Fun Family Activities to Beat Cabin Fever

If you live in an area where there are four seasons (Winter, Still Winter, Almost Winter, and Construction) then you might know a thing or two about cabin fever... those long months when you forget how miserable the summer heat felt and just wish there was something fun to do.

Severe cases of cabin fever can be referred to as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which is a form of depression that concurs with the seasons.

No matter how serious the "blah" feeling may be... it's easy to overcome cabin fever by forgetting that it's not summer.

There are two major differences between summer and winter weather, and the first relates to how bright and colorful the warmer months are. There's nothing you can do about the cloudy, gray weather but the second change is the difference between pleasantly warm and bitterly cold.

It's easy to list your favorite things about warmer weather, but cabin fever is the result of not listing your favorite things about the winter. Maybe you don't enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or sledding. Maybe you've never tried these activities (in which case, you should...) but there have to be some things that you enjoy about winter.

You're never too old to make a snowman, or an entire family of snowmen standing outside an igloo home. Playing in the snow is just one thing that can get you out of the house and keep you active... preventing cabin fever from ever catching.

Even though it's cold outside, you can still dress warmly and go for a nice walk. For those who are just too stubborn to get out there and smell the ice... there are other ways to entertain yourself inside and ward off cabin fever.

Playing Games... Even if They are Corny

I shouldn't have to give you a list of games to play... there are millions of options! From card games and board games to Charades... even games you make up on the spot... there are unlimited choices that will entertain your family during the cold months.

To make it even more entertaining, challenge your family to play a game that you wouldn't ordinarily play... and make up your own rules as you go.

Cabin Fever Camp Stories

Sip hot cocoa in place of s'mores, sit in on the living room floor (instead of around a campfire) and go around in a circle telling part of a story. Reach an interesting point in your story, and pass it on to the next person to continue. This can be more fun than Mad Libs!

Clean the House

Okay, maybe this isn't such an entertaining idea, but you can get a head start on spring cleaning by assigning a different room for every family member to gut out and put back together. In the process, you may find forgotten treasures that can brighten up your day.

Play Hide and Go Seek

Another thing that the foolish think they have outgrown... hide and go seek is entertaining for all ages. If you have younger children, turn off all the lights and hand the little one a flashlight. Don't hide too well... but you'll have a lot of fun, I promise!

Join a Club

Keeping active during the winter is important to prevent cabin fever, or even a mild case of the winter blues. You can find a local gym which offers a heated swimming pool and forget that it's not summer for a while... and there are many other activities with a gym that will also help you avoid gaining those extra pounds that cabin fever leaves behind.

Use Your Own Interests to Create a List

Start now, before the first snow falls, and you'll be armed with enough ideas to keep you occupied. Cabin fever can happen to anybody, and it could happen to you if you don't protect yourself!