Will there be a snow day? That’s the question on everyone’s minds. The bigger question is: Do we get to stay in a pajamas, watch movies and drink hot chocolate all day (even though we’ve been doing that since last year? #askingforafriend)? Well, ever since remote learning became a thing, many school are switching to e-learning, which is noted in the list, but we think snow day activities should also be on the itinerary!
As you put your kids to bed tonight, check our comprehensive and up-to-date list of school closings. We also included so many creative ways to enjoy a snow day. You’ll love our lists of the best places to go sledding, ice skating, and more!
Chicago Area School Closings
What to Do on a Snow Day
Snow Day Activities Inside the House
Vote for Your Favorite Kid-Friendly Places! – There’s currently a vote going on and you don’t want to miss it! Click here to vote for the best places in Chicagoland.
Hot Cocoa and Cookies Bar – Whip up a batch of hot cocoa and set out fun mugs, whipped cream, candy canes, marshmallows and sprinkles and let the kids go to town. If you have an easy cookie recipe, make those on the side and let the kids decorate.
Marshmallow Snow People – Set out a bowl of giant marshmallows and let the kids skewer them onto sticks. Then decorate with little candies for their faces, pretzel sticks for arms, and maybe a chocolate kiss for the hat. Get creative with what you have around the house and have the kids make one for each member of the family!
Paper Snowflakes – This has always been a favorite of my kids that I also loved doing as a kid. Use coffee filters and fold in half and then in half again. Have fun cutting all sorts of shapes and then open to see your unique creation. If you want to take it a step further, color your coffee filter snowflakes with markers and spray with a water bottle – the end result looks tie-dyed!
Snowy Art – Dip a cotton swab in white paint and dab little polka dots all over blue or black paper to create a snowy scene. Add snowmen, polar bears or snow-filled trees to your piece. Glue on cotton balls for some added texture.
Build Something – Build a snow village with Legos, blocks, tinker toys or anything similar. Build an inside snow fort with pillows, blankets and sheets. Build an interesting snow structure with toothpicks and marshmallows. Have your kids think outside the box to build using materials they can gather around the house.
Get Musical – Whether it’s music from the movie Frozen or anything your kids like to sing along to, put on some music and have a dance party. Play freeze dance, put on a musical theater show or have a karaoke contest.
Have a Picnic – Kids can make their own sandwiches as well as their own choices for fruits, veggies or snacks. Instead of lunch at the table, find a spot around the house to lay down a blanket and have a picnic lunch.
Play a Game – From charades, to hide and go seek, to hot and cold, there are plenty of games kids can play that require nothing at all besides their imaginations. After a round of these, move on to favorite board games or card games. Some of our favorites include Uno, Life, and Apples to Apples.
Homemade Slime/Playdoh – My kids are currently obsessed with making slime in every color of the rainbow. There are tons of safe and easy recipes you can look for on Pinterest. Our easiest slime recipe consists of school glue, shaving cream, contact solution and food coloring. You can also add scented oils, foam beads or glitter to jazz things up!
Places to Go on a Snow Day: Outdoor Ideas
Play outside – Shovel, make a snowman, build an igloo, make snow angels, get out the sand toys and build a snow castle. My kids also like to pull each other on the sled up and down our driveway or down the block.
Get crafty with the snow – Mix a few drops of food coloring with water and put in spray bottles. Kids love spraying to create vibrant designs in the snow. You can also paint the snow with actual paintbrushes dipped in a solution of food coloring and water in a variety of shades.
Go Sledding – There are lots of great options for sledding right in your neighborhood. It’s also fun to check out new hills in nearby towns. Check out our awesome list of places to go sledding!
Go Ice Skating – In addition to sledding, there are plenty of rinks, both indoor and outdoor to choose from. After the snow stops, rinks can be cleared! Check out our comprehensive list of places to go ice skating.
Libraries – More in the mood for a quiet activity? Many libraries are opening so you can actually walk inside! Grab some movies and books at your local library, then snuggle up and enjoy.
Whether you choose to stay cozy and line up activities to do inside the house, or put on your snow gear and venture out, snow days are always great days for making memories!
See our resources for families page for more helpful tips from local parents.
