February often gets a bad rap - short days, chilly weather, and that post-holiday slump can make it feel a bit dreary. To fight the February funk, I took inspiration from mine and my kids’ favourite outdoor activities and set up a rotation of indoor recreations to retain their excitement. It helps me and them, and I’ll never say no to a night of getting cosy and spending quality time together. And honestly, with the right mix of activities (and a few cosy essentials), these indoor days have become some of our favourites.
Let me take you through our schedule last week, when we turned a grey, gloomy week into a string of fun and memorable moments.
Baking Cookies: Sweet Beginnings
We kicked off the week in the kitchen with a cookie-baking session. Everyone had a role: while my eldest handled the dry ingredients, my youngest measured sugar and chocolate chips – well he tried his very best. They took turns cracking the eggs, but I alone fished out the many tiny bits of shell. Handy Plastic Food Storage Jars made the whole process much easier. These kitchen-essentials are perfect for holding flour, sugar, and all those chocolate chips we add to the mix. We even used one to store the cookies after they cooled (though they didn’t stay in there for long).
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Blanket Fort Extravaganza
The next day, we turned the living room into a fortress – the kind you remember making when you were younger. Armed with dining chairs, throws, cushions, and plenty of imagination, we created a sprawling blanket fort that could rival a castle. The Supersoft Throws from Brentfords and the Tassel Sherpa Throws from OHS were two of the many kinds we had in our arsenal, perfect both for draping over the chairs and over ourselves, assisted by some cuddle cushions and regular cushions to soften our landing. If I do say so myself, it resulted in the picture-perfect place to kick back.
We spent hours inside, telling stories and playing games, all the while laughing at our creative and cosy endeavour. I really felt like a kid again, and the best part was seeing how much joy something so simple brought to all of us.
Shop Cushions, Throws and Cuddle Cushions.
Family Dance Party
Midweek, we turned up the energy with a family dance party. It’s so easy nowadays with karaoke and music accessible right from our TV. All we did was clear the floor and lay down the 9 Piece Interlocking Teddy Tiles, which made for a soft, slip-proof surface and provided good insulation from the cold. The kids loved showing off their routines, while I dusted off my old moves – poorly, much to their amusement.
I find it hard to get the kids to move their bodies and exercise when it’s so cold outside. Sneaking some of that activity in through a fun dance party helps to get their heart rates up and is a good way to release energy.
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Puzzles & Quiet Time
Later in the week, we slowed things down with some quiet puzzle time. We spread out a giant puzzle on the floor, surrounded by light snacks and cosy essentials, and got to work. This was another activity where we got use out of our cuddle cushions and throws; versatile products that come in super handy across any activities. We pieced together our puzzle and babbled about everything and nothing. That evening was definitely one of our more relaxing ones, albeit wholesome and fun. We typically need a more chill, mid-week activity to decompress and gear up for the weekend to come.
Movie Night Magic
To close out the week, we had our classic movie night. The living room transformed into a cinema with the help of our Teddy Fleece Throw and a few wearable blankets for the kids and ourselves. The rest of the cookies were passed around, and everyone found their cosy spot.
As always, the kids picked the film, but the real highlight for me was the atmosphere we created - dimmed lights, soft blankets, and a few of my favourite candles made for a very relaxing and, more importantly, quiet evening.
Making the Most of February
This week of indoor fun reminded me how little bursts of fun activities can turn an otherwise gloomy month into something special. With a little effort and the right mix of cosy cushions, warm throws, and family-friendly activities, February has become a time to connect, laugh, and enjoy the comfort of home.
So, if you’re feeling stuck this season, I encourage you to embrace the indoor days. With the right mindset (and maybe a cookie or two), they can be the most memorable moments of the year.
Find affordable essentials for a fab time this February!