Winter is upon us and we are going to get through it. Here are ideas for ushering your family through the wintertime with some healthy habits that will hopefully promote peace and well-being in your homes.
Indoor games
The draw of the sofa/snuggle/screentime trifecta is strong this time of year. And while I have no problem with me or my kids indulging in an afternoon with a throw blanket and a good movie, the appeal is lost when it’s an everyday activity. In your resistance against becoming “couch people,” consider indoor games as an alternative to screens. Whether it’s a board game, card game or even an active video game (I know, but sometimes you have to meet them where they are at), mixing things up with a little friendly competition will break up the day and get minds and bodies moving. And speaking of moving, it’s pretty easy these days to stream a family friendly workout or dance video. Enlist your kids’ suggestions and try something new.
Nature play
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” according to an old Norwegian saying. Now, there can be some truly terrible winter weather in central Illinois, so feel free to ignore this one during a polar vortex, but there is something to be said for getting outdoors in the winter. Winter nature play can involve sledding, hiking, bird watching, animal tracking, fort building, kicking a ball, biking, playing in the ice or anything your family enjoys. Everyone is usually better off after they’ve spent some time outdoors, and kids especially benefit from open air play in nature. Grab your hats, gloves and coats, and make it a priority to get outside in winter.
Eat well
This is definitely the hardest one for me in the winter. In the summertime, I often bring home loads of fresh fruit and vegetables from the farmers market and wonder: “What do we even eat in the wintertime?” Truly. What do we eat in the wintertime? Perhaps you have the type of children who will happily slurp down soup filled with “weird stuff” (cooked vegetables), but here in our house, eating well is much more basic – raw fruits and veggies on a plate next to a comforting main course. It’s OK if incorporating fruits and vegetables isn’t very exciting this time of year – it’ll be summer again one day.
Maintain routines, including rest
Now that the hustle and bustle late-night gatherings of the holidays are behind us, this one is probably easier to do. Maintaining our regular rest routine is important for staying both physically and mentally healthy. This goes for kids as well as adults. Don’t stay up past your bedtime, ignore devices before bed and try to listen to your body to give it the rest it needs.
Stay prepared for illness
Make sure your home pharmacies are stocked with fever and pain-reducing meds, as well as hydrating bonuses like Popsicles or sports drinks should you be hit by high fevers, or worse, the dreaded stomach bug. Preemptively clean out your humidifiers, and consider whether an indoor air purifier would be a worthwhile purchase for your family. Alternatively, open the windows for ventilation when you have a sick family member, or if the house simply feels a little stuffy. Follow your doctor’s recommendations, and wash your hands.
Boost mood
I don’t know about you, but if I am reading a book or watching a show that is a little dark during winter, there goes my mood down into the deep dark doldrums right along with it. Since everything in the news seems to be – well, a lot – it’s up to us parents to purposefully seek out and choose upbeat books, crafts, music, television and movies for us and our kiddos. I do believe that changing our inputs can change the energy of our homes, and making the choice to focus on positivity when it is possible will benefit our mental health. And while you are at it, stay offline when you can.
Take it easy
It’s winter. The days are weird. People are sick. The world is hard. We might slip some days. Keep trying. We are building strong and healthy families that prioritize love, care and well-being, and we are doing it together.
Pamela Savage is a freelance writer in Springfield. She is routinely befuddled by what to make for dinner in the wintertime.
This article appears in January 22 – 26, 2026.
