by Sande Waybill

Created on: November 17, 2009

Providing that you are suitably dressed, snow offers you a winter source of enjoyment. The obvious coat and waterproof footwear may need additional clothing if you plan to do certain activities. As an example, if you want to make a snowman, you will need thick gloves that are waterproof if you want to avoid numb fingers or chilblains.

SNOWMEN
Making a snowman is one of the most popular all-age activities. For those who have not had childhood experience of snow, snowmen are often the first activity undertaken other than creating a snowball. One of the simplest ways to create a snowman is to roll a large oval snowball about on the ground to build up the size. When you have a large ball, roll it to where you want to situate your snowman and begin to build it to the correct shape by adding further handfuls of snow. Rolling a smaller ball to place on top makes the head, and then you are ready to decorate your snowman by making facial features out of pebbles.

SNOWBALL FIGHTS
Rolling up a wad of snow and tossing it through the air can be fun at any age. Children often play in groups and have snow war games, whilst older people usually throw a snowball at a sibling or friend. If you are alone, you can still enjoy snowballs - instead of throwing them at other people, try aiming them at a target, such as a wall or tree trunk.

HIKING
If the snow is only a few inches, you can enjoy the crisp fresh air by taking a regular hike. This can be enjoyed both on city streets and in the countryside. If there is a larger fall, you might fancy taking a snow-hike. This is where you travel to a place with a couple of feet of snow and walk through it. You can find such places in parks, car parking lots, and against buildings in the city, or on ordinary walking tracks in the country. You will of course need gumboots and possibly also waterproof leggings in order to stay warm and dry. It can be great exercise, as the snow makes it impossible to simple stroll and you need to lift your feet much more than usual.

SLEDDING
Even if you do not have a proper toboggan, you can still enjoy sledding. Many other items can be used in place of a proper sled. These include a wooden or metal tea tray, a large and folded cardboard box, a broken-off chairs seat, or a piece of strong plastic. It is best to find a slope that is not close to a road and without too many obstacles. Many towns have a hillside track, sloping parkland, or perhaps an abandoned pit. Providing there is enough snow and no likelihood of crashing into a tree or prickly bush, you can enjoy yourself.

SCULPTING
Snow makes as good a sculpture material as sand. You are not limited to building a snowman - there is no limit to what you could create. Some villages hold contests, but if yours does not, you can still create a masterpiece. Perhaps you would like to make a cartoon character, or maybe you would prefer to sculpt a piece of furniture. You might like to take a photo afterwards, to keep as a memory for when the snow melts. Remember to wear thick gloves to protect your fingers from going numb or getting chilblains later.

SNOW HUTS
One of the most popular items to sculpt is a snow hut. It is a bit like making an igloo, using snow instead of ice. Whether you create a rectangular block and carve out a door and windows, or whether you build walls and try to establish a roof, it can be an entertaining way for spend a few hours whilst the snow is present.

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