Got the Winter Blahs? Here Are 7 Ideas To Turn That Frown Upside Down

We've got you covered with these fun family activities to get you out of that winter funk!

Winter blues got you feeling down? Don't fret! My family is finding all the ways possible to keep us warm, cozy, and entertained this February — from festival fun to virtual events to counting birds (yes you read that right) as a unique way of exploring our surroundings. 'Tis also Valentine season, so why not show your kids some extra love by giving them plenty of hugs and treats before Valentine's Day rolls around?! Let's stay cheerful together during these waning weeks of winter!❤️

1. Lighting up at this one-of-a-kind festival

In the DC area? Time is running out on the amazing Winter Lantern Festival! Get there before it ends Feb. 12 and use code KIDFUN to save 30% on tickets. Check out CertifiKID.com for all the details and make your plan!

@macaronikidnational Take the entire family to the Winter Lantern Festival at Lerner Town Square with 𝟯𝟬% 𝗢𝗳𝗳 on CertifiKID.com ✨ DEAL LINK: https://bit.ly/3Dch53b #winterfun #familyfun #macKID #lanternfestival #lightshow #fyp #explore #newadventures ♬ It's a Beautiful Day - Michael Bublé

2. Don't miss this toddler superstar lineup

It's a toddler all-star lineup at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture this month. They're hosting a fun kids' series for Black History Month celebrating movie and TV characters while also introducing kids to people in real-life careers that they can aspire to! Each event also includes a hands-on activity. All are free but require registration, so sign up now!

Celebrate FroZone, and meet a Black ice skater. Figure skater and coach Joel Savary will talk about how to skate, share what he loves about the sport, and answer questions live. Feb. 10
Celebrate Princess Tiana and meet a Black chef. Chef Scotty Scott will share his love for cooking and the special way food brings people together and answer questions live! Feb. 13
Celebrate Doc McStuffins and get to know a Black doctor. Doctor Maia McCuiston will teach children about her job as a pediatrician and what makes our bodies so special. Feb. 21

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I loved the princess phase. The cutest.

3. Finding Out About A Day In The Life Of A Web Designer

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a web designer looks like? Girls in grades 5-8 are invited to a special 'day in the life of' event hosted by Techgirlz. We love this nonprofit, whose mission is to inspire middle school girls to explore the possibilities of technology to empower their future careers.

At this free event, students will find out about what the responsibilities are for a web designer and then break into teams to tackle building a website together! Registration is required. Feb. 9.

4. Super enjoying Rihanna

Rihanna is performing at this year's Super Bowl ... and we can't wait. We're also looking forward to the snacks — they call it the Super Bowl for a reason, right? We love this starting lineup of snacks from Mary Monahan, publisher of Macaroni KID Lincoln, Neb. We'll be trying our hand at these adorable brownies! We'll also be printing our Game Day Predictions game out for everyone at our gathering to share in the fun! Feb. 12

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5. Loving those kids up for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to show your love than with a handmade Valentine? Get creative with crafts and crafty ideas that are sure to make everyone smile. Need ideas? We've got them! From cracking them up with 100 Valentine's Day puns to a full day of heart-shaped food ideas, like this adorable sandwich. Feb. 14

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6. Counting birds

Want to know how many birds there are in your backyard? Grab a pair of binoculars and join the global community of citizen scientists to help collect data for The Great Backyard Bird Count. It’s easy, free, and fun — what could be better? You can find out more here. Feb. 17-20

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She must have seen a lot of birds!

7. Loving on our pets

Scaly, furry, slimy ... love on those pets today! Here are just a few of our Macaroni KID publishers and their adorable pets. Apparently Macaroni KID is Team Dog. Feb. 20