by Barbara Webber

Created on: November 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 23, 2009

There is no better time of year to get outside for some family fun then the snowy winter months! That's right, winter! Sure the summer sun is nice, but can you build forts and throw snowballs under the hot sun? No! So if winter's got you down and the snow has kept you inside, bundle up, get out the hats and mittens and get ready for some one of a kind fun.

Build a Snowman - It seems obvious but this time honored snow activity is more than just a fun day outside. It is a day when your children create a new friend. A day to experience a little winter magic together as a family. Start with a simple snowball and roll it around to create a large body, then repeat for a smaller ball to be the head. Don't stop now, find sticks for arms, rocks for eyes, give him a hat and scarf, and of course a carrot nose! You will watch your children's faces light up as they create this new friend. Then go inside and watch Frosty the Snowman while you warm up!

Build a Fort - This is not as difficult as it may seem of the snow is just right. You need packing snow, and a lot of it. Using two long benches turned on their sides (seat sides facing each other) about a foot apart, create the walls. Simply place the benches across from each other and fill with snow. Do this for four sides in a square. Don't forget to leave an opening for a door. Use this base to pile on the snow until the walls ate as high as you can reach. Once the four walls are high enough, you will need a large tarp, a piece of ply-wood, or another square, flat covering to serve as the roof. If you are very good with the snow, you can try to make a snow roof, but this is much more difficult than simply covering with a tarp. Your children will delight in the creation of and playing in this snow fort. In the cold winter months a little daily maintenance can keep this fort up for days.

Snowball Fight - What's a winter without a little fun throwing snow. Some simple rules can keep this fun and light without any tears. Don't use snow that becomes hard or icy when balled. Instead look for fluffy loose snow that will simply break up on impact. Snowballs should be thrown to the abdomen or legs only. If needed, time-outs should be implemented for rule breakers.

Go Sledding - Find yourself a good sized hill and gather up a bunch of friends to have a sledding party. This activity is most fun when lots of people are involved. Don't have sleds? No worries, get out the garbage bags. Plastic garbage bags slide easily on the snow and make great sleds that anybody can afford. If you're all bundled up in winter clothes, you can even try going sledless. On the slipperiest snow, this would work out perfectly!

Pretend it's the beach - Why should all of the fun of the beach be reserved for summer when snow is just as fun as sand? Build snow castles, dig wholes, make trenches, try with the snow all of the things you might do with sand at the beach. Get out the pales and shovels and play. Bury your bodies and even picnic outside. The possibilities are truly endless.

Don't let the winter get you down. Gather up your family and friends and get out there in that snow. And at the end of the day, nothing is sweeter than warming up with a cup of hot cocoa and good book.

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