20 Snowy Day Activities to do with Kids

The Greater Cincinnati area is supposed to turn into a wintry wonderland again this weekend, just ahead of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which means a 3-day, snowed-in weekend for most kids and their parents.

Snow days are the bane of some parents’ existence.
The thought of being stuck inside with kids for an unknown amount of time is exhausting.
There are things to do — work, cleaning, cooking, social media — that are ten times harder to do when kids are around. But, if you spend a little time on the front end with your kids, you’ll find your snow days will run more smoothly.

Good News
You don’t have to be a Pinterest parent to spend quality time with your kids. Simple things that don't require crafts of any kind are perfectly acceptable.

Here’s a list of 20 things to get you through your snowed-in weekend:

1. Dance party
2. Movie day/night
3. Draw a picture together
4. Chores
5. Build a tower
6. Gym class - You can be the gym teacher and call out different exercises your kids should perform (5 jumping jacks, 5 push-ups, 5 crunches, etc.).
7. Follow the leader
8. Indoor soccer
9. Puzzles
10. Scavenger hunt - Write a list of things your kids have to find throughout the house. Make it a competition if your kids can handle that. Then make a clean-up competition at the end so that everything gets put back in place.
11. Treasure hunt - Make a map or give a list of cues that lead to one cue after another until they finally find the hidden treasure.
12. Nerf war - Put those Nerf guns to use this weekend.
13. Reading time
14. Sledding
15. Build a snowman
16. Charades
17. Would you rather - We have a "Would You Rather" book at home we take turns reading from, but you can make it up on the fly.
18. Yoga - Use your own knowledge, or, if you're like me and know almost nothing about yoga, find a children's yoga video on your TV, phone, or tablet.
19. Fashion show - Each of you pick 3 of your favorite outfits and strut your stuff. Feeling brave? Let your kids pick out some outfits for you....and maybe let them do your hair and makeup!
20. Lip Sync Battles - Choose a judge and performers and swap after each battle.

Commit to putting away your phones & tablets for at least 1 hour every day of your snow-filled weekend to enjoy family time. Have fun and be safe if you're driving around Cincinnati this weekend!

Erica L. Daniels is a pediatric mental health counselor in the Cincinnati area. She works with anxious children, depressed children, and children who have experienced negative events. She also works with parents to help them manage their children’s difficult behaviors. For additional information on how Erica might be able to help your child or you, go to www.childcounselingplace.com.