Karissa Johnson started a national program that gets moms moving and connecting. She lives in the Twin Cities area. How does she beat boredom on a cold weekend? “When it's the type of weekend where we are all going to be home for an extended period of time, I mix up work and play and throw in as many "new" things as possible, like a chore they don't normally do or a game I made up. And we always end the day with a movie and popcorn,” she says.
Since Minnesota doesn’t mess around when it comes to winter weather, Karissa and her family are all about indoor fun. “We like to get away to a local hotel with an indoor water park about once a year! Of course there's the annual trip to the Christmas tree farm too, when hiking through the snow to find the perfect tree is followed by a jingle bell hayride, hot cider, and visit with Santa and reindeer.”
Emergency winter gear usually includes some screen time. She says, “I give them more electronics time when it's cold out because their access to iPods, tablets, Wii etc. is normally very limited. I let them earn more time by exercising and doing chores.”
Even though the thermometer will often dip below zero, Karissa is determined to get her kids out when the weather is right. “For adventures away from the home, we are always up for something new and stay on the lookout for any free or low cost family activities being offered in the community: outdoor activities with hot chocolate at the nature center, kids' running events for charity, free kids days at museums, holiday light and nativity displays.”
Find out more about Moms on the Run by clicking here.
Photo: Widen Photography
