We live in the Midwest, and my sons stay occupied in the winter with duct tape, cardboard, and trash. They craft all day.

The author's kids enjoy making crafts out of duct tape and old tractor parts, including her son's robot Robesy, seen here.

Courtesy of Bethaney Phillips

• In the Midwest, when it's cold all winter, I keep my boys busy with cardboard and tape.
• They love creating something interesting out of whatever they can get their hands on.
• I'm happy to let them do it, as long as the weather is bad. When it's nice, they go outside.

In the Midwest, we experience all four seasons — sometimes multiple in a single day.