Surviving Snow Days: Tips From the Experts

Issaquah District schools are closed Tuesday as is Eastside Catholic, and the Lake Washington District is running two hours late because of the stormy winter weather. And heavy snowfall is in the forecast for Wednesday. Already coming off a three-day weekend, parents may be spent when it comes to creative ideas on entertaining kids. Our sister Patch in Woodinville turned to our sites in the eastern United States, a region much more versed in the ways of snow, for tips on snow-day fun.

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Don’t stay inside. Sure it’s cold and snow can be messy, but getting the kids out for a bit, while it may add to your short-term stress, can prove quite helpful in the end. Shovel snow, make snow angels, throw snow balls, and build miniature snowmen. They might not want to stay out too long, or better yet, you might not want to stay out with them, but even a few minutes will help relieve the cooped up jitters. When you’re all done, head inside for some hot cocoa and marshmallows

Bake a treat! This might require some scrounging through the cupboard (or borrowing the proverbial cup of sugar from a neighbor). It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it will help to get the kids focused on something other than the TV for at least a few minutes. There’s the warmth from the oven and the sweet fragrance to fill the house.

Revert to PJ’s and go to the movies. The TV is not necessarily your enemy. Choose a movie they don’t normally get to watch. Maybe even make a production of it.  Have the kids create movie tickets as a quick craft and then help with “concessions.”  

Build a fort. Grab a bunch of blankets, pillows, chairs and small tables from around the house and go to work. Again, this can be messy, but it can also be an awesome time to tap into your kid’s creativity. Come up with a theme that will help boost their imaginations. 

Re-set and Repeat. By the end of a snow day, you may be tired of looking at the mess created by the efforts to keep kids entertained. Why not put them to work? Get them involved in “re-setting” the house. Make sure to give them small tasks so they can see the progress. Then it’s time to head outside again.  At least the house will be clean for the 10 minutes they’re out.

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Play: Dig out the Monopoly game, Scrabble game, or any other board game for a family tournament. A jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table can also be a fun focal point for the entire family.

Get Artsy: A craft project of any kind will keep the creative juices flowing.  Get out the supply of construction paper, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue and glitter. Have the little ones create a gallery of masterpieces for the fridge.  Have any spare cotton balls around? A snow scene on dark blue paper with cotton balls and silver glitter will bring the winter wonderland indoors. 

Feed the Birds: Another fun activity to do with the kids is peanut-butter-birdseed pinecones. Loop a strand of wool, string or ribbon on the end of a pinecone. Roll pinecones in peanut butter then dip in birdseed. Hang outdoors as a tasty treat for our feathered friends.

Good luck, parents.