Winter Survival Tips from Moms Group Founders

Meet some of the savviest parents across the U.S. They dish on what to do to keep your kids busy -- indoors and out -- all season long.

By Gabby Cullen November 11, 2014

Your #1 winter goal: beat cabin fever! We want to help, so we tapped into parents who are head honchos on the parent support circuit. Click through our flipbook to meet moms group founders across the U.S. They dish on how to keep kids not only entertained, but ecstatic, when the weather doesn’t agree.

Janu Viswanatha – Lake Oswego Moms Club

In Portland, Oregon, Janu Viswanatha has a ton of helpful hints for moms to stay sane during the cold winter months. “Weekends for us mean family time! We have living room dance parties, play imagination games like building forts to hide from the dragons. I also have an emergency box of busy bags, and lots of learning activities," she says.

Some favorite winter rituals include playing in the snow, heading into the mountains for the perfect Christmas tree, and baking cookies as gifts for teachers and neighbors. What about the all-important emergency winter gear? Head lamps, flash lights, batteries, holiday movies and books, and art supplies all make her list.

Janu also has other great ideas. “We head up to the mountain to play in snow if it's just raining here. Besides that we go to indoor play places and if it's not too rainy or too cold it's fun to bundle up and hit the zoo."

But the best solution: a play date with friends! "Friends that they play well with so the moms can sit and chat, and the kids are quietly playing together. It's awesome for everyone.”

Find out more about Lake Oswego Mothers Club by clicking here.