Got Spring Fever? Here are 11 Remedies

Are you feeling restless and cooped up after a long winter? Even if the weather isn't quite balmy yet, get out and enjoy the longer days and the intermittent sunshine. Here are 11 spring fever remedies:

1. Go for a spring hike. We love to take a backpack filled with treats to eat and a thermos of lemonade or hot chocolate (depending on the temperature of the spring day we have chosen.) Have your kids take along their nature journals and, as you prepare the picnic lunch or snack, ask them to draw or describe what they see.

2. Plan your garden. Ask each member of your family to choose a vegetable or flower to grow in the family garden. Place your order for seedlings and plan how, where, and when you will plant.

3. Get your bikes tuned up and head out on early season ride.

4. If you have small children, make up some bubble solution. Here's a good recipe: 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of light karo syrup and 4 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. Then look for common household objects that can make good bubble wands, such as drinking straws, re-shaped wire coat hangers, or small juice cans with both ends removed.

5. Take a trip to the zoo. Spring is a great time to see baby animals.

6. Treat yourself to a pedicure and walk around barefoot as much as possible.

7. Buy a bouquet of fresh spring flowers for your centerpiece.

8. Open all your windows for a bit, even if it's still somewhat cold outside.

9. Find a light floral perfume or body spray.

10. Involve the kids in a springtime craft, such as coffee filter flowers. Each child paints plain white coffee filters with watercolors. Once the filters are dry, fringe the ends with scissors or scrunch them up to make a mum-like design. Wrap a green pipe cleaner around the end and twist to make a stem. Send a flower to each grandparent or to each cousin or friend with a special springtime note.

11. Do some spring cleaning. It feels good to dust off the cobwebs and freshen up your home. Get your entire family involved. Small children can put socks on their hands and dust. Older children can be responsible for sweeping and mopping. Once the cleaning is finished, reward everyone with a special springtime treat: banana splits at your favorite ice cream parlor.