Winter wonders
Six simple ideas for family fun this winter

The Duracells are dead, and the holiday leftovers have long since left. That’s full-blown winter howling at the door, and your family teeters on the edge of cabin fever. But what seems like the worst of times can become the best.

From snow days to slow days, winter provides a fantastic opportunity for some good, old-fashioned family bonding. Modern Woodmen of America’s Gatherings Web site is filled with ideas  for family fun, including some great indoor activities. Here’s a sampling - no batteries required.

1. Indoor snowball throw

Supplies: tissue paper-wadded like snowballs, a line drawn or taped on the floor

How to Play: Create two teams. Set a timer for 2-3 minutes and yell, "Go!" Each team throws its tissue paper snowballs back and forth across the line. When the timer goes off, the team with the least amount of snowballs on their side wins.

2. Board game blitz

It’s the perfect time of year for family game night. Girls vs. boys, kids vs. adults, one-on-one or all together now; choose one of the new holiday gift games you received or stick with an old standby. Order a pizza and let the competition begin!

3. Frosty

Supplies: rolls of bathroom tissue, sheets of orange, black, red and yellow construction, hats and scissors for each team

How to play: Create as many teams as possible. Each team designates one member as Frosty. The other team members will wrap Frosty in the tissue, leaving an opening for nose and eyes. They can then use the hat and construction paper to decorate him/her. This leads to great opportunities for photos and even prizes for the first completed Frosty, most unique Frosty, ugliest Frosty, cutest Frosty, etc. Set a time limit and let the decorating begin!

4. Snowball relay race

Supplies: foam balls, pencils

How to Play: Divide into teams. Give the first player on each team a foam ball (snowball) and a pencil. The player places the ball on the floor and pushes it with the pencil across the room, around an obstacle, and back to next player on team. The first team to finish wins.

5. Unwrap the gift

Supplies: box filled with candy or other treat or surprise, wrapped many times with different layers of paper; music source

How to Play: Players sit in a circle on the floor. While the music is playing, the present is passed around the circle. When the music stops, one layer of wrapping paper is removed. The music begins again and the process continues until the box is completely unwrapped. The box is then opened and everyone shares the candy!

6. Memory lane

There’s nothing like warm memories on a cold day. Get out the popcorn, haul out the photo albums and family videos and reminisce about the best books and films around – those starring your own family.

More family fun ideas.