Winter blues can drive you crazy, but when your kid's get cabin fever, that is a whole new level of crazy. Kid's have energy, it is no secret, so when the winter starts dragging on, they need some new outlets. I cannot say I blame them; I hate being cooped up too. So it is particularly important for me to find activities to keep my family busy year round. We live in the mid-west, so it is not sunshine and daisies year-round. Luckily I am used to rough winters, so unless it is dangerously cold, you can find my family and me outside for at least part of any given day.
Of course in these colder months, we cannot spend all day playing out in the yard, it just isn't an option, most of the day we are forced inside. If you do not like the cold, it might be tough for you, but I recommend bundling the kids up and getting outside for as long as they can stand it. You would be surprised how resilient kids are, and as long as there are no warnings (extreme cold or the like), they will tell you when they are too cold or ready to go in. If you do not have any snow, this is an excellent time to go for a walk around the neighborhood or play a game in the yard. When we are snow free, I like to draw a hopscotch course on the driveway and let the kids jump their energy out.
The local ice rink is also a fantastic way to work up a sweat outside during the winter months. Many communities have free ice skating rinks; check out the local parks in your area.
When you are inside, this is the time to let dramatic play and imagination run as wild as possible. I love to help my kid's build forts and ask questions leading them to invent characters and a story line for the fort. Once the fort we have built, and they start dramatic play, I can often wander off without them even realizing I am gone. Dramatic play is by far the easiest way to pass the time inside at my house. They might make a huge mess getting out almost everything they own, but seeing and hearing the things their imaginations dream up might just be one of my favorite things about being a parent.