For families who live in cold weather climates, snow days are often a regular occurrence. Parents of school age children often face the probability of at least one winter weather related school closing every year. In extreme cases, school closings can last for several days due to heavy snowfalls, power outages, and icy roadways.
Watch the News — Keep an Eye Out for Information on School Closings
In some cases, like when inclement winter weather is strongly predicted, schools may issue parent notification letters to alert parents of school closings. When advanced warning is not available, it may be necessary for parents to watch the evening or morning news to get up-to-the minute information on school closings. It is a good idea to have a battery-operated radio on hand, in case a weather-related power outage makes watching the weather on television impossible.
Outside and Indoor Fun and Games for Snowed In Families
Snow and icy winter weather conditions that close schools make getting to work impossible, and forcing families to stay cooped up in the house together can feel a lot like being under house arrest. Snow days, however, are a wonderful way for families to reconnect with each other. Don’t pass up the opportunity to spend the day enjoying the mounds of available winter snow. Bundle up in warm clothing and go snow sledding, practice the fine art of snowman making, have a snowball fight, or create igloos, snow sculptures, or snow angels.
Come in from the cold and warm up with a freshly built fire in the fireplace, a cup of hot cocoa, or a bowl of chili or soup. Drag out a selection of your families favorite games. Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, Clue, or even a deck of cards can be a fun and warm way pass a cold winter day or evening.
Snow Day Foods and Treats
A hot bowl of soup or chili, a steaming mug of hot chocolate, or an icy bowl of homemade ice cream made from freshly fallen snow are perfect snow day family pleasers. Listed below is a simple and delicious recipe for snow ice cream.
Snow Ice Cream
Ingredients needed:
- 1 small box of instant pudding (any flavor will work)
- 2 tsp of vanilla flavoring
- 1 1/4 cups of white granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups of very cold milk, half and half, or heavy cream
- 3 quarts of freshly fallen snow (shaved ice cubes can be substituted)
Directions:
- Combine pudding mix, vanilla, milk or cream, and sugar together. Mix well.
- Stir mixture into freshly fallen snow or shaved ice. Serve immediately.
Make Snow Day Memories Your Family will Treasure
Avoid feeling as if you are under house arrest when winter weather makes going to school and work impossible. Reconnect with your family by spending time playing outside in the snow, and then warm up inside with hot food, steamy hot cocoa, games, and homemade snow ice cream.
Kelly Dupree - My love of animals, especially cats, and my interest in science has led to a serious passion to write well researched articles.
