I don’t know about you, but I am definitely not a homebody. Sure, there are times when I want nothing more than to cuddle up with my family on the couch and watch some good old Fox and The Hound. But most of the time, I am looking for ways to escape the piles of dirty dishes, mounds of laundry and buckets full of dirty diapers.

Here are my top five things to do when you just need to get out of the house.

1. Head to the park! It’s free and kids can entertain themselves while you get a breather. If you can stand to spend an extra five minutes at your house, take that time to grab a magazine, book or small craft to occupy yourself and a few outdoor toys (ball and bat, Frisbee, magnifying glass) to help the kiddos stay busy.

2. You gotta love a Play Place! If the weather isn’t the best for outdoor play or if you’re craving a little more confined space for wild ones, hit up the local burger joint or nearest mall and let the kids jump in the ball pit or climb through the tunnels in their play areas. I always feel guilty if I don’t buy something so I’ll usually grab a small coke and enjoy the free refills.  I’ll pay $1.19 any day if it means we can get out of the house for an hour or two!

3. Take Dad lunch! Surprise your husband (or grandma or friend) at their workplace with a picnic lunch. Daddy will enjoy getting to visit with the little ones in the middle of the day and the kids will enjoy seeing where he works.

4. Take a hike! Grab the stroller or wagon and hit the road. You can go all out by hiking a trail at a nearby park or you can just go for a spin around the block. Either way, the fresh air is sure to get you out of your funk.

5. Have fun in the car! Hit the car wash and let the kids have a blast watching the suds and brushes splash on their windows. And if that’s not a long enough time out of the house for you, pull into a parking lot and let the kids help you spruce up the car. Bring along some plastic bags to gather up trash, Windex and paper towels to clean up finger print covered windows and a lint brush to clean up the upholstery. The kids will love being involved and you’ll get a cleaner car in the process.

So, what do you do with the kids when you get cabin fever?