Friday, December 08, 2017
By Zoe Eisenberg
While cold weather often sends us scurrying indoors, it doesn't have to mean less time together as a family. Read on for a few fun, creative ways you can bond with your brood all winter long.Start a puzzle night. Do you have free table space in your home? Perhaps that formal dining table you rarely use, or a coffee table that can easily be moved into a corner. Choose a difficult puzzle and start a weekly "puzzle night" with the fam. Spend an hour or two once a week putting the pieces together, talking, drinking tea and warming yourself by a crackling fire.
Go for a walk. Wintry weather does not mean you can't spend any time outdoors. Simply bundle up and hit a favorite walking trail, or even loop around the block a few times. Make sure to wear proper footwear and check for trail safety before you go.
Cozy cooking. This is a fun way to inspire family bonding and meal prep for the week - perfect for the multi-tasker. Choose 2-3 new recipes every week, shop for the ingredients together, and then spend Sunday afternoon cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Soups and casseroles are great starters. Not only will you spend quality time together, but you'll have meals for the week.
Read alouds. While this is especially popular if you have young kids, adolescents and teens can also get down for a little read-a-long. Choose a book that everyone can enjoy, and spend a few evenings taking turns reading aloud by a cozy fire or over steaming mugs of cocoa.
Art night. If your family is artistic, stock up on art supplies and have a dedicated "art night" once a week, where you can paint, draw, sculpt or even paper mache.
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