You’re getting ready to go to take your children to school but outside your kitchen window you can see that the snow is falling heavily. The children are starting to smell the possibility of a snow day in the air, waiting on the automated message. In the case of a school closing, you have a long “To Do” list and the thought of having to stay at home fills you will a little bit of trepidation. How will you get everything done and entertain your children at the same time? Then the group text message arrives confirming your suspicions – “Interstate 15 is closed today due to a winter storm. Please keep your children safe at home until further notice.” The snow showers have presented you with a beautiful opportunity to spend quality time with your little loved ones (and your teens) to make some special memories. Your brain is racing at a hundred miles an hour to find the ideal options for maximum fun.
Its great to create a snow day play kit and wish list before the day actually arrives. This means you have a storehouse of clever possibilities to haul out of the cupboard and delight your children and teens. It could look something like this…
Its good to start off with a few rules. Number one is that you should definitely stay in your pajama’s all day. Rule number two states that every suggestion for play be met with loud, raucous shouts of, “Yes, Let’s.” Rule three says “Let’s make a mess.”
Ingredients:
When the dough pulls away from the sides and collects in the center, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool so you can handle it easily. Turn the dough out onto a clean counter and knead until it becomes silky-smooth. Divide the dough into different balls for coloring.
In the center of the ball make a divot and drop some food coloring of your choice inside. Wear some gloves and fold the dough over, working the food color into it. PLAY!
You can also transform play dough sculptures into figurines by baking them and painting them.
You’ve been stranded on a desert island and have to start to make your new living quarters with the debris that has washed up from the ship onto the shore.
Ingredients
Haul out your musical collection like “Annie,” “The Sound of Music,” “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream coat” for a dramatic sing and dance along. You can even bring out the really old classics like “Singing in the Rain,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and “Oklahoma”. Encourage dressing up for the part you are going to play.
Lunchtime can be an indoor picnic where the children pack the picnic basket, put out the picnic blanket and invite their toy friends to the party. The children pretend to be grown ups and dress up from their parent’s cupboards. Story time will be all about great picnics like Teddy Bears’ Picnic, A Picnic with Monet, The Most Perfect Spot or The Wind in the Willows.
Before you lose your teenager to their mobile devices and social media, lure them to come out of their dens and play with some of these options:
Of course there is always the option for teens and tiny tots to play outside in the snow making a snowman, going sledding or having a snowball fight.
Be prepared. Snow days are always a possibility and you want to be ready. Let the fun find you willing.
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