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When Texas ices over, the whole state hits pause. Roads turn into skating rinks, stores close, and suddenly everyone’s stuck at home wondering what to do next. The good news? Being iced in doesn’t have to be boring. It can actually turn into a cozy, memory-making kind of day.
Turn Your Home Into a Cozy Retreat
Cold, gray weather is the perfect excuse to lean into comfort.
Light candles, grab your softest blankets, and make a warm drink like hot chocolate, coffee, or spiced tea. Put on a comfort show or movie you’ve seen a hundred times. There’s something about familiar favorites that just hits different when the weather outside is miserable.
This is your sign to slow down without guilt.
Have a Movie or TV Marathon
Pick a theme and go all in. Movie trilogies, true crime documentaries, cooking competitions, or nostalgic throwback shows from childhood all make great binge material.
Make it feel like an event by setting up snacks in bowls, dimming the lights, and staying in pajamas all day. No one’s going anywhere anyway.
Get Creative With Indoor Hobbies
Being stuck inside is a great time to finally do that creative thing you “never have time for.”
Try:
- Drawing or painting
- Journaling or creative writing
- Knitting or crocheting
- Adult coloring books
- DIY home décor projects
Creative hobbies help pass the time and are great for stress relief, especially when winter weather has everything shut down.
Cook or Bake Something From Scratch
When Texans can’t drive on ice, we cook.
Try a recipe that takes a little extra time, like homemade bread, soup, chili, or cookies. Baking fills the house with amazing smells and gives everyone something warm and comforting to eat.
If you have kids at home, let them help measure, stir, or decorate. It keeps them busy and turns a boring day into a fun family memory.
Related: Cure the Rainy Day Blues
Have a Family Game Day
Board games, card games, and puzzles are perfect for icy days.
Pull out classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Uno, dominoes, or a big jigsaw puzzle you can work on throughout the day. If you’re more into video games, try multiplayer party games that everyone can join.
A little friendly competition is a great cure for cabin fever.
Declutter and Organize One Space
Okay, not the most exciting idea, but hear me out.
Pick one small area: a junk drawer, a closet shelf, or the pantry. Set a timer for 20–30 minutes and see how much you can sort through. You’ll feel productive, and future-you will be grateful.
Plus, organizing while stuck inside makes the time go by faster.
Try an At-Home Spa Day
Turn your bathroom into a mini spa.
Take a long shower or bath, use a face mask, deep-condition your hair, and put on comfy clothes afterward. Play relaxing music or a podcast while you unwind.
It’s a great way to fight off the gloomy mood that icy weather can bring.
Learn Something New Online
Use the downtime to learn a new skill.
Watch tutorials on:
- Cooking techniques
- Home workouts
- Photography tips
- Craft projects
- Language learning apps
A few hours of learning can turn a “wasted” day into one that actually feels productive.
Build a Blanket Fort (Yes, Even for Adults)
Don’t knock it till you try it.
Use blankets, chairs, and pillows to build a cozy fort in the living room. Read, watch movies, or just hang out inside. Kids love it, but honestly, adults do too. It brings back that childhood snow-day magic.
Plan Future Trips or Projects
If you’re feeling stir-crazy, start planning something to look forward to.
Research a future vacation, weekend road trip, home renovation idea, or even just a backyard project for warmer weather. Having plans on the horizon makes being stuck inside feel a little less frustrating.
Related: That Weird Energy That Comes With a Cold Front
Stay Connected Virtually
Just because the roads are icy doesn’t mean you have to feel isolated.
Video call friends or family, join an online game night, or just text someone you haven’t talked to in a while. A little social connection can instantly boost your mood on a long indoor day.
Being iced in is an occasional part of life in Texas winters. Instead of fighting it, treat it like a built-in pause button. Slow down, get cozy, try something new, and enjoy the rare excuse to stay home and do absolutely nothing…or everything.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family, which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.