by Tracy Lynn Smith

Created on: October 20, 2009

When the snow comes down in the winter it is an amazing sight. Then the kids want to go and play in the snow. After the first few minutes, the kids are looking at you wondering what they should do next. There are many fun activities to do with the kids in snow. A great idea is to make a snow fort. The snow fort can be an outside play house and help to protect from the cold winter wind as well.

To make sure the kids can really enjoy the snow and the snow fort; make sure they have the proper clothing for playing in the snow. Required clothing should be snow pants, boots, gloves, hat, and a heavy coat. Gloves also should be water proof. The cloth gloves are not meant for playing in the snow; they are only meant to keep your hands warm from the cold air. The cloth gloves will get wet from the snow and make the kid's hands very cold. You can also play in the snow without snow pants, but regular pants will get wet, so you won't be able to play for very long.

Building the sides of the snow fort is the trickiest part of building snow fort. Molds for building blocks with snow can be bought at many local stores for a few dollars. You can also find for sale online here. The molds will be helpful for keeping the snow uniformed and well packed.

Line the inside of the snow block with plastic wrap or a plastic grocery bag. Leave part of the plastic hanging down on the side of the block. This will help encase the snow gets stuck inside the block. If the snow get stuck inside the block just pull lightly on the side of the plastic to pull the block out.

Tightly pack the snow into the block. Turn the block upside down where you permanently want the block. Pack the side of the block lightly if needed. Continue this process until you have the bottom layer of the wall done. If the snow is packed well and not falling apart you can continue to the next layer. Add layer until you reach the desired height or the snow starts to fall apart.

If the snow is not packed well or starting to fall apart sprinkle some water lightly over the snow. A watering can with a sprinkle end will work great to help lightly spread the water without drenching the snow. The water will help to freeze the snow and make the blocks more permanent until the heat rises. Depending on the temperature outside, wait ten to twenty minutes to allow the snow block to harden. In some part of the world it could take just a few second for the snow block to harden.

After the walls are all set up the way you would like them to be. Use the block to make chair and a small table inside. For the chair lay four bricks stacked two layers high. Then sprinkle the chair with water, so it will be able to hold the child's weight better. Repeat for a second chair. You can make one chair three layer higher for taller people.

For the table lay the snow blocks in two by four pattern and one to two layers higher then the chair are. Again sprinkle with water to harden the table.

You have now create a wonderful outdoor play fort for the children to play in. The fort should last until the weather warms up and melts away the fort.

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