Activities for a Snowy Day

Photo by: Ethan Hu on Unsplash

On a snowy day, embrace the snow and get outside if you can!  Being outside has many benefits for children and will help to release some of their energy, so they can be more relaxed when indoors.  Have children help to shovel the snow, build snowmen, build a snow fort or just run around in the snow.





​​














​
​If going outside is not a option, here are some ideas of how to make the most of your snowy day from the comfort of your home!

Indoor ideas:

• Make a puzzle: From simple to challenging this can be a great indoor activity for children to work on individually and with family.
• Have a game tournament with different board or card games: Play UNO, Spot It, or your family’s favorite game.
• Build a fort: Get out those old sheets or blankets and turn your living room into a secret fort.
• ​Get creative with recyclable materials: Make a dollhouse out of old cardboard boxes or a car track out of masking tape.
• Indoor Movement: Create a mini workout, such as:
  • Make a Sled – Make your body into a sled by holding plank pose.  Give a stuffed animal a ride on your back!
  • Snowball – Start in a sitting position on the floor.  Tuck into a ball and hug knees into chest.  Keep this position and roll forward, backward, and side to side.
  • Cross Country Skiing: Place feet on two small towels and slide feet back and forth while staying in the same place!
  • Snow Plow (wheelbarrow walk): Hold the child’s feet and have him walk on his hands. Try a snow plow race with a friend!
  • Polar Bear (bear crawl): Start in a downward dog position and walk forward with only hands and feet on the floor.
• Have a spa day: Fill the tub with warm water-soak your feet and have fun with foot massages or painting nails.
•  Cook something: Involve your children in the kitchen and have them help you with baking some snow day treats or making lunch/dinner.
• Work on those fine motor skills: Cut out snowflakes with folded paper.
• Let your child be bored: ​This is when their own creativity will shine! Structured activities are wonderful and necessary with a long day inside, but allowing your children the time and space to use their own creativity is also important throughout the day! 

---

Photo by: Caleb Woods on Unsplash

Blog by: Caitlin Kraft, Student Occupational Therapist