Do you remember being in school and going to bed with the intense hope that the “4-6 inch blizzard” heading your way is going to bless you with not needing to go to school? It was like sleeping on Christmas Eve. There was no better feeling than waking up randomly in the middle of the night and checking your window to see if the snow came. When it did, it was like the heavens were sending their trillion blessings in the form of snow flakes to grant you the only thing you want as a kid:

SNOW DAY, BABY! 

The ONLY time in my life that I was interested in watching the news was the early in the morning. You’d watch that little bar across the bottom of the screen as it panels through all the schools near you. Pure adrenaline. Pure focus. Eyes glued to the screen. When finally… YES! School is canceled! There truly is nothing like it. The whole day, stuck inside in this magical wonderland where school temporarily doesn’t exist. The whole day is magical.

First of all, and I’m just realizing this… I totally forgot about the whole, you know, pandemic changing the way school can be received. Do kids still get snow days when their dumb school can just say “no physcial school today… sign in online, chumps. You ain’t getting off that easy.” I looked it up and apparently about 40% of schools no longer offer snow days because of this. That… is the worst! I pray that you and your children are still a part of schools that allow kids (and teachers) to enjoy snow days. 

Below, we’ll talk about some of the best things you can do if you and your family are blessed with a snow day.

1. Playing outside 
   

I mean, this is a given. When life gives you lemons, you gotta make some sweet, sweet lemonade. I don’t know a single kid that doesn’t want to spend some time outside when there’s a magical world of snow blanketing their entire yard. The possibilities here are endless, as well.

\t- Snowball fights. Do I… need to explain them? You scoop up some snow. You throw them at your friends and/or enemies. If you need some notes, check out our friend Calvin as he plans to ambush his frenemy, Susie.

\t- Building snowmen is a blast for a kid. I wrote a big, long blog on how to make the perfect snowmen and what to consider. However, building snowmen should be simple fun. Don’t worry about all the “rules”. Just being outside and going for it is way more fun than worrying about what it’ll look like! 

\t- I interviewed 1,000 4th graders on their favorite thing to do outside when it’s snowing. 999 said that sledding was on the top of their list. The one misnomer kid said, “budgeting for college.” Weird kid. What can be said about sledding? It’s fun, simple, and will tire out your kids more than anything else. You can also teach a valuable lessonL working hard makes you appreciate a fun time. Working hard (in this case, walking up a steep hill) is tough and maybe not the best part of sledding, but the reward is being able to dash down on your favorite sled! The higher you climb, the more fun you’ll have. Wow, I should write a book on this. 

\t- Playing any sport game outside is a wild adventure. It changes the game entirely, which allows you guys to get creative when it comes to playing with these new “rules”. How will you play basketball when you can’t dribble? How will the white baseball blending in with the snow change the game? These types of activities not only work the body, but the mind as well. Win win. 

\t- If you want to go a more relaxing route, simply taking a walk in the snow is a calming experience. The silence from the gentle snowfall is calming, the beauty from the snow on the trees and houses is wondrous, and the smell of the clean air that comes with snow is cleansing. Really makes you appreciate the snow when it’s there. 

2. Bake cookies and drink hot chocolate 

The home becomes even cozier when there’s a bunch of snow outside. Blankets get softer, the couch is more welcoming, and the things that make a house a home get amplified from snow days. Making hot chocolate and baking cookies is a perfect activity when you’ve come back inside after your outdoor adventures. Nothing warms the soul and bones quite like hot chocolate, and what better way to enjoy them than with some freshly baked cookies? Get the kids involved in the baking process. They’ll be proud of their work. 

3. Family game/movie night

Do you have a favorite movie or show your family watches? What about a favorite game? This is a great time to snuggle up after consuming 20 cookies and allowing yourself to sink into the couch, surrounded by blankets and comfort. Whether you’re having a chill game night or fighting for your reputation as the best in the fam, a game night is going to create memories and encourage everyone to be together. 

4. Minute to win it games 

Speaking of games, this whole category of games is guaranteed good time for anyone at any competitive level. You mind find that your three year old is the best in the family when it comes to getting an Oreo from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands. Perhaps your eldest is champion of keeping three balloons up at one time without holding them. Perhaps you’ve been sleeping on your hidden talent of opening up Hershey’s Kisses while wearing oven mitts. Who will be the champion of guessing how many ping pong balls are in an empty tissue box just by hearing the balls roll around? You’ll never know until you try it! 

I pray that you and your can experience a relaxing and exciting snow day as soon as possible. May the school districts remember that kids need vacation days too!