Even if you’re a winter sports buff, you probably spend a lot more time indoors during cold weather and shorter days. If cabin fever is setting in, don’t despair! There are plenty of indoor activities that can stop you from going stir-crazy and keep you busy until spring. Here are ten ideas for keeping boredom at bay…you may even be sorry to see winter end!

1. Break out a board game or jigsaw puzzle. They may seem outdated in this brave new world of electronic pastimes, but board games and puzzles engage your mind in a way that video games can’t. Best of all, they bring families together – instead of one person focused on a computer or TV screen, you get to interact with your family, enjoying the game and sharing the day’s happenings. Even if you’re the only one at home, the satisfaction you’ll get from completing a 1,000-piece jigsaw or a tricky crossword will outweigh what you get from watching a rerun! (Shop Games at Solutions.)
2. Try a new recipe. Remember Sunday afternoons baking cookies with your mother or grandmother? The kids can experience that same pleasure with you! Worried about nutrition? Give them two cookies each as a treat and take the rest to a homebound relative or friend – the kids get to experience the enjoyment of baking with you, a small treat for themselves, and the satisfaction of giving to others. No kids in the nest? Recruit your spouse and try a new or complicated recipe, or just experiment on your own. (Check out or recipes section for new ideas!)
3. Map out your spring garden. It’s too soon to start planting, but thinking about flowers and plants will make spring seem closer. Whether you aim for a prize vegetable patch or a balcony full of colorful window boxes and planters, start planning your spring garden on paper, using seed catalogs and browsing gardening sites online for ideas. (Shop Yard, Garden, and Patio at Solutions.)
4. Plan your vacation. Anticipation is part of the fun! Sit down with your spouse, your kids or just yourself and consider what you’d like to do on your yearly trip. Figure out a budget and gather information on different places (contact the tourism office in the state you plan to visit), or do an online search to find out what activities an area has to offer. Remember, it’s not too soon to make reservations for vacation hot spots. Summer won’t seem so far off when you’re planning your destination wardrobe!
5. Plan a “date” night with your spouse or family once a week. Prepare a gourmet dinner, set the table with your best linens and fine china, light some candles and spend some quality time with the love of your life! Or rent a film the whole family can enjoy, and treat the kids to popcorn, pizza and root beer floats.
6. Gather photos into an album or start a scrapbook. Do you have packets of photos stored in a box or drawer? Is your computer full of digital pictures you’ve been meaning to print? Organize them into albums so everyone can enjoy the memories…even make a scrapbook.
7. Catch up on correspondence. It’s easy to lose touch with long-distance friends or family when things get busy. Set aside some time to catch up and send a long e-mail, or, better still, a letter – people still welcome snail mail, and a hand-written letter can be a treasure loved ones will keep forever. If you don’t have the time or the words to write a lengthy letter, send a fun or touching greeting card with a short note.
8. Join an online community. Harsh weather keeping you from getting out? Find some new pals online! While it’s important to guard your identity, many online communities require users to become members in order to take part. Once you’ve done so, create a profile to connect with people around the world who share your interests. You can trade photos, share ideas or just chat.
9. Start a craft project. Knitting, crochet, sewing…fabric arts have seen a resurgence in popularity, and it’s surprisingly easy to get started. Magazines with simple instructions can be found in most supermarkets, and many community colleges, yarn and crafts stores offer adult classes. Try needlepoint, cross-stitch, scrapbooking or rubber stamping…your hands and mind will stay busy, and you’ll have something fun to show for your work when the winter is over! (Shop for Craft Organizers at Solutions.)
10. Get a head start on spring-cleaning. Get a jump on your spring-cleaning ahead of time! You won’t be able to whip the yard into shape, but you can organize your closets, pantry, home office…even the attic or garage on warmer days. Skip cleaning the carpets until after the weather clears, but go ahead and touch up the paint on the walls.