Sometimes it’s hard to get out of that winter blues funk. Without the excitement of the holidays, snow and sub-zero temperatures lose their appeal and winter quickly becomes monotonous.
Luckily, Make It Better has a wealth of ideas to keep you occupied — some indoors, some outdoors, some a little out there and some that take no effort at all. Try to tackle them all and spring will be here before you know it.
1. Have a snowball fight.
2. Go sledding.
3. Go ice skating at an outdoor rink.
4. Grab a mug full of hot chocolate.
5. Host a dance party.
6. Cuddle up with some one you love.
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Children’s Museum.
7. Take the kids to an indoor play space. (Check out our list of nine great ones.)
8. Have some fun outdoors while getting in your daily cardio. (Here are six calorie-melting winter workouts that have a definite fun factor.)
9. Watch “Frozen.”
10. And after that little bit of inspiration, build a snowman.
11. Take the time to organize your home. (Here’s how to do it in seven days.)
12. Read a new book. (We have a few suggestions, from our favorite fictional marriages to some of the best books of 2015.)
13. Indulge in one of the best bowls of mac and cheese in town.
14. Try a new restaurant, perhaps from our list of 20 great seafood restaurants or 15 South Side restaurants.
15. Buy something on Shop For Good and support a local nonprofit.
16. Play a game. (Here are five options you may enjoy.)
17. Get cozy and watch one of these films.
18. Put down your phone and unplug for an entire day. (Could your phone could be ruining your relationships?)
19. Try a subscription box. You don’t even have to leave the house for these suggestions.
20. Go green by swapping out the cleaning products you’re using.
Tribune Tower (Photo by Heather Leszczewicz.)
21. Go on a day trip. We have our DayTripper Guide handy.
22. Drive around and look at the pretty lights before they come down.
23. Bake cookies.
24. Make paper snowflakes.
25. Donate a pair of mittens.
26. Make snow ice cream with freshly fallen snow.
27. Serve breakfast in bed.
Curried Cauliflower Soup (Photo by Kerri Sherman.)
28. Make soup. We have 10 great recipes.
29. Round up things in your home to donate.
30. Write a letter. People appreciate a physical piece of mail.
31. Learn a new skill, like knitting.
32. Go to your local library.
33. Try stargazing.
34. Go to a museum.
35. Go to the zoo (on a warm day).
36. See a show.
37. Shovel your neighbor’s walkway or parking space.
38. Visit a brewery.
39. Go wine tasting.
40. Volunteer at a local shelter.
41. Send us your events.
42. Bring treats to your office.
43. Buy your pet a treat.
44. Have a family pizza party and try making your own.
45. Visit the Bean when it’s covered in snow.
46. Go bowling.
47. Be a tourist in your own town.
48. Make an igloo.
49. On a freezing day, try making steam by throwing boiling water in the air. Just make sure you do this safely.
View from Flinders Chase National Park in Australia. (Photo by Amber Gibson.)
50. Plan your summer or spring vacation. (How about South Australia, Ireland or one of these spots for a girls getaway?)
51. Have a “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and/or “Lord of the Rings” marathon.
52. Meditate by trying out a coloring book.
53. Try making ice balloons.
54. Enjoy those candles you never light or buy a new scent.
55. Take down your decorations.
56. Make a resolution.
57. Break a resolution.
58. Complete a resolution.
59. Write something — a haiku, a script, a book.
60. Binge-watch a show on Netflix. (Here are 10 that are worth your time.)
61. Take an acting class. (Find out more about the Actors Training Center in Wilmette.)
62. Do yoga with your pet.
63. Call a loved one you don’t see very often.
64. Bundle up and go to the beach.
65. Go thrifting.
66. Check something off your bucket list.
Plant pot rings vertical container garden at Harvest Juicery. Photo courtesy of Bottle&Branch. Photo by Nicole Radja.
67. Try creating a vertical garden.
68. Sing karaoke.
69. Try a new recipe. (How about one of these five dinners you can make from pantry staples?)
70. Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
71. Warm up with a Winter Sangria.
72. Try organizing your mudroom or entryway.
73. Get started with the stock market. (Have questions? Here’s a beginner’s guide.)
74. Watch a documentary. (10 worth your time.)
75. Partake in high tea.
76. Try listening to a new podcast.
77. Buy yourself some flowers to brighten up your space.
78. Get ready to spring clean.
Photo courtesy of Social Print Studio.
79. Tackle all those digital photos you have floating around.
80. Work on potty training the little ones in your life.
81. Try out a high-tech parenting tool.
82. Work on reading with your child.
83. Pamper yourself at retail or beauty hotspots.
84. Meditate.
85. Work on making your home cozy.
86. Go for a brisk walk around the block.
87. Try out a new social network.
Photo by Kerri Sherman.
88. Throw a dinner party. Don’t forget the cheese platter.
89. Make sure your home is up on its winter maintenance.
90. Host a sleepover for your kids and their friends.
91. Transform an empty room into one you will use.
92. Have a create-your-own-pasta party with a variety of noodles, sauces and cheeses.
93. Find a local fundraiser to support.
94. Work on your skin regimen and make sure you’re eating the right foods.
95. Get healthy and active! (You can turn to our Best of 2015 Fitness & Recreation winners.)
96. Find something you normally don’t clean and do that. The baseboards, your electronics, etc.
97. Work on your stress levels.
98. Ready to make a change at work? Tackle your resume.
99. Sign your kids up for camp.
100. Spend time with your family. Don’t worry about needing to do things with them. Just enjoy their company.
If you have other great ideas, leave a note in the comments!
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