by Kitten Delacruz
I’m sure that we’ve all noticed a bit of snow on the grounds in the past days and weeks. Don’t let it get you down. You don’t want to paint yourself into a corner of trouble in this kind of weather. After all, it is a big castle with lots of things to explore. And, it has lots of places that we shouldn’t explore. So, what’s a kid to do?
I have a personal plan to share. I have a list of things that I’ve thought up. I’m pretty sure that it will keep me out of trouble, for now. But, you never know. My motto is: a good activity a day, keeps the howler away!
First off, I had to think about singular or solo activities. As I am a bit on the shy side and I am usually awake when no one else is, I like to work on puzzles. During winter break, I grabbed up a few. There are crosswords, number and word puzzles galore. In a pinch, I keep a couple of them tucked under my mattress.
When daybreak hits, the plan is to keep active. I try to wear myself out with stair climbing. The clocktower seems the best for this. Mostly because the steps stay still. Also, it is the least traveled. So, if you want some exercise and some quiet time, it is a great way to travel up and down. Besides, I figure now that we’re learning music theory it’ll be a great place to practice my singing too.
Another solitary activity that I find relaxing is arts and crafts. I had some left over supplies from when we made wreaths in Herbology. So, I took them out to make a few more. I was busy with them for a couple of days. And, it was a lot of fun. I intend to find another hobby to keep my creativity going.
Next, we need something more social. There are many games that we can play indoors. The first one was suggested by my housemate suggested. She likes Magical Grandma’s Footsteps. This is a sneaky game that takes place whilst one player is turned around with their back to the others. Then, the fun begins. You would sneak up quietly and try to make it to tap the “grandma” on the shoulder before they have turned around and caught you. If they do, you get sent all the way back to the start! [editor’s note: or jinxed]
Hide and Seek is always a good fallback on a rainy or snowy day. We all know how to play this one! And, imagine how fun it is in this huge castle. So many places to hide. I think that it’s a perfect game for a classroom full of students that will have nothing to do after their last class. Just meet up in the Long Gallery and games a foot!
Now, my favorite group activity. Anyone can guess! It is to make a few batches of cookies together. I love the smell of chocolate chips baking in the background as the kids chatter about their day’s events. When the dinger goes off, we end up with the best comfort snack ever. Sharing my family’s recipes with my Hogwarts family is one of my most treasured things to do on a cold and snowy day. It makes being stuck inside the most fun!
I know that we’re all looking forward to the sunny days of spring and summer. Never fear. They will come back to us all in good time. In the meantime, puzzles and crafts, games and food. It’s a great time to be a kid!