Things You'll Need:
- snowman making materials
- hot chocolate
- sugar and vanilla
- canned soup or soup materials to make from scratch
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Step 1
The first thing that kids will want to do is play outside. First make everyone use the bathroom (even if they don't want to). Make sure that everyone is bundled up. If you have waterproof mittens and other materials that is great. The key is to try to double layer each item. Two pairs pants, two shirts, two pairs of socks etc. I Would also suggest that one top of the child's own socks they put on a pair of Dad or Mom's because they tend to be good to tuck pants into to keep the snow from getting into the socks.
If you don't have waterproof mittens or gloves please keep in mind that cloth gloves will hold the snow, then body heat will melt the snow and that ends up with resulting in cold hands rather quickly.
To help this I try to take extra to change mid-play. If you don't have extra gloves or you don't have gloves in the first place, you can use socks. Kids typically don't care and they have just as much fun. But make sure you bring extras or you'll be inside very quickly. -
Step 2
While outside most of the time kids should be allowed to have free play in the snow to do what they want. However, sometimes it is requested that they want to make a snow man. Check out this ehow article to get step by steps on building a traditional snowman http://www.ehow.com/how_2136316_traditional-snowman.html
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Step 3
After bunches of fun it is time to come inside. Have everyone toss wet garments in the laundry and quickly change into warm dry clothes such as sweats. At this point it is nice to have a warm cup of hot chocolate. If you feel like making this from scratch then by all means but be aware that to kids it is just as fun to have a cup of packaged hot chocolate.
A note about recipes...cocoa powder typically has a good hot chocolate recipe on the label. -
Step 4
Stretch out and snuggle up. Get a large blanket and curl up together on the couch to watch a good movie.
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Step 5
For lunch you can't beat a nice warm soup. Homemade or canned is fine, whichever you prefer to make. Tomato soup with grilled cheese is also a good pick for a cold day.
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Step 6
Make snow cream-
scoop up a large bowl of fresh clean snow. Make sure that you do not scrape the ground (as you'll get grass and dirt in the bowl) and also do not get snow that has been walked in or touch. And most importantly, do not get discolored snow! :)
Mix the bowl of snow with 1 tsp of vanilla and 2 tbsp of sugar. It will make a slushy treat that the kids will love, especially if they have a hand in helping to make it!
