LCO Child Support | November 21, 2019
Tags:  Tribal Child Support Blog | Children Resources

Top 10 Snow Day Activities for Children


​November has reared its formidable head, and with November comes snow.  Snow can be fun, and enjoyable, but also snow can produce some challenges for others.  In the winter months, vehicles struggle to start, water in the home may freeze, ice makes the roads difficult for travel, and a wide range of other struggles that come with snow and ice.

However, some of the best memories from our childhood come in the form of snow days.  A Snow Day (n): a day on which a school or other institution is closed due to heavy snowfall or other extreme winter weather.  In the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, most of us reading this remember the days of waist-high deep snow falls, shoveling out the driveway and sledding with our brothers, sisters, and close relatives.

Recall, we built snow castles and spent hours on end in the snow.  Later in the day we found ourselves sound asleep with a mid-day nap and some hot chocolate. 

In today’s environment, I think most parents are seeing children spending more and more time indoors.  Children just don’t walk to school, uphill both ways, like we used to. Am I right, parents and grandparents? 

Before we stroll too far down memory lane, let’s take a deep dive into the Top 10 Snow Day Activities for Children.  

1.  “Do You Wanna Build a SnowMan?”

  1. Find a nice patch of snow with a little to no twigs or leaves, and begin working.  Grab a large clump of snow, and roll it in the fresh snow around the area.  
  2. Roll the snow and allow it to accumulate a larger ball of snow.  A good sized ball will be about two to three feet high. When the ball is firm and rounded, roughly two to three feet high.  You have a strong foundation for a great snowman. 
  3. Next, we build the body.  Repeat the previous process of rolling the snowball in the fresh snow to build another ball around two feet high.  Carefully pack the snowball so you can lift the snowball on top of the base. 
  4. Finally, build one more snowball.  This one is going to be the head. Repeat the same process and roll the snowball in the fresh snow, and pack it to roughly one foot high.  This one does need to be lighter, as you’re going to lift this to the very top of the snowman. 
  5. Once stacked, add addition snow to the crevices to ensure the balls of snow stick for long-term use. 
  6. Smooth out all sides with your gloves to ensure that you’re getting a nicely formed snowman.  
  7. Give your snowman features; place rocks or charcoals in the eye sockets and mouth for a big friendly smile.  Then, place the traditional carrot as the nose.  
  8. Place a scarf around the neck of your snowman
  9. Utilize your favorite hat to give your snowman some character, a top hat is most common
  10. Finally, utilize some sticks for arms. 

2.  Build a Snow Castle 

This one is less descriptive, but can be a great snow day activity.  Here is a simple method for building a snow fort or snow castle. 

  1. Mark out the snow fort perimeter.  Use a nice perimeter allowing you and a couple of friends to move around in your fort
  2. Make snow bricks.  One of the easiest methods to make snow bricks is to use an empty cooler or plastic tub.  Pack the cooler or tub with snow, and flip it over to dump snow brick into place. 
  3. Build a nice wall.  Once your bricks become to accumulate, you then have a wall.  
  4. Create openings.  Carve out openings with your hands (use gloves to keep from freezing your hands and fingers).  These openings are doorways, and windows.  
  5. Flatten the walls.  Use your gloves and sticks to flatten the walls.  
  6. Pull out the water hose and spray down the walls to make them sold and strong.  
  7. Dominate the local snowball fight scene

3.  Neighborhood Play Date

Now that you have a beautiful snow man and a snow fort, you’re in a prime position to hold a neighborhood play date.  Invite all of your friends over to help build forts and snowmen. Forts and snowmen are easier to come by once you get neighborhood friends to come over and help.  

Leverage your friends to build a beautiful commune.  

4.  Bake, Bake, Bake… Bake some Cookies

If you sang that in the KC & The Sunshine Band tune, give yourself a round of applause.  A great treat during the break to warm up little hands, toes, and faces includes cookies.  Cookies are simple to make, and you can typically make 20-30 cookies for all of the little snow people coming to your house for the neighborhood play date.  

5.  Sledding

Sledding is one of the most common snow day activities.  If you do not have a sled, there are a couple of ways to make sledding possible.  

  1. Laundry Basket.  According to The Art of Manliness, an online resource for do-it-yourself a laundry basket is a great option for those without an actual sled.  
  2. Air Mattress.  Another online resource recommends using an air mattress as a method of creating a makeshift sled. 
  3. Garbage bag.  In the older generations, there are smaller circles that advocate for using a garbage bag.  You can simply sit on the garbage bag, and prepare for a bumpy ride. Another method of the garbage bag sled is to wrap a soft item (couch cushion or pillow) in a garbage bag and soften the downhill ride. 

6.  Building the Snow Fort

Much like the snow castle, the snow fort comes with a roof over the top.  This one is much less detailed, but may come with a little bit more work. 

  1. Start with a mound of snow; shovel as much snow as you can into a gigantic mound.  A good rule of thumb is roughly ten feet wide by ten feet long, so a rounded 10x10 area resembling an igloo.  
  2. Begin on the entrance.  Start carving a small doorway into the fort.  As you begin carving the doorway, you’ll find yourself inside the fort.  
  3. Continue carving into the fort until you have a small space.
  4. Using your hands and shovels, continue building the inside of your fort.  
  5. Lastly, once you have completed the full inside, you’ll have a snow fort with a roof.  
  6. Water down the exterior of your fort, this will ensure that your fort will ice over and remain over time. 

7.  Movie Marathon

This is a great option for most families, as there are most snow days whereas families are snowed in.  If you’re unable to access the main roads or it is recommended to stay off the roads.  

Play the hits.  

Parents, this is a great opportunity to relive your childhood by showing your children your absolute favorite classics. Consider moves like, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi, Dumbo, Little Rascals, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Pop some popcorn and snuggle up under the blankets with your loved ones.

8.  Art Projects 

According to an article by Care.com, they recommend using a snow day to overcome snow day boredom.  Art projects allow you and your children to undertake a creative project, something artistic that can be hung on the fridge or framed.  

Consider some projects like: 
  • Flip Books
  • Landscape Art
  • Portraits of family members
  • Comic Books

9.  Science Projects 

In a recent article published on the Tribal Child Support Blog, we provided a how-to guide on making slime, entitled, “Most popular activity to do with your kids.” 

Slime is the most popular at-home activity with children according to MyKidsAdventures.com.  

10.  Shovel Driveways and Walkways 

In this time of need and heavy amounts of snow falling, you likely have neighbors in need of snow removal.  

This is a great opportunity to work with your friends and family members to go out and help members in your community.  

It only takes your time, and a couple of shovels.  Consider the elderly and disabled individuals in your community, check in with them and make sure they can get out of their homes, and into town for some of the essentials.  

In most cases, the elderly and disabled do not have the capacity to shovel their own walkways and driveways.  

Grab some friends, pick up a couple of shovels and walk around helping your neighbors.  You may be able to charge a small sum of money to do walkways and driveways. 

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