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You are here: Home / Blog / blog / Snow Day Activities for Kids that will Make them Smile

Snow Day Activities for Kids that will Make them Smile

February 11, 2019 By Bekki 1 Comment This content may contain affiliate links.

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We don’t usually get measurable snow where we live. I ran into the store to grab a few vegetables for dinner and barely made it out.

We are in the “perfect storm” for snowfall for the next week and people are in a frenzy.

Snow day activites
Maybe I should have bought that banana?

My husband is from Chicago. He didn’t rush to the grocery store or fret about fruit.

He took the boys to the hardware store and bought them each a snow shovel and told them, “You kids are about to make some money.”

He wasn’t joking.

After two full days of shoveling, I can’t imagine that they’re gonna be excited about the six inches of snow that fell last night, or the four inches that are supposed to fall today.

In honor of the record level snow that is falling in our back yard and covering our city, I am putting together a collection of Snow day fun.

Related: Free Snow Day Activities Printable

Make Some Extra Cash

I’m still gonna start here. So many people can’t shovel their own snow without pulling a few muscles or truly causing injury. A smiling kid with a shovel is gonna earn some extra cash. Just don’t forget the smile and a bottle of water. Shoveling snow is hard work!

Pro tip: How to shovel snow fast.

Snow day activites
My husband’s genius

A new Snow Shovel for each child = instant business and excellent sleep!

Snow day activities

More creative ways to earn extra money when the snow falls.

Hubby bought each son a snow shovel.

Boys+Shovels+record snowfall= Cha-ching (and some exhausted teens)

Make a Snow Creation!

When I was a little girl, my father took his snowblower and created a mound of snow the size of the empire state building. Actually it was about 12′ feet high. He then led us kids in our effort to shape Puff the Magic Dragon out of snow. When the dragon was formed he piled us into the car and drove us to the hardware store and bought some spray paint.

Puff the Magic Dragon is one of my favorite childhood memories.

Creative Snowmen
Get creative! (source: https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-snowman-ideas/
creative-snowman-ideas
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/207306389077497721/
30 Crazy And Creative Snowman Ideas - iDidAFunny
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/268597565252153660/

Outdoor Snow Fort

Before you dig in the snow, you’re gonna want to set firm rules. Can’t say it any better than Dad Goes Round.

Snow Tunnel Safety Rules

  1. No one goes in the tunnel unless there is a spotter. A sister, friend or adult are all acceptable.
  2. Only one person in the tunnel at a time.
  3. Anyone going through the tunnel has to do it on their belly.
  4. If parts of the tunnel start to fall out on the inside, get out immediately and don’t use the tunnel again.

If there is a snow tunnel collapse;

  1. The spotter must immediately attempt to help the person in the tunnel out. If they cannot get the tunneller out immediately, they are to come inside to get assistance from an adult.
  2. The person in the tunnel should use their arms and hands to create an air pocket in front of their face (hence the belly travel) so they can breathe until rescued.

Snow Tunnel Collapse Prevention

  1. Dig down, not up so as to maintain as much strength in the roof as possible.
  2. Don’t walk over or jump on the top of the tunnel.
Source: http://www.njfamily.com/How-To-Build-An-Amazing-Snow-Fort/

Print FUN Snow Day Themed Activities

These are best for day two or three of a big snow.

Snow DAY Activities

A Growing Collection of Snow Day Printables!

Learn a New Skill

Being snowed in provides an excellent opportunity to teach your kids something new. They’ll be more content standing by your side learning a skill than sitting in from of a screen for hours. While a little screentime is a wonderful way to relax for a short while, too much will cause attitude issues.

Have your kids tie on an apron and learn how to help in the kitchen. It’s scientifically proven to help boost their development.

Cooking Camp for Kids

3-ingredient snow ice cream recipe
Source: https://happyhooligans.ca/3-ingredient-delicious-vanilla-snow-ice-cream/

Surprise Craft: Grab cardboard, scissors and yarn. Let me and my boys lead your kids in a surprise craft. (About an hour video tutorial)

Table Tennis WITHOUT the table!!!

No more lost balls!

The kids will LOVE this one! It’s safe enough to play in the same room as great grandma!

  • Improves Vision
  • Improves hand-eye-coordination
  • Gross motor Development
  • Improves reflexes
table tennis

Build an Epic Fort

Really, kids don’t need a lot of encouragement to do this snow day activity.

“Let’s Build a fort!”

Don’t let your BIG kids roll their eyes. They’ll LOVE this too!

If your kids are stuck inside this winter (or anytime) try building one of these amazing indoor forts!
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/7318418122646987/

Materials You WILL NEED:

  • IMAGINATION
  • blankets
  • sleeping bags
  • sheets
  • sofa cushions and pillows
  • mattresses
  • tarps
  • chairs
  • Broom stick
  • clothes pins, rubber bands or safety pins
  • Nerf weapons for defense
  • Flash Light

You Might NEED

  • Twinkly lights
  • snacks
  • books
  • umbrella
  • table
  • musical instruments
  • more blankets
  • pvc piping
  • Cardboard boxes
  • sewing machine and material
  • velcro
  • tv
  • stuffed friends
  • real friends
  • funny hats and costumes

When you’re done playing, and BEFORE you tell the kids they need to clean up, write out your recipe for a “perfect indoor fort”.

Fun Things to do with Snow

Pro Tip: Bring snow INSIDE for your littles! You can put the snow in the tub and give them some fun accessories!

Like Mr. Potato Head Parts

potato heads in the snow
Source: https://happyhooligans.ca/creative-snow-play-ideas/

Play Tic Tac Toe

Tic-Tac-Snow
Source: https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/snow-activities-kids/

Paint the snow!

Source: https://alittlepinchofperfect.com/winter-snow-play-ideas-with-pain/

Create an Indoor Obstacle Course to warm them up!

All you need? Painter’s Tape

What a fantastic idea! Take away the boredom of a rainy day with a fun indoors obstacle course for kids!
Source https://www.pinterest.com/pin/566749934343282183/

Use Crepe Streamers

Indoor Obstacle Course - WomansDay.com
Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/640426009481038701/
Make a slide for your stairs from a big cardboard box. So fun for kids!
source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/28851253849666318/

Read Aloud Together

It seems so obvious, but we can be guilty of skipping the simple activities. Just grab a stack of your kids’ favorite books and curl up together on the sofa for read-aloud time!

Related: This is the BEST list of delightful books for preschoolers (and their parents)

Rest

One of the BEST aspects of big, unexpected, or terrible weather is the fantastic opportunity to rest. Curl up with a stack of books with your kids and read until you are all sleepy, then smile and sigh. The nap juts around the corner will feel like heaven.

Snow days, Ice storms, hurricanes, and terrible weather don’t have to mean stir crazy, grumpy and boring. Think ahead and grab a few fun snacks and supplies to prepare for your own unexpected time indoors.

Maybe even grab the last banana.

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  1. The Advantages of Homeschooling: More Than Academic Advantage says:
    March 14, 2019 at 6:36 am

    […] are able to push worksheets and textbooks aside for life skills like tree trimming, snow shoveling, bike maintenance, and puppy training. Homeschooling is our way of life, not the lessons we […]

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