Mom vs. the Dot: Making it COUNT!

It's 31 degrees out, the snow is falling, and I'm gearing up for a whole day of snow activities with the kids.  We're going to have some fun!  I think the secret have having fun when the kids unexpectedly have the day off (or are stuck indoors) is to have some ideas on hand that are quick, easy, and you already have the supplies on hand. Last time it snowed, we used bottle caps to embellish our snowmen. We have tried in years past, but our snowman eyes and noses usually fall off.  These caps become inset in the snow, almost screwed in and sealed - they last until the snow melts.  And they add a splash of color. And we drink so much milk and juice, that we always have a supply of caps at the ready. And, of course, no matter what the texture of snow, we usually bring some snow indoors .  It's sensory play, and my kids just love scooping and pouring.  I have read that's a pre-math skill, but I'm not going to tell them they're learning.  ...

INDOOR SNOW PLAY!!! Yes, you read correctly.  Bring some snow inside!! Last year, I saw some Pinterest pics of people bringing it in and filling up their bathtubs for their kids to play with.  Fun idea, but I prefer a smaller scale version for my kids.  A fraction of the work and all of the fun.   We use a giant, disposable aluminum pan - when temperatures are too cold for them to play outside, I shove my boots, hat and coat on, then sprint out to the back yard, fill up the pan, and bring it back into the warm, cozy house.  You could use an under-bed storage bin or your a cake pan - whatever works!  We did this for the first time last year and the kids played with it for 2 HOURS!  What in the world did they do with it that engaged them for 2 hours? Here are a few things we did to prolong the fun: 1.  Digging - Provide cups, spoons, snack-sized applesauce or yogurt containers, and other digging tools.  I alwa...

Ah, the first snow day of the new year!  The kids are so excited - they can't wait to don their snow gear and plunge out into the snowy world for fun fun fun! I personally look forward to putting layer upon layer of shirts, hats, socks, mittens, and snow-proof outerwear on my children - 30 minutes of effort for an hour of fun. Yes, I have finally reached the point where the 30 minutes of snow-garbing is less than the time they spend outside.  Except for my 3-year-old.  It's his first year where snow is actually fun, but I don't see him lasting out there more than 10 minutes. When they were two or under, my children would reappear in the house within 5 minutes of their release into the winter wonderland to announce that they're cold and they're finished and can I please help them take all their soggy things off. So, if your children aren't quite old enough yet, or your children become cold easily and can't hack playing outside in the frigid temper...