Guest post by Melissa Batai
Is it snowing again at your house? If so, you’re not alone; much of the country has been deluged with snow. While it may not be fun for adults who have to clean a path through the snow, clean off cars, and drive on snowy roads, for kids, snow can be great fun. We’ve put together a list of snowy day activities to help you and your kids enjoy the cold weather and snowy landscape.
For Toddlers & Preschoolers
When you take your toddlers and preschoolers out in the snow, make sure they’re bundled up with warm jackets, snow pants, boots, glove, hats, and scarves. At this age, little ones are still learning to adjust to the cold, so after 20 or 30 minutes, make sure to bring them inside to warm up.
Snow Road
If you don’t have a lot of snow, consider using the snow you do have to trace a snow road in your driveway or yard. Toddlers will love having a life size road (with real weather conditions) to drive their toy cars and trucks through.
Make Snow Angels
Simply have your child lie back in the snow and spread his legs back and forth and his arms in the snow, up and down from his sides to the back of his head. Stand up carefully, leap to the side of the snow impression, and you’ll see a snow angel.
Catch Snowflakes
Have your toddlers practice catching snowflakes on their gloves. Point out to them how each snowflake looks different. They’ll love to see all the variation in snowflakes. Also, encourage them to catch snowflakes on their tongues.
Make a Snowball Tower
Help your toddler make a snowball (if you have packing snow) and then build as many as you can. Your child will have fun stacking them, and knocking them down. Also, consider having a gentle snowball fight with your little one, avoiding the face, of course.
Use Snow Paint
Snow paint is simple to make—you just need a spray bottle, water, and food coloring. Have fun “decorating” the snow in bright, vibrant colors. Be forewarned, though, this can stain clothes, so try to use waterproof gloves or mittens.
For Older Kids
Once kids get older, have more fine motor skills, and are adapted to the cold weather, there are so many fun things they can do on snowy days.
Create a Snow Fort
Building snow forts can literally keep kids occupied for hours. If you can, consider buying a brick mold , which will make the structure more secure and easier to build. (I got one of these when I was about eight, and I had the best winter building snow forts!)
During the summer, the brick mold can also be used at the beach.
Snow Painting with Markers
Since older kids have more fine motor skills, they can graduate from snow painting to using snow markers for more finely detailed work.
Icy Artwork
For a more unusual winter activity, try making icy artwork from objects in nature. I love how beautiful these look once they are completed!
Indoor Activities Using the Snow
If it’s just too cold outside to brave some outdoor fun, there are still activities you can do indoors with the kids that will let them enjoy the snow.
Fill the Bathtub
I love this idea! Mom or dad can bring a few large buckets full of snow indoors and dump them in the bathtub. Then, little ones can play with the snow from the outside of the tub, nice and warm. Kids can make snowballs, a small snowman, or even run their toy cars over the rough, snowy terrain. Sure, the snow won’t last long in the heat of your home, but if you bring enough snow into the tub, it will last 30 minutes or so, enough for your kids to have fun with it.
Make Snow Ice Cream
One of my fondest memories of growing up in Michigan is enjoying snow ice cream! This simple snow ice cream recipe calls for milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and, of course, snow! If you haven’t had snow ice cream before, you’ll be surprised how much fun it is to make and how delicious it tastes.
Read The Snowy Day or Owl Moon
Th classic children’s book, The Snowy Day , by Ezra Jack Keats shares the wonder of a little boy enjoying a snowy day. Your younger kids will love this adorable story, especially after they’ve enjoyed the snow outdoors or looked on it from the warmth of home.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen is set on a cold, icy night and is another good read aloud option. This book also ties in the love of nature as a young girl goes with her father through the woods to look for owls.
Final Thoughts
If you’re getting pummeled by snow, don’t be discouraged. Welcome it as a chance to encourage your kids to get outside, get some physical activity, and be creative. Remember, all too soon spring will be here, and the snow will be a distant memory.
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