Though many Long Islanders are likely feeling as though they have more snow than they know what to do with this week, there are still plenty of fresh ideas for snow fun by yourself and with the kids. For these activities, make sure you and your kids are layered up for the chilly temperatures outside, and that you have gloves at the ready for any snowman, snow critter, or snow fort building. To get ready in advance, the only thing you may need besides snow would be to stock up on food coloring or Kool Aid, which can be used for the bright hues you will need for snow-coloring activities. Here are some more ways to have fun in the snow and keep boredom at bay!
Snowman Bird Feeder: Build a snowman so that the top of his head is carved out like a bowl, and fill it with bird seed. Your bird friends will appreciate it, and it will provide you with plenty of entertainment.
Snow Spray Painting: Take a spray bottle and fill it with water, then add food coloring or Kool Aid (make sure it is highly concentrated). For more fun, make a few different colors in different bottles, and "paint" the snow with your safe spray paint!
Giant Ice Marbles: Fill a balloon with water, and add lots of food coloring until the water is rich with color. Tie a knot at the end and put the balloon outside (if it is below freezing) or in your freezer. Once frozen, pop the balloon and you will be left with a large frozen orb of color that looks like a giant marble! If you don't have food coloring on hand, you can also make these with plain water, and for extra fun, you can place it on top of a small battery-powered tea light to see the orb glow and make your own luminary!
Winter Hula Hooping: Take your hula hoops outside and have the kids battle it out to see who can hula hoop the longest while wearing several layers of winter clothes.
Snow Critters: Break out of the box and make something besides a snowman - try snow pets, a giant snow caterpillar, a snow shark, or whatever else you can dream of!
Tic Tac Snow: In an untouched area of snow, draw a tic tac toe board on the ground, and play by crossing two sticks for an X and using a pinecone for an O.
Icy Scavenger Hunt: Freeze ice cubes with food coloring to give them a bright hue, then hide them around your yard in the snow to give the kids a challenging scavenger hunt.
Pin the Button on the Snowman: Just like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, have your kids put on a blindfold and take turns trying to put various parts on your snowman.
Build the Best Snow Fort on the Block: Follow these tips here to make the perfect snow fort that will make all the neighbors envious.