I grew up in Chicago, so from October to March (OK, fine, April), staying inside and away from the bitter cold was the norm. But despite the lack of outdoor time during the winter, my sister and I were still able to have some of the summer fun we longed for . . . just with a twist.

My mom was always so creative when it came to throwing our birthday parties or celebrating holidays in fun and unique ways, and one of her best inventions was the indoor beach party. At least once a year, my sister and I would invite a few friends over in the middle of winter and "hit the beach" in our basement (peep the very '90s-esque photo above for reference). This entailed the heat being turned slightly up, us rocking our favourite swimsuits, lounging on beach towels, and snacking on our favourite summer snacks. It was the perfect (and most fun!) activity for when going outside wasn't an option, and it's really easy to put together. If you want to throw an indoor beach party for you and your kids, keep reading for seven tips on how to bring the sunshine to you.