Holiday break can test the patience of any parent, especially if you live somewhere cold and get stuck inside. If you have a child with ADHD, the laid-back structure and inability to run off energy is a recipe for disaster. The key to your survival is have things to do at home with plans to get out of the house peppered in.

Try some of these at home activities for those days when leaving home just won\’t fit into the schedule.

1. Cookie decorating. Buy some pre-made dough, frosting, sprinkles, colored sugars, etc and get the kids creating their edible masterpieces. If you want to make your own dough, spread it out over a couple days by baking the cookies one day and decorating on a different day.
2. Soccer in the snow. Put a twist on your favorite sports by playing them in the snow. Football and baseball are also great for adapting to the snow.
3. Yoga/meditation. Teach your kids to meditate and be more mindful. You’ll be amazed now much difference just 10 minutes of quiet can make in the day.
4. Obstacle course. You can build this inside or outside. If you have some snow outside, use the snow to build obstacles. Don’t forget to time each other.
5. Paint the snow. Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring and get painting. No snow, it works on the sidewalk or the side of the house and washes away in the rain.
6. Board games. There are so many to choose from. Try some that get everyone moving like, Cranium Hullabaloo, Twister, or Guesstures.
7. Fort building. There is so much potential in a few blankets, pillows, the dining room table and the couches. Don’t forget the binder clips! Or take the building outside and create snow forts.
8. Mazes in the snow. Once the kids finish shoveling the snow, set them loose creating mazes in the yard.
9. Take pictures of the winter landscape. Each season offers a unique landscape. Take a walk around the neighborhood and capture the beauty of the season.
10. Stacking contest. Start some friendly competition and see who can make the highest stack of Legos, blocks, boxes, cups, etc. before it tumbles.
11. Make paper snowflakes. Kids can happily occupy themselves cutting out dozens of unique paper snowflakes and hanging them all over the house creating a snowstorm.
12. Dance party. Have each member of the family choose their favorite song and M.C. a round of Freeze Dance. Freeze in your current position when the music stops and hold it until the music starts again.
13. Coloring wall. Cover the walls and tables with big white paper and let the kids loose with markers to color all over the paper.
14. Pull a Switcheroo. Had enough of winter break? Send your kids to a friend’s house for the day. Take her kids another day.
15. Host a Happy Noon Year Party. Help the kids ring in the new year without having to throw bedtime off. Make a balloon drop and noisemakers and do the countdown earlier in the day.

The key to keeping your sanity this winter break is to just have a plan for what you are going to do to keep everyone busy and engaged. Which of these suggestions are you going to fit into your plan? Share in the comments below.