Spirited Essence Works

What a winter so far! Snow just keeps on coming into our forecast. With that being said, what do you do to keep your kiddos occupied. Yes, they can totally play in the snow. But, when it’s not above 18 degrees before noon, what do you do? Well, here’s are 10 ideas to keep your kiddos from becoming stir crazy and to keep you from having a cocktail before 2 pm.

I love this weather! Yes, call me crazy. But, it’s winter and I’m from the south. It’s a rarity if it snows in the south. Actually, if there is an idea that a flake of snow is going to fall in the south, the whole city shuts down. So to me, watching the snow fall is fabulous. No, I get it. I am driving to work in it just like you. But, there is something about winter that just makes me so excited. There again, I know there are some of you thinking this lady is nuts. But, in my house, it’s exciting. Not being used to snowfall, my youngest asked me if Santa Claus is coming again. Ha! I know! Yet, it’s adorable all the same. We are not used to this weather. My kiddos love it though. It is such an excitement to them.

Below are 10 ideas, to enjoy the snow. But, if you kiddos are anything like mine, after 45 mins to an hour outside, they are asking to go in.

Snowy Day Adventures

1.) Play in the snow

No brainer, right!?! My kiddos love it but like I said before after 45 mins to an hour they are ready to come inside and warm up.

Sledding, snowball fights, and snow angels are fine and dandy. In moderation though.

We have winter gear, yet they can’t play outside all day regardless.

2.) Easter Egg Snowballs

I know, I know!!! Jumping the gun at holidays. But, this keeps your kiddos hands from freezing up so fast.

Grab some of your leftover plastic Easter eggs from last year, and let them pack snow into the eggs. It keeps their hands from freezing up so fast while making snowballs and is a faster route for your smaller kiddos to make a snowball quicker in a snowball fight.

3.) Paint!!!

Dollar tree has started to carry 8×10 canvases and this is fabulous. Give your kids a topic to paint and let them go wild. Mine love to paint what they see outside and also different topics given to them like cats, sharks, Spider-Man, etc.

3.) Kaleidoscope Coloring

Get your kiddos a piece of paper. Ask them to look through their kaleidoscope, then tell them to color what they see. It truly is amazing what they come up with.

4.) Indoor Playgrounds

Can I get an “Amen”? Thank goodness for indoor playgrounds. My boys are pretty tough at withstanding the cold but to be able to let them run wild in a climate controlled environment is a Godsend! We have a place in town and it is perfect. There are slides, ball pits, climbing walls and plenty of space to run around in. I bring them there at let once a week during the snowy times just let them release some energy.

5.) Baking

Nothing spells winter to me like baking. I think it should be an unspoken rule. In our house, if you grab the flour out of our pantry, the boys know something is being put together in our kitchen, so it is time to grab their step stools and help.

6.) Reading

It is winter! So what better time than to grab a book and divulge yourself into a new world.

My boys love to read and thank goodness. To me, it is quite important to read daily. My kiddos love going to the library and picking new stories to read each week. There again, this is a space that they don’t have to wear a snow suit and get cold from being outside too long. Also, the library has fabulous programs to take advantage of that your kiddos are sure to enjoy.

7.) Family Game Night

This is a regular occurrence in our house. My boys love board or card games. Lately, we have been stuck on “Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes” and “Go Fish!”

Not only are your kiddos having fun but also learning.

8.) Snowy Bonfires

Just because it’s snowy outside, doesn’t mean you can’t have a bonfire. Well, unless there’s a burn ban… But otherwise, your good! And with a bonfire outside, it makes playing in the snow a little more enjoyable. Also, roasted marshmallow breaks always help too.

9.) Dance Parties

Have you kids pick a music genre or subject. We use Amazon Music but any music player would work. Search for the genre or subject, find a station and break out the dance moves. The toys even let out their dance moves in our house.

10.) Purge and Organize

Yes, I know sounds so boring. But if you are stuck in your house and staring at all of your junk, it makes you think. The boys are very good about going through their toys and books and pulling out things that they just don’t play with or read anymore. Our playroom is part of our “Dance Hall,” so with less clutter it gives you more space to bust a move.

11. Ice Bubbles

You need to make sure it is about 20 degrees or under. Blow bubbles onto the snow and they will freeze beautifully. We had tried it at first when it was about 30 degrees outside and it just wasn’t cold enough so we waited for a colder day to test again.

12. Snow Volcano

Have your kiddos build a volcano structure in the snow. Make sure you compact the snow very well. Then, grab you baking soda, food coloring, and vinegar. Make a hole in the top of the volcano structure to pour in the rest of the ingredients. Start with the baking soda, then add a few drops of food coloring. Last, pour in your vinegar. And tada, you will have a snow volcano erupting in your front yard.

I hope these few ideas, help make your family have more fun during this snowy winter. Also, let me know if your family has any new ideas of what to do during these winter conditions. Happy Winter!