January in Chicago can feel like an endless stretch of gray, cold days. The holidays have come and gone, and we're all trying to find new ways to keep the winter blues at bay while staying warm inside. For me, with four energetic daughters, this month is about creating little moments of joy amidst the chill. This year, I decided to try something a little different to make our winter more exciting—introducing a FAO Schwartz vending machine into our home!
Yes, you read that right. I found a FAO Schwartz vending machine on Target’s website (who knew?!), and it’s been the best investment for some good old-fashioned family fun. Each month, my daughters and I pick 12 simple but fun activities that they can earn by doing small tasks around the house or showing good behavior. The vending machine is filled with capsules that we write activities in, and it’s become an exciting way to motivate them while making memories together.
January's activities have been a blast! The best part is that you can make these activities as simple or as involved as you want—some days are easy, some days we go all out, but every day we earn one brings us all something to look forward to. Here’s a rundown of the activities we’ve done so far:
1. Make Your Own Pizza Night
We kicked off the month with a Make Your Own Pizza Night. I grabbed pre-made pizza dough from Trader Joe’s (no judgment here for skipping the homemade route), and we set out an array of toppings. The girls had a blast designing their own pizzas—one of them went full-on with extra cheese and pepperoni, while another got creative with bacon lips and a black olive eyes. It was a messy, delicious, and perfect family night.
2. Target Dollar Spot Outing
Next up was a trip to the Target Dollar Spot, where each of the girls had a small budget to pick out something fun. They were so excited! I’ve never seen them so thrilled over small toys, notebooks, and even some Valentine’s Day-themed crafts. It was a great way to have an outing without the pressure of a big trip and a nice way to teach them about budgeting too.
3. Valentine’s Day Crafting
Since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, we decided to get ahead of the holiday with some crafting. We made our own Valentine’s Day cards for school, and then we got to work on Valentine bags for our neighbors. The girls loved getting creative with stickers, glitter, and heart-shaped cutouts. It was a wonderful way to spread some love in the neighborhood, and it gave them a sense of accomplishment.
4. Color Theme Day
This one was hilarious! We all had to wear the same color for the day—totally random, but so much fun. Then, for every meal, we ate only food that matched that color. We went with pink, and let me tell you, it was a challenge (pink pancakes, pink smoothies, pink everything)! But the girls loved it, and it was so fun to get a little silly together.
5. Crepes for Breakfast
What’s better than starting a cold January morning with crepes? The girls had so much fun helping me cook them up. We filled them with all sorts of goodies—berries, whipped cream, and Nutella. It felt like a fancy breakfast but was actually super easy to make. It’s moments like these that make a simple Sunday morning feel special.
6. Choose Your Own Dinner
We had a night where each of the girls got to choose their own dinner. It was a free-for-all in the kitchen, and they loved it. Some picked pizza, others went for pasta, and there were even a couple of surprise salad enthusiasts in the mix. It was a way to let everyone feel a little extra special with their own personalized meal.
7. Family Movie Night
Of course, no month would be complete without a classic Family Movie Night. We made popcorn, snuggled up with blankets, and watched one of the girls' favorite movies (for the 100th time!). It’s simple, but there’s something so cozy and comforting about sharing a movie night together, especially when you’re all bundled up inside.
8. Indoor Relay Race
On a particularly cold day, we decided to break up the monotony with an indoor relay race. We set up challenges—running from the living room to the kitchen, hopping over pillows, and balancing an object on their heads. The girls were laughing and cheering each other on, and I think I might have had just as much fun as they did!
The beauty of this activity system is that it’s all about being present and having fun without the need for perfection or huge planning. Some days are simple, like a movie night or crepes for breakfast, while others involve more effort, like crafting or the indoor relay race. But in all of it, we’re making memories and building traditions that the girls will remember forever.
And the FAO Schwartz vending machine has become the ultimate motivator. It’s amazing how much fun something so simple can be. Each day, as the girls work toward earning their activities, they’re learning the value of patience, teamwork, and a little bit of effort—and at the end of it all, they get to “cash in” for their rewards. It’s fun for them, and it’s made me realize how much joy can come from little things.
So, here’s to more cozy, creative days ahead as we continue to fill our winter with fun and laughter. I can’t wait to see what February has in store for us—and what activities we’ll come up with next.