Try Our Fun-for-All Snow-Play Activities

If you're expecting to see a lot of the fluffy white stuff this year, you'll want some extra ideas for keeping the whole family occupied outdoors. This season, forget about spending the entire day sledding. There are countless ways to have fun in the snow—some you may not have considered. Before heading out, browse our fun-for-all snow-play activities to give the whole family new meaning to the phrase "snow day."

Catch some snowflakes. On a snowy day, take the kids outside for some snow catching. Before heading out, make sure the little ones are wearing dark mittens/gloves. Bring a magnifying glass along and let the kids "catch" snowflakes in their glove-covered hands. Hold the magnifying glass above the snowflakes and examine their shapes. The kids will get a kick out of how unique each flake is.

Release your inner artist. Snow is nature's canvas! Simply mix food coloring and water in a spray bottle to make snow "paint." Then, take your spray bottle outdoors, find a large snow bank in your backyard or help the kids build a snowman, and let them go to town with the spray. Snow painting can bring out the artist in all of us—and best of all, if you mess up, you can start over on another snow pile. If you're having trouble getting started, make a snow angel and fill in the angelic shape with your snow-paint shades.

Whip up a snowman snack. Make a tasty treat for the kids to enjoy after a day of snow play or just an afternoon at home.

Yields: 1 Snowman Snack

Ingredients
3 vanilla wafers
1 tablespoon vanilla icing
Raisins/sprinkles/candy corn/other garnish

Instructions
1. Place vanilla wafers on plate so they are in a vertical line.
2. Coat each wafer with vanilla icing.
3. Garnish snowman however you choose. Some ideas: round sprinkles for eyes and mouth, candy corn for nose, and raisins for buttons.

Make paper snowflakes. If your area doesn't see much snow, help your kids create some snowflakes of their own. Paper snowflakes are an easy-to-assemble craft that also make for the perfect holiday decoration. Just be sure to supervise, as scissors are involved.

Materials:
Piece of white paper
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Start with a square sheet of white paper. Fold paper in half diagonally, forming a triangle.
2. Fold paper in half diagonally again.
3. Hold paper so triangle base is at bottom. Fold paper into thirds from the center point. The resulting shape should resemble a piece of pie.
4. Using scissors, cut off excess at the bottom part of the pie shape to reveal a small triangle.
5. Cut small shapes around the outside of the triangle, using designs of your choice.
6. Unfold paper to reveal your snowflake.

With these snow-play ideas in place, your kids will never be strapped for ways to enjoy the wintry weather. Get the whole family involved for a fun-filled day of snow, snow, and more snow!