11 Things To Do With the Kids While Snowed In

A.k.a. how to turn “I’m bored” into “I spilled cocoa in the couch, but I’m joyful about it.” You’re welcome.

Indoor chaos, but curated Low prep High giggles Minimal screen guilt

Pro Tip: Before you begin, announce “Today is a Snow Day Olympics.” Hand everyone a “medal” (a sticky note circle) at the end. The medal category can be very specific, like “Most Dramatic Sigh” or “Best Fort Architect.”

1) Science Crafts 2) Snow Measuring Stick 3) Yoga 4) Pop See Ko 5) Simple Recipes 6) Fort Building 7) Floor Is Lava 8) Indoor Snowball Fight 9) Scavenger Hunt 10) Family Vision Board 11) Movie Night Upgrade

Winter Crafts With a Science Twist

Best for: kids who love mixing things

If your kids are going to make a mess anyway, it might as well be educational chaos. Bonus: you get to say “This is basically a lab” while you wipe glitter off the dog.

Easy winter crafts and activities with a science twist for kids

READ THIS

Chill Out! 5 DIY Winter Crafts and Activities You Can Do With Kids

These are the kind of activities that make your kids feel like geniuses and make you feel like you have your life together. Briefly.

Open the article →

Make it extra: Put on “scientist goggles” (sunglasses). Announce every step like a dramatic documentary narrator. “And here we observe… glue. In its natural habitat.”

Make a Snowman Measuring Stick (STEM + bragging rights)

Best for: kids who must measure everything

Your children will learn measurement. You will learn that your driveway snow depth is somehow a competitive sport. “We got FOUR inches.” “Well we got FIVE and a half, Susan.”

DIY snowman measuring stick craft for kids to measure snowfall

DIY

DIY Snowman Measuring Stick: A Fun Winter STEM Activity for Kids

Make it once, use it all winter, and let your kids announce “official” snow totals like tiny meteorologists with strong opinions.

Get the steps →

Parent win: This is secretly a boredom prevention device. Every hour: “Go measure again.” Science.

Stream a Kids Yoga Video (Cosmic Kids Yoga = sanity with glitter)

Best for: wiggles

Cosmic Kids Yoga is basically a reset button for the whole house. It’s movement, stories, stretching, and the magic trick where your child is quiet for thirty seconds.

Cosmic Kids Yoga (YouTube)

Pick any video that matches your vibe: calming, energizing, or “we are all emotionally feral today.”

Browse Cosmic Kids Yoga videos →

Make it fun: Declare “Yoga Zoo.” Everyone must hold a pose long enough for you to name the animal. “That’s not downward dog. That’s sleepy raccoon.”

Interactive Dance Break: “Pop See Ko” or it didn’t happen

Best for: instant laughter

If you haven’t Pop-See-Ko-ed with your kiddo on a snowy day, you haven’t lived. This is your official invitation to be cringe on purpose. Kids love that.

Parent Challenge: Do it twice. The second time, you must commit emotionally. No half-Pop See Ko energy.

Try a Simple Recipe (warm bellies, distracted children)

Best for: snack diplomacy

Snow days run on carbs and feelings. Here are a few low-stress, high-reward ideas.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot cocoa
Mini marshmallows
Whipped cream
Sprinkles or crushed candy canes

Fun twist: Let kids “name” their drink. “Snowstorm Supreme.” “Marshmallow Mountain.”

Pizza Bagels

Bagels (or English muffins)
Sauce
Cheese
Toppings

Parent win: Kids assemble. You supervise like a calm, tired judge.

Mug Cake (Microwave Magic)

Box cake mix
Water
Chocolate chips

Shortcut: Use a simple mix and make it a “science experiment” about what heat does.

Snow Ice Cream (If you have clean snow)

Fresh clean snow in a bowl
Milk or half-and-half
Sugar
Vanilla

Important: “Clean snow” means not the kind next to the road. We like joy, not regrets.

Build a Fort (a.k.a. indoor real estate development)

Best for: long stretches of time

Kids blanket fort inspiration for a snow day

Forts are where snow-day memories live. Also where all your couch cushions go to retire.

The Classic Blanket City

Chairs + blankets + clips. Add a “front door” sign. Charge imaginary rent.

The Cardboard Castle

Boxes, markers, tape. Add a drawbridge. Declare yourself Queen of Snacks.

The Reading Nook Fort

Pillows + flashlights + books. Make it “library rules” inside: whispering only.

The Stuffed Animal Summit

All plushies invited. Everyone gets a “job.” Somebody is Head of Security. Obviously.

Fort Upgrade: Put a Bluetooth speaker inside. Play “storm sounds” or “castle music.” Pretend you’re not enjoying it too.

Play “The Floor Is Lava” (Snow Day Edition)

Best for: energy levels that frighten you

Floor is lava game idea for kids indoors

The floor is lava. The couch is an island. The throw pillows are stepping stones. You are the dramatic narrator of doom.

Easy mode: Use painter’s tape “safe paths” on the floor.
Hard mode: They can only step on objects that are the color blue.
Parent mode: You sit on the couch and declare what counts. Absolute power.

Indoor “Snowball” Fight (no regrets edition)

Best for: sibling diplomacy

Make “snowballs” out of rolled up socks, soft pom-poms, or crumpled paper. Set boundaries. Declare a referee. Overact every hit like it’s a dramatic soap opera fall.

Game Ideas

Target practice into laundry baskets
Capture the flag (a dish towel)
Defend the fort

Rules that help

No face shots
Soft items only
Everyone stops when the timer beeps

Snow Day Scavenger Hunt (your living room is now a quest)

Best for: distraction that lasts

Write a quick list, set a timer, and watch your kids sprint like tiny treasure hunters fueled by destiny and Goldfish crackers.

Copy/Paste List

Something fuzzy
Something blue
A book with a creature on it
Something that jingles
A spoon that is too big

A sock without its partner
Something shaped like a circle
A toy with wheels
Something that smells good
Your coziest blanket

Bonus: Add “bring me a kind note you wrote for someone in this house.” Instant cozy-core.

#10

Make a Family Vision Board (cozy goals, zero pressure)

Best for: snow days that feel like a reset

Snow days are perfect for soft resets. Let everyone dream a little. Goals can be big (“learn to read chapter books”) or honest (“more pancakes, fewer lost mittens”).

GOALS

Want to Crush Your Family Goals This Year? Try Vision Boards

Let kids lead. Let glitter happen. Let perfection go.

Read the how-to →

Snow-day twist: Add a box called “Winter Wins” and let kids define success. Examples: hot cocoa nights, fort naps, pajama days, kindness surprises.

#11

Upgrade Movie Night (make it an event, not a screen situation)

Best for: end-of-day survival

Movie night with tickets and snack passes turns “just a movie” into a full-blown premiere event. Low effort. High magic.

Make paper tickets. Tear them dramatically.
Set up a snack tray with 3 choices only. Protect your peace.
Turn the fort into a theater.
Let one kid announce the “coming attractions.” Emotional damage guaranteed.

Snowed-In Permission Slip

You do not have to be productive today. Your kids do not have to be “enriched” every second. If everyone is safe, warm, and laughing at least once, you’re winning the Snow Day Olympics. Gold medal energy. No speech required. Hot cocoa optional but encouraged.

11 Things to Do When You Are Snowed In