Key Takeaways
- Mix entertainment, family activities, and productive projects to break up long stretches of time indoors.
- Small organizing projects can make frequently used spaces easier to enjoy without turning the day into a major renovation.
- Log homeowners can use indoor time to inspect interior wood, sealant joints, checks, and other areas that may need attention later.
- Choose maintenance products based on the specific surface and project rather than starting work before you know what the wood needs.
Cold weather, rain, or a long stretch at home can make even a comfortable cabin start to feel a little too familiar. Changing the routine with a mix of games, projects, organizing, and simple home-care tasks can make indoor days more useful and enjoyable.
There are things we can do to alleviate the time cooped up inside for the whole family. Country Living offers 25 activities to change up the routine, including classics like making your own Play-Doh! Check out their list here.
One snow-bound winter my family gathered around the fireplace and we listened to classic radio shows on cassette. My imagination became a powerful force to bring 1930’s radio show The Shadow to life during that cold December.
Today’s Parent has an impressive 87 activities, ranging from cardboard dollhouses to tye-dyed t-shirts. A lot of crafts are involved, to help kids learn motor skills. And of course, baking, but haven’t our waistlines had enough baking? You can read the long list of activities here.
Turn Indoor Time Into a Small Home Project
Other activities may not seem as fun as making forts or throwing a dance party, but they can be greatly rewarding if more indoor living is in our future. Renovate your interior, organize the kitchen “junk” drawer (I have 2!), go through your books and donate or share the ones you’ve read, and general “de-cluttering.”
You don’t need to remodel a room to make progress. Start with one cabinet, bookshelf, closet, or workbench. Sorting supplies, labeling stored items, and clearing surfaces can make the home easier to use without creating another unfinished project.
This is also something you can do in your digital life: unsubscribe to unwanted emails (not ours, though!), delete unnecessary emails, or clean up your digital photo albums.
Log homeowners can also use this time for a visual inspection of interior wood surfaces. Look for worn finish, areas that are harder to clean, visible gaps between logs, or checks that you want to monitor. An inspection doesn’t mean each area requires immediate repair. It gives you a short list to research before buying materials or beginning work.
If interior wood needs a finish refresh, browse Perma-Chink Systems’ interior wood stains and finishes. Lifeline Interior is a semi-transparent interior wood stain that allows the natural wood grain to remain visible while adding color and protection.
Make Time for Games That Get Everyone Involved
Lastly, don’t forget about traditional card and board games. Some have found their way online, or are online only, and that greatly increases player pools. Many online games have chat features that allow interaction between friendly opponents. Codenames is one game that has online gameplay with others.
Rotate activities instead of trying to fill an entire day with one thing. A home project in the morning, time outside when weather permits, and a game or movie later can give the day some structure without making free time feel scheduled.
Quiet activities count, too. Reading, puzzles, old family photos, music, or returning to a hobby that has been sitting on a shelf can be enough to change the pace. Cabin fever often comes from repetition, so even a modest change in routine can make a long indoor day feel different.
Check Interior Sealant Areas While You’re Already Looking
Indoor downtime is also a good opportunity to look closely at joints between logs, window and door openings, and other sealed areas. Look for visible separation, gaps, or damaged material rather than trying to diagnose every irregularity in the wood.
If you find an area that needs more attention, review Perma-Chink Systems’ wood sealants and chinking before choosing a product. Different gaps and joints call for different materials. Perma-Chink is a flexible acrylic chinking made for open gaps between logs and is designed to accommodate normal log movement.
Save larger repairs or unfamiliar application work for a time when you can prepare the surface, use the correct materials, and follow the product instructions. If a repair looks beyond routine DIY maintenance, contact Perma-Chink Systems for guidance or consult a qualified log home contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some productive things to do when you have cabin fever?
Choose projects with a clear stopping point. Organize one drawer, sort a bookshelf, clean up digital photos, inspect interior wood surfaces, or make a list of home-maintenance items to address later. Small projects are easier to finish and don’t turn indoor downtime into a major renovation.
What log home maintenance can I check from indoors?
Walk through the home and look at interior finishes, visible checks, sealed joints, window and door openings, and areas that receive frequent contact. Note anything that appears worn, separated, or damaged. Research the correct repair method before applying a new stain, finish, sealant, or chinking product.
Can I stain interior log walls while I’m stuck indoors?
Interior finishing can be a planned DIY project, but product selection and surface preparation matter. Review the instructions for the specific finish first. Perma-Chink Systems’ interior stain and finish products can help you identify products suited to interior log and wood surfaces.
What should I do if I find a large gap or damaged area between logs?
Don’t assume every gap needs the same repair. The correct product and application depend on the location, joint, existing material, and condition of the logs. Review Perma-Chink Systems’ sealants and chinking or contact Perma-Chink Systems for guidance. For damage that appears extensive or structural, consult a qualified log home contractor before starting a DIY repair.
Long days indoors don’t have to mean repeating the same routine. A few family activities, one manageable organizing project, and a careful look around your log home can give the day a purpose without creating more work than you want. When your inspection turns up a maintenance project, use Perma-Chink Systems’ product and educational resources to plan the next step before you begin.
