How To Help Your Kids Have Fun And Learn This Winter
Cabin Fever: How To Help Your Kids Have Fun And Learn This Winter
Cabin fever is a common affliction in kids and even adults when winter rolls in and the weather presents a problem. For those who love spending time outdoors, deep freezes and snowstorms can cause quite a few issues, especially when school is called off. Even the most well-behaved children can become irritable and bored pretty quickly when faced with a long, unstructured day, leaving frustrated and stressed-out parents in their wake.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can stop that boredom in its tracks and maybe even get your kiddos to learn a few things. Using the Internet to your advantage when wintery days are too blustery for kids to play outside can help fend off cabin fever and give some structure to the day, which many kids need (although some may be reluctant to admit it). Here, you’ll find a guide to some of the best online activities for young people when Mother Nature brings on the snow.
Make learning fun
For younger kids especially, there are a huge amount of learning resources online that are disguised as fun. PBSKids.org gives you access to several shows, games, videos, and sing-a-longs, all of which can help your little one pass the time in a productive way.
For older kids, think of ways you can sneak in a little practical learning by tailoring their online experience to their needs. Does your son need to work on his math skills? Check out this incredibly detailed guide, which has resources listed for varying grade levels and will help you find the best ways to get your child interested in math, such as integrating science experiments and technology into a lesson.
Get exotic
Kids of all ages love animals, so what better way to spend a cold day at home than by learning about exotic wildlife? National Geographic has a site just for kids that has a ton of games, fun animal facts, photography tips, an online science lab, videos, and even sample book pages. Challenge your kids to learn new facts about their favorite animal and then quiz them later to see how much they remember.
Experiment
Most kids are fascinated by science, especially when it involves experiments that allow them to learn using all five senses. Did you know that you probably have all the ingredients for a really cool experiment in your kitchen at this moment? Check out this magical, colorful trick here and record the process on video to impress your friends and family.
Get musical
Music speaks to all age groups, so search for an online tutorial on how to sing or play an instrument. Don’t have one handy? Make your own percussion section with plastic spoons, tape, plastic Easter eggs, and some rice. Younger kids will especially love the DIY aspect, and you can start your own family band!
Get weird
Everyone loves learning strange and interesting facts about the way the world works, so head to HowStuffWorks.com to find out why dogs eat grass and whether you can sneeze in space. Your kids will have fun sharing their newfound knowledge when they go back to school, and it will keep them entertained for hours.
Find some culture
If you can’t get to Paris, bring Paris to you! Thanks to modern technology, you can now tour the Louvre online and learn all about the famous Mona Lisa, among other beautiful works of art. Virtual tours are a great way to get your child interested in art history, and it’s something you can do together.
The key to having happy kiddos during long winter days is simply finding out what interests them and integrating those interests with something fun. With the entire Internet at your disposal, there’s no limit to what you and your child can find.
