Cabin Fever-Fighting Tips for the Winter
You’ve built the snowman. You’ve made the cocoa. You’ve read the same three board books six times, watched Frozen again, and you’re now considering a second bath just to pass the time.
Winter with little kids is no joke.
The days are short, the energy is high, and the walls feel like they’re closing in. Cabin fever isn’t just real — it’s personal.
If you’re deep in the winter trenches and counting the minutes until nap time (or bedtime, or daylight savings), you’re not alone.
Here are a bunch of realistic, easy-to-implement tips for surviving — and maybe even enjoying — the cozy chaos of a PNW winter.
1. Burn Energy with “Tiny Obstacle Courses”
If you’ve got couch cushions and masking tape, you’ve got a gym.
Try:
Hop over pillows
Crawl under tables
Jump to a taped “X”
Toss a stuffed animal into a laundry basket
Crab walk or bear crawl across the room
You don’t need a giant playroom — just a space to wiggle out the wiggles.
2. Turn Chores Into Games
Before you roll your eyes — hear us out. Kids LOVE pretend play. Add a timer, a silly hat, or a made-up name like “Laundry Rangers,” and you’ve got a chore-turned-adventure.
Ideas:
Sock matching challenge
Toy rescue mission from under the couch
Sweep-the-floor shuffle race
“Put away 10 things before the music stops”
It’s not perfect — but it gets stuff done and adds a little fun to the monotony.
3. Stock a “Boredom Basket”
Fill a basket (or large bin) with:
Coloring books
Stickers
Pipe cleaners
Painter’s tape
Reusable activity pads
Dot markers
Playdough or kinetic sand (if you’re feeling brave)
Only pull it out when the kids are really antsy — it’ll feel like treasure. Bonus: Keep it fresh by rotating supplies every few weeks.
4. Use Screen Time Strategically
We’re not here to shame the screen — we’re here to help you make it count.
Try:
Dance videos or yoga for kids (Cosmic Kids Yoga, Koo Koo Kanga Roo)
Audiobooks or Bible story apps during quiet time
“Draw with me” videos to get kids creating, not just zoning out
FaceTime with grandparents or cousins
Screen time isn’t the enemy — it’s the how and when that matters.
5. Lean Into Long-Form Play
Not everything has to be high energy. Some kids love:
Fort building (with snacks and flashlights)
Cardboard box towns or mazes
Setting up pretend stores, kitchens, or doctor’s offices
Puzzles, sticker books, or LEGO time
The magic phrase:
“I’m going to set this up — and then you get to play by yourself for a while!”
Kids love a “reset activity,” and you just might score some solo coffee time.
6. Create a Weekly Theme
Give the week a theme like:
“Animal Week” — crafts, books, movies, and games all about animals
“Snow Week” — make fake snow, watch Happy Feet, read winter books
“Outer Space” — tin foil stars, paper towel tube rockets, space music playlist
You don’t have to be a preschool teacher — just offer a loose idea and follow your child’s curiosity.
7. Get Out of the House (Even for 20 Minutes)
Sometimes, the only way to beat cabin fever is to leave the cabin.
Try:
A walk around the block — in pajamas, rainboots, or snow gear
A drive-thru coffee date with the kids (bring books or snacks in the car!)
Running into Fred Meyer to “find three red things”
Visiting a new-to-you playground, even in the cold
Bundle up, keep expectations low, and remember: fresh air = fresh attitude.
8. Have a “Toy Store Day” at Home
Put half your toys in storage — and rotate them back in later like new.
Even better: Set out a few toys or games your kids haven’t seen in a while on a blanket or tray and call it a “toy store.” Let them “shop” from the display.
It’s magic — and it works almost every time.
9. Use the Library Like a Mom Hack
Your local library is more than books — it’s a treasure trove for winter survival.
Try:
Attending a free story time
Picking out new books and DVDs to rotate
Checking the event calendar for indoor craft days or sensory play sessions
Doing a library “scavenger hunt” (find a book with a bear, a red cover, etc.)
Libraries are cozy, calm, and FREE. Bless them.
10. Give the Season Some Structure
Cabin fever often peaks when days blur together. Adding a bit of rhythm can help.
Try:
“Monday Morning Muffins” — a breakfast treat tradition
“Wacky Wednesday” — wear silly socks, talk in accents, eat dinner backward
“Friday Fort Day” — blanket forts and movie night
Kids thrive with rhythm — and so do moms.
Final Thought
You don’t have to fill every moment with magic. You don’t need a new Pinterest craft every day. You just need a few go-to ideas in your back pocket — and permission to let things be a little loud, a little messy, and a lot real.
Winter will pass. The snow will melt. The sun will come back.
But until then, try one thing from this list — and give yourself a high-five for making it one more day.
