There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than being cooped up inside during bad winter weather -- unless it’s being cooped up with kids who complain that they have nothing to do. When “I’m bored” syndrome strikes, try one of these fun-but-simple winter projects for kids to cure them.

Trash Art

Collect throwaway items -- such as recyclables, string, ribbon, clothes hangers and scraps of old clothing -- in reuseable shopping totes. Once you have a good assortment, get out the glue, tape (Scotch, masking or duct) and scissors and let your kids begin creating “trash art.” You’ll be amazed at what they come up with -- from robots to doll houses to 3-D collages.

Kool-aid Clay Dough

Between making the dough (with your help!) and then using it to create brilliant works of art, this one activity works double-time keeping kids occupied.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

2 packages unsweetened Kool-Aid

2 cups boiling hot water

2 tablespoons oil

Directions:

- Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.

- Bring water and oil to a boil.

- Pour boiling liquid mixture over dry ingredients and continue mixing until it forms a ball.

- Let cool. Remove from bowl, place on a hard surface and knead until smooth.

- Store in food-storage bags.

NOTE: This is not edible dough -- it only smells yummy!

Snow Cream

When your kids are done playing with the snow outside, they can bring some of it inside for a real treat!

Ingredients:

1/2 gallon clean snow (fill gallon-size storage bag halfway)

1/2 cup half-and-half

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

- Leave your snow in the food-storage bag or dump it into a large bowl.

- Add all other ingredients and knead the bag (wear gloves to protect hands) or mix in bowl with a spoon.

- Once mixed, it’s time to dig in!

Snow Painting

Ingredients:

Food coloring, various colors

Empty, plastic squirtable bottles (shampoo, ketchup or store-bought) -- one for each color you’d like to make

Water

Snow

Directions:

- Fill each squirtable bottle with water.

- Add 3 to 4 drops of food coloring.

- Close bottle and shake to create your colorful snow-paint.

- Bundle up and head outdoors to your snow-filled yard. Begin creating snow art, drawing and coloring by squirting your paint into the snow!

 

Trisha Novotny is the creator of 24/7 Moms, a blog that offers fun, keeping-it-simple ideas to make every moment as a mom count.

 

Available at Amazon.com:

The Family Dinner: Great Ways to Connect with Your Kids, One Meal at a Time

Nutrition at Your Fingertips

Cookoff: Recipe Fever in America

The Ultimate Birthday Party Book: 50 Complete and Creative Themes to Make Your Kid's Special Day Fantastic!

Organized Kidz: E-Z Solutions for Clutter-Free Living

The Mom's Guide to Growing Your Family Green

Sara Snow's Fresh Living: The Essential Room-by-Room Guide to a Greener, Healthier Family and Home

The Language of Interior Design

The Get Organized Answer Book: Practical Solutions for 275 Questions on Conquering Clutter, Sorting Stuff, and Finding More Time and Energy

 

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