Snow Day Delight: Fun and Educational Activities for Preschoolers

Winter is here and with it brings the chance of a few wintery snowstorms! A few days spent inside while snowflakes swirl outside your window can be magical but when it cancels school and activities,  you may find yourself having a hard time keeping your little ones occupied. A great way to save yourself and your little ones from getting antsy after they’ve played out in the snow is to prepare some fun activities and games that you can pull out when you need to! We’ve compiled a list of engaging DIY crafts, cool science experiments, entertaining games, and cozy book recommendations to make the most of those unexpected snowy days.

 

Snowy DIY Craft Ideas

Paper Plate Snowflakes

If you’ve got some extra paper plates lying around from the holidays, this craft is perfect. Grab some paper plates, scissors, and markers. Help your preschooler cut out snowflake shapes and decorate them with colorful markers. Hang them around the house for a winter wonderland feel. Try to fold your paper plate into quarters to make symmetrical snowflakes. 

Cotton Ball Snowmen

Another craft that you’ll likely already have all of the components for! Grab some cotton balls, construction paper, and glue. Let your little one create adorable snowmen by gluing cotton balls onto paper and adding paper accessories like hats and scarves.

 

Easy Snow Science Experiments

Snow Slime

If your little one is a fan of slime, it might be worth stocking up on everything you’ll need. To make a sparkly snow slime, mix white glue, liquid starch, and a dash of iridescent glitter. This tactile experiment is not only fun but also great for sensory play!

Melting Snowman

Build a snowman indoors using baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. Watch as the snowman fizzes and melts, creating a mini science spectacle. For a full walkthrough of the experiment, check out Little Bins, Little Hands.

 

Indoor Snow Day Activities

Snowball Toss

Create a target with a large cardboard box or a laundry basket. Use soft, plush snowballs or rolled-up socks for a safe and fun tossing game.

Penguin Waddle Race

Pretend to be penguins by waddling around the house. Set up a “racecourse” and see who can waddle to the finish line the fastest without slipping.

 

Cozy Book Recommendations

“First Snow” by Nancy Viau

With rhyming text and cheerful illustrations, this is a charming celebration of the winter season.

“Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner

Ever wondered what snowmen do when you’re not looking? This imaginative book has the answers.

“The Snowy Nap” by Jan Brett

In this instant winter classic, Jan Brett’s Hedgie tries to stay awake so he doesn’t miss out on all the snowy fun his friends are having

 

Snow days can be an unexpected gift, providing opportunities for creativity, learning, and family bonding. Whether you’re crafting paper snowflakes, making snow slime, having a penguin race, or snuggling up with a good book, these activities are sure to turn any snowy day into a memorable and educational experience for your preschooler!

8 Ways to Entertain your Little Ones on Cold Days

We hope everybody had a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Winter is almost here and the temperatures are dropping quickly here in South Jersey, we had the coldest Thanksgiving in a century! While they forecast the temperatures to climb back up, we thought we would put together a list of ways to entertain your toddlers on cold, bitter days. The cold days of winter will be here soon, and kids quickly develop cabin fever. These activities can keep them busy, help them develop skills, and keep you sane at the same time!

  1. Toy Car Tunnels and Race Track – This one is always a kid favorite! Use masking/painting tape and create streets and a racetrack for your kids to use their toy cars with. Get creative and use cardboard to build tunnels, bridges, and ramps.
  2. Dance Party – When your kids get antsy and are struggling to sit still for any period, turn your lemons into lemonade! Use your tv, computer, smart speaker, or phone, crank up the music and let the kids go to town! You’ll find that the kids love an impromptu dance party, and if you get in on the action, you might even get your daily workout done as well!
  3. Build a Fort – Grab blankets, chair, and other furniture to build an awesome fort that can transform into a house, boat, or airplane with just a little imagination. When your kids have grown tired of their fort, you can throw some soft, comfortable blankets in the fort with books or an iPad and let the kids unwind a little.
  4. Puppet Show – Kids have such an amazing imagination and puppets help bring out all of their creativity. Using dolls, action figures, or even socks, you can craft a wonderful puppet show that will keep your kids interested and focused on their imagination. Have your kids come up with their own puppet show afterward!
  5. Sink/Tub Time – Let the kiddos know it is bath time for their toys. You can host a Barbie day spa or a car was for the cars and trucks piled up in your playroom. Kids love playing with water, and you get to clean those toys — it’s a win/win! If you really want to get creative, fill the sink with dried beans or rice and let them play with scoops, cups, and bowls!
  6. Photo Albums – Family bonding over a photo album is always a great activity. You can look at your current photo albums and talk about your memories of those photos, sharing stories and laughing together. Afterward, suggest adding more photos to your current albums with your kids, or even starting a new one that the kids can have a hand in crafting! This is a great opportunity to talk about your family tree – a concept we take for granted, but little ones don’t yet understand.
  7. Matching Game – Socks, ribbon, paper, toys, buttons, coins, etc, kids LOVE to match items together. Create a pile of items and have your kids match them up, this activity will keep kids occupied while strengthening fine motor skills!
  8. Art/Painting – A go-to for every parent is art/paint time. Toddler absolutely love getting paint on items and making colors, mixing, and making a mess! Find shells, rocks, paper, some paint and watch your kids’ eyes light up. Want to allow the kids to paint but relieve your stress level a little? Try this edible paint recipe that will keep you from stressing out over the mess!

Do you have a list of activities that you use you occupy your littles one on really cold days? Let us know in the comments below!

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