How to Cope With Cabin Fever

Put jigsaw puzzles together based on the ages of your family members. This is an activity in which everyone can participate and is good for improving hand-eye coordination as well as organizational skills. A completed puzzle can also be mounted and/or framed at a later date as a decorative home accent.

Play board games. Take turns choosing the game to play and offer prizes for the winner to choose from. Prizes could include snacks, money or coupons for who gets out of taking the trash or who gets to decide what movies to watch.

Produce a family version of "American's Got Talent." Each family member chooses a song, dance routine, creates a puppet show, or other form of entertainment to perform. Have practice sessions and include costuming and props to enhance the performances. Video tape performances to actually create a show to watch with an emcee and commercials.

Search through your cookbook (or surf the web) to find a new recipe for the family to try. Children usually love to help in the kitchen, especially when it involves food they get to eat. You could choose several new dishes and prepare an entire meal from entree to dessert.