If you draw back the curtains this morning and see a blanket of snow on the ground, you know you'll need to plan something fast for the kids to do. Before they get too restless, and you get irritated with their restlessness. You need to plan an escape for both your sake and theirs... a plan that may include some snow activities!
Sitting in front of the television, texting friends, and watching movies won't lighten the tension of a day cooped up inside, and it may even worsen it! A little fresh air and fun is in order here. Get out the hats, boots, and mittens and get those bundles of energy outside. Let's see, what was it again you used to play in the snow? I think I can help you remember a few snow activities that both you and your kids will enjoy.
Snowman: Of course, the simplest activity is first. We love making our snowmen because it's easy and you can get as creative as you want. Starting with the three basic elements for the structure - the big, medium, and small snowball. Then, using pinecones, rocks, or whatever you have on hand, create the face. A carrot for the nose is classic, but anything works. Put some sticks on for arms, some more rocks for buttons, and you're done. Or, you can keep going with hats, mittens, or even boots tucked under the bottom snowball with the toes sticking out. If your kids are really taking to this, in other words, if they are happy for a long time, keep them busy by bringing out more clothing, like vests, scarves, old costume jewelry and anything else you can think of.
Snow Angels: Be sure to dress warm for this activity! In an area where the snow is soft and undisturbed, have your children lay down in the snow and move their arms up and down, and their legs in and out. Then, carefully help them stand up and step away. Turn around and look! See, didn't you always know your little one was an angel! If you have garland you can even form a little halo to complete the scene.
Snow Fort or Igloo: What an inexpensive way to build a playhouse! Make sure you have good warm and preferably water-resistant mittens or gloves. Using small buckets, scoop snow in the buckets and press down firmly. Then, tip the buckets upside-down and tap to remove the snow "brick." Carefully stack the bricks to form the fort or igloo. You can help your children design their structure by showing them pictures of an actual igloo or fort. As the walls are completed, your kids may get inspired to create snow-furniture. Provide them with a spray-bottle filled with water and food-coloring so they can "paint" the walls or furniture. You may even want to provide some hot cocoa to be served in their snow-kitchen!
Snowball Dodgeball: If you're familiar with dodgeball, you'll already know how this is played. Just substitute snowballs for a real ball and let the games begin! Choose up your sides, go over the rules, and start the onslaught of snowballs. Be sure to pack your snowballs just tight enough to fly, but not so tight that they become hard. You want the snowball to burst and go "poof" when it hits the other team member. You can also play more of a game of snowball tag, in which every kid stands on their own and is only out of the game when they surrender. No matter how your kids decide to play, be sure that you get out there and join in the fun. Running around in the snow is not only fun and exhilarating, it burns lots and lots of calories!
Snow Sledding: Even without a toboggan, sled, or a big hill, you can have fun sliding around on the snow. A large piece of cardboard and a snowbank can stand in for a sled and a hill. Look around the garage or house and find any larger pieces of cardboard, tarp, or even a big plastic snow shovel. You might even put the old plastic kiddie pool to work for the afternoon! If your yard doesn't have a hilly area, a little snowbank can provide some fun "snow surfing" especially for the younger children.
Get out the hot cocoa, the camera, and the cold weather gear and head outside to enjoy some great snow activities and games. Bundle your kids up all nice and cozy, and before long they'll be hootin' and hollerin' for all the neighbors to hear. They may even get some other kids outside to join in the fun, too!
Sitting in front of the television, texting friends, and watching movies won't lighten the tension of a day cooped up inside, and it may even worsen it! A little fresh air and fun is in order here. Get out the hats, boots, and mittens and get those bundles of energy outside. Let's see, what was it again you used to play in the snow? I think I can help you remember a few snow activities that both you and your kids will enjoy.
Snowman: Of course, the simplest activity is first. We love making our snowmen because it's easy and you can get as creative as you want. Starting with the three basic elements for the structure - the big, medium, and small snowball. Then, using pinecones, rocks, or whatever you have on hand, create the face. A carrot for the nose is classic, but anything works. Put some sticks on for arms, some more rocks for buttons, and you're done. Or, you can keep going with hats, mittens, or even boots tucked under the bottom snowball with the toes sticking out. If your kids are really taking to this, in other words, if they are happy for a long time, keep them busy by bringing out more clothing, like vests, scarves, old costume jewelry and anything else you can think of.
Snow Angels: Be sure to dress warm for this activity! In an area where the snow is soft and undisturbed, have your children lay down in the snow and move their arms up and down, and their legs in and out. Then, carefully help them stand up and step away. Turn around and look! See, didn't you always know your little one was an angel! If you have garland you can even form a little halo to complete the scene.
Snow Fort or Igloo: What an inexpensive way to build a playhouse! Make sure you have good warm and preferably water-resistant mittens or gloves. Using small buckets, scoop snow in the buckets and press down firmly. Then, tip the buckets upside-down and tap to remove the snow "brick." Carefully stack the bricks to form the fort or igloo. You can help your children design their structure by showing them pictures of an actual igloo or fort. As the walls are completed, your kids may get inspired to create snow-furniture. Provide them with a spray-bottle filled with water and food-coloring so they can "paint" the walls or furniture. You may even want to provide some hot cocoa to be served in their snow-kitchen!
Snowball Dodgeball: If you're familiar with dodgeball, you'll already know how this is played. Just substitute snowballs for a real ball and let the games begin! Choose up your sides, go over the rules, and start the onslaught of snowballs. Be sure to pack your snowballs just tight enough to fly, but not so tight that they become hard. You want the snowball to burst and go "poof" when it hits the other team member. You can also play more of a game of snowball tag, in which every kid stands on their own and is only out of the game when they surrender. No matter how your kids decide to play, be sure that you get out there and join in the fun. Running around in the snow is not only fun and exhilarating, it burns lots and lots of calories!
Snow Sledding: Even without a toboggan, sled, or a big hill, you can have fun sliding around on the snow. A large piece of cardboard and a snowbank can stand in for a sled and a hill. Look around the garage or house and find any larger pieces of cardboard, tarp, or even a big plastic snow shovel. You might even put the old plastic kiddie pool to work for the afternoon! If your yard doesn't have a hilly area, a little snowbank can provide some fun "snow surfing" especially for the younger children.
Get out the hot cocoa, the camera, and the cold weather gear and head outside to enjoy some great snow activities and games. Bundle your kids up all nice and cozy, and before long they'll be hootin' and hollerin' for all the neighbors to hear. They may even get some other kids outside to join in the fun, too!
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