Hi there! I’m continuing the new “feature” of this here blog: things to do (with your kids) this month.  It’s January, and it’s finally cold outside…even though it’ll be back up in the 50s this weekend. #iloveyouelnino. But, it'll be raining, and it's not typical, so these activities assume a reasonable amount of indoor time. We’re going with a celestial theme this month. Lou is always obsessed with all things space-related, and we’re also gearing up for her camping/outer space-themed birthday party in early February. If you think of it as gazing at the galaxies whilst toasting marshmallows over an open flame, this theme makes total sense.

To Do

1.       Play the Kerbal Space Program

Have you guys seen this? It’s amazing. It’s a flight simulator for a rocket launcher, very carefully designed to mimic the solar system, but on a shrunken scale, so the distances aren’t so daunting. Lou and Bret have spent hours on it so far this month, reworking math and flight plans in pursuit of a successful mission. It's not free: at $40, it might seem a little steep. But when you count the hours it can be played (multiplied by the number of kids/Brets you're dealing with) and the educational value, I think it's worth the price tag.

2.  Make a model solar system mobile.

Or just buy one. I spotted this guy at our local uber fancy toy store, and here's a similar one on Etsy. I also spotted one made with wire and beads, with tiny beads acting as Saturn's rings, which I am doing zero justice describing, and which I can’t get out of my head. It costs more than $200, and the felt version is more than $100, so I’m headed to the art store today for supplies for Lou and I to make our own. Can’t wait to share!

3. Make hot chocolate.

With cloud marshmallows. If you can’t find cloud marshmallows and are feeling ambitious, you can make your own marshmallows – it’s not that hard! The only tricky part is making sure that no egg yolks get into the darn things. Lou and I are total suckers for hot chocolate. And marshmallows. It's pretty much the only reason cold weather is acceptable, in our book. 

4. Make a rocket.

You know I never let a thing like the fact that it’s not Halloween stop the fun when it comes to costumes. Lou and West's great ones came from the Houston airport this summer. Costume or not, a rocket is easy to make and in order. You can make little ones out of old toilet paper tubes, or go big and do a kid-sized version. Set your kids up with some freeze dried food (like the yogurt bites my kids can’t get enough of) like astronauts eat and go take a nap.

To Watch

1. Crash Course Astronomy

I think I’ve mentioned that we’re really big fans of the Crash Course vlogs. A pair of brothers started making fun and informative videos on a range of topics, and a relative new comer is Phil Plait’s astronomy course.  We’ve been following along, but we’re starting anew this month, because we find them really fun. I can't recommend these videos enough: They're short, at about 13 minutes, but are conducive to binge watching if it's that kind of night; they're fun for the whole family; and you (I) don't feel any kind of guilt about having Louisa watch them. Cf Strawberry Shortcake.

2. The Martian.

So far, Bret and I have watched this. At almost five, I'm pretty sure Lou could handle it. It's got some swearing, and a little suspense, but I'd let Lou watch it. In any event our 10-year-old cousins love it, and loved the book (as did Bret and I), and it's easier to make impromptu edits as you're reading aloud a book, if you're worried your little one might not quite be ready for the film.

So that's it! Some mostly free activities that make the most out of the first month of real winter. December doesn't count; all that holiday happiness obscures the cold and makes people actually wish for snow. Now that we're all back to our senses, we need to get creative to ward off the winter blues! What are your favorite winter activities? Thanks for checking in and have a great weekend!