Bring the Olympics Home

If you’re out of ideas for entertaining the family this winter, and you’re worried that one more snow day may bury you, we have a suggestion. The Winter Olympics start on February 12. Instead of just watching them on TV, why not organize your own Family Games? Depending on where you live and how active your team is, you can mimic the real Olympic events (well, maybe not ski jumping). Search Amazon and you’ll even find $3 chocolate gold medals with red, white, and blue ribbons. Here’s a suggested schedule. Let the Games begin!

Feb. 12: Opening ceremonies and torch lighting. Tell the kids to dress up and parade around the house to the “Olympic Theme” played at full volume. Then plug in a Christmas candle.

Feb. 13: Luge. If there’s snow in the backyard, build a run and time ’em. If not, call a Chutes & Ladders challenge.

Feb. 14: Figure skating. Head to the nearest rink and have everyone choreograph a brief program. (Or if the driveway is clear, use in-line skates.) You be the stern judge.

Feb. 15: Snowboarding. If there’s a ski resort nearby, take the kids for a couple hours. If not, break out the skateboards.

Feb. 16: Medal ceremony. Use the ottoman for a podium, and play the national anthem. No eating the medals until the music stops.

Feb. 17: Broadcasting. Turn off the sound on the TV and have each member of the family announce an event. Who will be the next Dick Button?

Feb. 18: Curling. This bizarre sport involves sweeping a granite stone across ice toward a target. Shuffleboard is a suitable swap, or get creative with a Swiffer WetJet, a hockey puck, and your kitchen linoleum.

Feb. 19: Hockey. Time for a family team challenge. Divide up the troops, grab a ball and some sticks, and head to the cul-de-sac for a game of street hockey.

Feb. 20: Speed skating. Wear big, thick socks and see who can mimic the skating motion best on the hardwood or vinyl floors.

Feb. 21: Medal ceremony.

Feb. 22: Wii Olympics. If Wii doesn’t live at your house, rent Nintendo’s popular system and “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games” from your local video store.

Feb. 23: More Wii. This is too much fun to return in a day.

Feb 24: Mascot design. Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi are the official ones, but challenge the kids to sketch and color their own.

Feb. 25: Biathlon. Have the kids run in place for 60 seconds, then turn around, lie on their stomachs, and shoot a water pistol at a target. Not easy to stay steady.

Feb. 26: Bobsleigh. If you’ve got a toboggan and some snow, go for it. If not, build your own bobsled out of a big cardboard box and watch the four-man heats from inside it.

Feb. 27: Final medal ceremony.

Feb. 28: Closing ceremonies and extinguishing of torch. Commence training for 2014.