Happy 2014!!! It's a Snow Day Today!

It's so embarrassing that I haven't added a single post on here since last January.  Today we are snowed in here in New York City and most of the surrounding areas.

I came across a post that I had put together awhile back on my old blog (Multi-Tasking Momma) and thought it might come in handy for those parents who need to keep the kiddies entertained while they are stuck inside.

Yay, Snow Day ... Now What?

School is closed for the day.  The kids are overjoyed.  Time to get bundled up and head outside for some good old fashioned winter fun.  Snowball fights, build a snowman, build a snow fort, make a snow angel.  All of that should last, if you're lucky, about an hour and a half.  What to do after you've come back in, warmed up and had your hot chocolate?  Most likely, the kids will plop themselves in front of the television or start playing video games.  If you're looking for something else to keep the kiddies entertained, why not give one or more of these indoor activities a try?  Most of these activities are geared towards younger children from around 4 - 10, but to be honest, my almost-18-year-old would gladly do any of these!

Picnic Lunch– You have to feed them anyway ... Pretend it’s summer and have a picnic lunch on a blanket in the middle of the living room. Bring out  the stuffed animals and even place a few potted plants if you have them around the blanket for a touch of the outdoors.

Sock Puppets – Go through the sock drawers for a handful of orphan socks. Get some yarn, buttons and big fat needles. Have fun creating wacky puppets and then put on an equally wacky puppet show.

Snowflakes – No two snowflakes are alike. Bring out the white copy paper and a few scissors and have a blast creating your own snowstorm indoors. Hang them around the house for a winter wonderland both inside and out.

Write a book - If he or she is old enough to sound out and write their letters, they can spell the words phonetically and write it on their own.  Then they can draw pictures to go with the story.  If they're too young to write for themselves, they can narrate and you could do the writing for them.  When its all done, bind it by punching holes in the pages and tying them together with yarn.  Or put it in a report cover if you have one handy.  Be sure to write the date somewhere on the book.  Over time your child will have their very own collection of books that they authored.  Not only will they serve as keepsakes, but they'll be able to see how their writing skills (spelling, grammar, etc.) has developed over time.

TP Bowling -  Save those cardboard TP rolls and arrange them like bowling pins on one end of the hall.  Stock up a few balled-up socks on the other.  Bowl or throw at the “pins,” and you’ve got an indoor bowling alley.

Scavenger Hunt - Hide 5-10 objects in random places and make a list for your child to find them.  Clues for younger kids are helpful.  To make it challenging for older kids, do a "psychic" scavenger hunt.  In this variation, you give a vague description of the item and let the kids figure out what it is.  If they bring the correct item, they get a point.  Hiding the objects for this isn't necessary.

Puzzles, Word Games, Board Games - you could never go wrong with these oldies but goodies.  I've never heard of someone having a miserable time while playing Candyland or Chutes and Ladders.