Got the cold weather blues? Tired of keeping the kids in when it's cold and snowy outside? Since we can't change what's going on outside, we'll have to create a change of scenery inside! Here are some cabin fever relievers to help you get through the winter:

Make Play Clay
Children will have hours of fun with this non-toxic clay that they help make! In a large, heavy pan, mix 3 cups flour, 3 tablespoons alum (found in the spice section of your supermarket), and 1½ cups of salt. Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 3 cups of water. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from the heat and cool. Divide into quarters and place each quarter into a clear plastic bag to protect children's skin and the kitchen counter from the food coloring. Make a depression in the middle of the clay in each bag and add four to six drops of food coloring. Children can help you squeeze the plastic bags to mix the color. Seal in airtight jars or heavy plastic bags when not being used.

Huff and Puff!
Clear a table and have the children stand at each side. Put five cotton balls about 4 inches apart down the middle of the table. The children on each side try to blow the cotton balls off the opposite side of the table. To add more fun, tell the story of The Three Little Pigs on the day you play this game.

Day Camp
When outdoor fun must wait for another day, take children "camping" inside! Throw a blanket over a table to form a tent. Fold up one side onto the table so children can crawl in and out. Talk about the items you will need for your camp out: flashlight, blanket, play food, or firewood. Sit inside together and use a flashlight for storytime. Send children out for firewood (use building logs or unsharpened pencils), then pretend to cook a meal over the campfire.

Cup Pyramid
Find as many small empty plastic cups as you can to have the children build a cup pyramid!

Matching Mittens
On a wintry day, have children put their mittens or gloves on the center of a table. If there are no mittens available, have the children make their own using child-safe scissors and construction paper of different colors. Be sure both mittens match. Take one mitten from each pair and go into another room to hide them. Then call in the children to find their mittens. Take turns hiding the mittens.

Play with Big or Small Boxes
Don't forget how much fun children have creating toys with old boxes. It's amazing what they can come up with: With big boxes, kids build telephones booths, boats, easels, starry nights, farms, or doll houses. With small boxes, children create musical instruments, stop lights, memory boxes, gifts, peek-a-boos, or stacking games.

For more ideas on rainy day activities check out
Cabin Fever Relievers by Tina Koch and Mary-Lane Kamberg
Play with Small Boxes and Play with Big Boxes both books by Liz and Dick Wilmes
Visit PBS on the Internet at http://www.pbs.org/kids/