Most kids don’t get overly excited about remote learning, or school closures due to the pandemic. But there’s something about a snow day that brings a healthy dose of joy! Whenschoolss are officially closed for the day, teachers aren’t necessarily taking attendance for online classes. Kids have the opportunity to be kid, on a good, old fashion snow day! Let’s talk 15 budget-friendly snow day activities you should try!
The snow, wind and cold may not be joy-inducing for you as an adult. But as a child, there’s something so exciting about jumping into a fresh pile of snow. The creativity options are endless when there’s fresh snow involved. So, what 15 budget-friendly snow day activities should you try this winter?
#1 Make a snow fort!
A snow fort can be built using minimal supplies. It doesn’t need to be extravagant. You can pick some snow brick/block maker molds from your local store. Then it’s as simple as filling the block maker with snow and simply stacking the blocks of snow on top of each otheruntill you’ve built a neat wall.Supposef you don’t have a brick/block maker mold handy or can’t head to the store. Use Tupperware containers or small storage containers. They will have essentially the same result.
#2 Go sledding!
It’s a classic, so obviousl,y I couldn’t leave it out. Sledding is such a fun experience for both children and parents alike. It’s not just about the fu,n though, sledding providesa fantasticg amount of exercise for your child and yourself. Don’t be afraid to join in the fun! Because sledding can provide you with incredible,wholel bod,workoutt!Three3 health benefits of sledding:
- Aerobic exercise – Walking up the hill to sled down again, or pulling the sled up for your child, will provide you withan excellente aerobic exercise. It’s recommended that adults get 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (according to the American Heart Association). It’s good for you and your kids, so don’t be afraid to join in the fun!
- Good for your mental health – Some studies have shown that exposing yourself to nature can benefit your mental health by alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression! That’s a great reason to head to the sledding hill.
- Strengthens your lower body – Forget leg day at the gym! Walking up the sledding hill strengthens your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves.
#3 Have a winter scavenger hunt!
If you got lots of snow, then take some simple, waterproof toys outside for a scavenger hunt. Toys like plastic animals and rubber ducks work perfectly. Write down each item that you are hiding outside. If you are burying the items in the snow, then mark them on top of the snow with a little bit of food dye so you don’t lose the items till spring. Give your kids a printout of what items are hidden outside, so they know exactly what they’re looking for.
#4 Paint snow!
Mix water with food dye, and place different colours in a few squeeze bottles or spray bottles. Let your kids go outside and paint the beautiful snow colours! Maybe they’ll even paint a beach for you to enjoy.
#5 Make a snow kitchen!
Let your kids use mixing bowls, spoons, and baking sheets to create amazing delicacies in their snow kitchen! They can decorate their creations with outdoor finds, like twigs, leaves, and rocks!
#6 Get baking in the actual kitchen!
If your kids are a little too cold to keep playing outside, consider trying out #6 of the 15 budget-friendly snow day activities: baking! Locate some straightforward, kid-friendly baking recipes! Help your kids bake some warm cookies, muffins, or banana bread! Make sure they join in on the clean-up while their treats are baking.
#7 Indoor fort building!
If the outside is just too cold, or you have a snow day that is freezing rain instead of snow. Then you could build some fun indoor forts! Using pillows, blankets, chairs and flashlights, your kids can make a super cozy fort. Utilize their fun new forts for quiet/reading time.
#8 Have an epic dance party!
Crank up the tunes, and put on your dance shoes! It’s time for an indoor snow-day, dance party! My guess is that Encanto might be a part of the soundtrack for your dance party. If you’re getting tired of the Disney soundtracks for your dance party then be sure to add in some of your favourite (kid-appropriate) songs. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to dance, just move your body and have fun!
Health benefits of dancing:
- Excellent source of aerobic exercise
- Increased muscular strength and endurance
- Better coordination and flexibility
- Good for your heart and lungs
Just remember, there’s no ‘right way’ to dance. There are thousands of different dance styles, if you can’t find one that works for you, then make up your own!
#9 Snuggle storytime.
Snuggle up with your favourite cozy blanket, maybe even inside the neat fort that you built. Add in some hot chocolate and enjoy a story together. You could even jump into a Schoolio Novel Study to add more structure and adventure to your storytime.
Benefits of reading together:
- Reading exercises the brain – If you have more than one child, then have them take turns reading different sections of the story/novel. Alternatively, if it’s just you and your child, then you and your child can take turns reading.
- Reading is a great source of entertainment – If your child is bored, encourage them to read!
- Improves literacy – Reading new words, and practicing the words they already know is an excellent way to improve your child’s literacy.
- Reading is stress-reducing – Believe it or not, reading has the ability to reduce stress. Some benefits can include: Lower heart rate reduced blood pressure, and lower stress levels.
#10 Create crystal ice balls!
This one is super fun, and a fan favourite with my kids. They take a balloon and fill it with water and a couple of drops of food dye. Then tie it up and place it outside! Before you know it, you will have a super cool crystal ball. Another neat thing you could try: Blowing bubbles outside! See if they freeze!
#11 Make snow treats!
If you have access to clean snow or are able to put a bowl outside to catch snow right from the sky. You could always make some good ol’ Canadian syrup treats! Heat up some maple syrup in a pot. Then pour the maple syrup over the safe, clean snow, that you have set aside with a popsicle stick!
#12 Have an indoor picnic!
Put down a nice-sized blanket, and make some sandwiches! It’s time to have an indoor picnic! This will make mealtime a little more fun on a snowy day. Play some tropical music and pretend you’re somewhere warm!
#13 Have an indoor fashion show!
Lay out blankets or towels like a runway, and tell your kids that they have to choose the outfits for their fashion show. Play some upbeat music and let them show off their cool, outfit creations! This is an excellent time consumer and gives your child a chance to use their creativity muscles.
#14 Make some crafts!
This one is pretty cliche, but I figured I’d mention it anyway. Crafting is always fun! Sure it can be messy, but creativity usually is. Let your child make some fun art, like using modelling clay to create a snowman!
#15 Acts of Kindness!
The last of our 15 budget-friendly snow day activities is Acts of Kindness! Help your child learn the joy of doing an act of kindness for others. Maybe you have an elderly neighbour who can’t get out to shovel the snow? You and your child can head to their driveway with your shovels and get to work. Clearing walkways and shovelling driveways is an excellent energy burner, time consumer and joy giver.
Whatever activities you choose to do on your snow day, I’m certain they’ll be fun. So, get out there! Make some memories and utilize the snow day!
