What to do when stuck indoors?

The closings because of inclement weather Monday lacked one thing locally that many other students in the Southeast got: Snow.

And because of that, there really was no reason to go outside and play in the freezing cold sleet.

So many parents instead found themselves trapped indoors with their kids, facing a decision: Spend the day on Facebook or Wii or do something a little more, well, productive?

"My 17-year-old is studying for exams and completing an essay for her college application and my 6-year-old will be practicing her sight words and reading," said West Ashley mom Kris Smalls, mother of Jackey Banks and Victoria Smalls. Her own work day at Goodwill Industries of Lower S.C. was delayed. "We may as well get an extra day of studying in."

Lots of public school students were relieved that a day that was supposed to bring exams was delayed. They took advantage of the extra day off to study, but many wondered whether Monday's exams would be postponed to today. Schools quickly sent out revised test schedules via e-mails, phone calls and websites.

Johns Island mother Debby Baynes said her two daughters also would seize the opportunity to further prepare for school -- after they woke up. She decided not to wake them early.

And Charleston mom Laura Sewell said her two middle school sons would spend the day "catching up on all the school projects they have been putting off all quarter."

But for those who didn't want to do schoolwork, local educators had lots of suggestions on how to pass the time.

"Bake something in the kitchen," suggested Wando High School Assistant Principal Bill Smythe, himself an empty-nester. "It's a great math and reading exercise."

Marcia Siebert, a teacher at Faith Christian School and mom of two, had this suggestion: "After sleeping in, making a hot breakfast together, playing board games, and making cookies, then play charades as a family and/or scrapbook together or just look at all of the old photo albums."

Ali Little, a Berkeley County first-grade teacher, suggested playing board games with the family, and Jillian Brady, a first-grade teacher in Dorchester District 2, which had a teacher workday planned Monday anyway, suggested winter-inspired crafts.

"Play a mad game of Spoons or Crazy 8's," said District 2 elementary teacher and mom Lisa Coury. "We love card games and making pizzas."

Dorothy Porcher Holland, a youth minister and preschool teacher, had a suggestion for accomplishing a good deed while still having fun.

"Challenge kids to a room cleanup contest with prizes for fastest, best and largest pile of stuff for Goodwill," she said. "Or take hot cocoa and cookies to an elderly neighbor."

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713.