Play for Snow Days!

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are today, but where I am in ND, it is -18 degrees with a wind chill of -42.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Most of the US is in a deep freeze right now, so there is not a lot of outside play going on.  But, it will eventually warm up, and kids can go back outside to play and get some fresh air. Where I live, we have winter/snow for at least another 3 months- plenty of time left for some outdoor fun. So, get your kids off of the couch, away from the TV and put away the technology for a while when it does warm up.  The benefits of outdoor play are numerous! Kids can get all kinds of sensory input and heavy work for their central nervous systems by digging and playing in the snow.

Here are some winter/snow activities that you can do outdoors in the winter:

-make a snow angel
-make snow blocks using a snow brick maker

Snow Brick Maker like the one above- 6.99 at Toys R Us

-make some snow balls the old fashioned way, or use a snow ball maker.  Have a snow ball fight, or launch your snow balls at a target

-give your kids some kid size snow shovels and shovel some snow

Kiddie Snow Shovel- 6.99 at Toys R Us

-dig a tunnel through a snow hill or make a snow fort

Snow Castle Building Kit- 27.99 at Toys R Us

-make a snowman-  you can even find snowman kits to add the details
-snow paint: put in spray bottles and/or in squirt bottles and make some snow art.  Find out how to make your own here:  http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/12/squirty-snow-paint.html

-play with a snow slinger.  You can find one of these at Target.com.
-blow bubbles outside and watch them freeze when it’s -32 degrees or less
-ice skate.  Play some hockey.
-go sledding/snow tubing
-pull a friend or sibling in a sled
-freeze food colored water in ice cube trays/gelatin mold rings and use them as blocks to build with outside
-make a maze through the snow

Can’t play outside?
-Bring some snow indoors- put it in the bathtub to play with.  Have your kids wear gloves, or if small enough, they can wear their snow gear and get right in the tub.

-insta snow:  instant snow for a sensory experience without the cold!
http://www.vat19.com/dvds/instasnow.cfm?adid=gbase&gclid=CPrh1ff9n7wCFedAMgodnjUAhg

Here are some fun links that I found for some more ideas for snow play:
http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/snow-activities-kids/
http://handsonaswegrow.com/32-snow-theme-activities-kids/