• feelings of isolation
• restlessness
• irritation
• complaints of boredom

It’s a nasty fever that everyone tries to avoid catching. But adults as well as kids can become victims. If you’re stuck indoors and crave a change of scenery, try these home remedies for cabin fever.

Put toys and books down where youngsters can reach them. Your children can play without constantly having to seek adult assistance to pull a toy off a high shelf. This builds their independence and self-esteem.

Read, read, read! Snuggle under a blanket or by the fireplace with your children and read to them. Reading builds language and concentration skills. The undivided time with a parent nurtures a child’s love of books.

Play games. Preschoolers can begin board games such as Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders. Games teach valuable social skills — taking turns, being patient, and winning and losing gracefully. Learning cognitive skills, such as color and shape recognition and counting, is a bonus. Card games (try Old Maid) strengthen small hand and finger muscles. Older kids usually enjoy Yahtzee, Chess, Checkers and Trouble.

Pretend. Young children enjoy dressing up and role playing. Provide a basket with old hats, shoes, jewelry, etc. This may be the gentle nudge that tykes need for an afternoon of entertainment.

Produce artwork. Use crayons, markers, paper, chalk and chalkboard to stimulate creative juices. For youngsters under 3, avoid coloring books and demands to “color in the lines.” Instead, encourage freehand drawings. Phrases such as “Tell me about your picture” and “You are using red” are more helpful than the standard “I like your picture.” When your child finishes her masterpiece, display it on the refrigerator at her eye level.

Cut up catalogs. Use old catalogs or magazines to cut out pictures of people, pets and trees. To encourage cognitive skills, suggest children hunt for pictures of certain colors, shapes or seasons.

We’ve only just started. Here are many more ways to break cabin fever.