This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of SnowCast. All opinions are 100% mine.
While we haven't seen a huge snowfall this year as of yet, we've had a ton over the past few years. In fact, last winter (and the year previous) was record breaking in our area. To say that the kids were delighted with all of the snow days, is an understatement.
Honestly, I enjoy snow days just as much as they do, when I'm prepared of course! Most nights, I found myself refreshing my weather app for the latest forecast. Even then, the rapidly changing predictions weren't always up-to-the-minute or for our precise area (most forecasts tend to highlight a general area). This year, I'm far more prepared for whatever mother nature throws my way than in years past. I've stocked up on supplies AND I've downloaded the SnowCast app; bring it on!
If you're planning for a snow day off from school with the kids, check our some of our fun ideas/ tips below, to keep the kids occupied.
Outdoor activities
- Paint the snow - Mix 2 cups of cold water with a few drops of food coloring in a spray bottle or squirt bottle and send the kids out to paint their "canvas" of freshly fallen white snow. If you don't have squirt/spray bottles on hand, you can usually find them at most dollar stores OR hand the kids a few bowls of dyed water and some paintbrushes - this method of snow painting is just as fun!
- Make your own sled- Even if you have a store brought sled on-hand, making one is always a fun activity for kids, young and old! While the snow is falling, grab a long (about 6 ft) strip of heavy corrugated cardboard (or tape a few pieces together to achieve the desired length), Duck tape (in fun colors or patterns of your choosing), a pair of scissors, and some twine (about 4 ft.). Have the kids cover the entire surface (top, bottom, sides) with Duck tape. Note: make sure to layout the strips of tape lengthwise - all in the same direction - on your "sled". Once covered fold over a 1 ft. area in the front of the "sled". Cut a small hole in the folded portion of your sled to create a handle to create a handle to hold onto while going down the hill. Tie your twine through the handle to create a pull, to easily transport your "sled" back to the top of the hill.
- Make Snow Ice Cream - 8 cups (clean/fresh) snow or shaved ice (if concerned about pollutants etc.), 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour condensed milk and vanilla into a mixing bowl, add in snow or shaved ice. Mix to combine. Serve immediately. Note: snow melts quickly. Quick preparation/serving is necessary when preparing this recipe.
- Play a game of tic-tac-toe in the snow- Gather small branches (to cross make your X's) and pine cones for O's and draw a tic-tac-toe board in the snow!
- Build a snowman - this is always one of our favorite things to do on snow days. Get creative with your materials to make your snowman original.
- Snow painting - If it's too cold outside, or the snow is still falling hard, bring a few scoops of snow inside and place it on a cookie sheet (in covered area or on a surface that you don't mind getting wet) and let the kids try the above painting activity with bowls of colored water and paintbrushes
- Make a snowman themed craft with the kids using homemade puffy paint (1 cup shaving cream + 1/2 cup school glue mixed well), construction paper, and other simple materials. Or, if you don't have the supplies on hand, to make puffy paint, use cotton balls, construction paper, and other simple supplies to craft your snowman.
- Make an indoor obstacle course using items found around the house, and have the kids navigate through it.
- Create an indoor hopscotch - help the kids burn off some of their excess energy by making a hopscotch inside. All you need is painter's tape! lay in down on the carpet or floor in squares to make the hopscotch, when the fun is done, it's easy to pull up (mess free) and toss.
- Bake and decorate cookies (perfectly paired with hot chocolate on a snowy day) - this is a great two part activity for a snow day. Have the kids help you prepare your favorite cookie dough and lay it out on cookie sheets. After the cookies ave baked and cooled, let the kids decorate them with icing and sprinkles. We like to make sugar cookies and decorate them to resemble snowmen. They're cute and delicious!
Don't get caught off guard with an unexpected snow day off from school with the kids! Plan for a better snow day for your family, with the SnowCast app for iOS. This great app shows you the total snowfall expected for the next 48 hours for your exact location with predicted accumulation for each 6 hour window. Download the app today!
