Snow days can be a blessing or a curse. They’re great if you plan to stay in and binge-watch your favorite shows, but they can also wreak havoc on your work and school schedules. Thankfully, there are ways to make snow days more bearable, especially for parents of school-aged children who need to find something productive to do with their kids.
Here are five ways to make snow days better:
Plan ahead
If you know you’re going to have an unexpected day off, you can plan some fun projects or activities for your child to keep them busy and happy. You can also order some books online that you can read to your kids. What’s more, you can download and listen to plenty of audiobooks with your children that are especially great for snow days. You can also find a puzzle online that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level. You can also take advantage of the time to help your child improve their reading skills by reading aloud or having your child read to you. You can also make a game out of these activities if your child is young.
Heated Pathways
If you have a driveway covered in snow, you can remove it and have a heated driveway installed to make it easier for your children to get in and out of the house. This can make the snow days less stressful for your kids since they won’t have to worry about getting their shoes or pants wet from the snow. Heated pathways are especially helpful if you live in a climate where snow is average. These driveways are a bit of an investment, but they pay off in the long run. If you have small children who will be playing in the snow, you may also want to invest in snow-shoveling services. Many homeowners’ associations will let you hire snow-removal companies to take care of this, but that’s not always the case.
Go for a family walk or hike
If you have snow on the ground, you can take a family walk or hike. This can be a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, and it can be a great way to get your kids more active as well. If you live in a cold climate, this is an excellent way to get outside while the snow is still on the ground. You can also go for a hike when the snow has melted, but the weather is still cold. This is a great way to spend time with your children and get them out of the house. If you live in a city, you may want to wear special gear to protect your children’s legs from being cut by rocks and other debris.
Host a snowball fight or game of tag
During a snow day, you can have your children host a snowball fight or game of tag. This can be a great way to get kids using their energy during a snow day and is a lot safer than having them run around outside. You can also play board games indoors or have a family reading competition. If you have an indoor play structure or indoor playground nearby, you may want to take your children there for a few hours. This is a great way to get them out of the house without having them do anything too strenuous.
Let your child help out around the house
If your child is old enough, you can let them help out around the house while they’re stuck indoors during a snow day. This is a great way to get them to feel more like they’re making use of the day. You can have them help you with cleaning or cooking. They can also help you with yard work if you need them to. If your children are too young to help with chores, you can have them make toys or crafts. You can also have them color or draw while you do some cleaning or yard work.
When it comes to snow days, it’s important to remember that every child is different. While some kids will be happy to have a day off from school, others will feel bored and frustrated. The best way to make the most of these days is to plan and have some activities ready to keep your kids happy and busy.