Showing posts with label snowman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snowman. Show all posts

TOP 10 Winter Activities for the WHOLE Family to Enjoy

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures start to drop, I tend to look ahead to spring and start counting down to summer. However, although I love the lazy days of summer, I remind myself that there is lots of winter fun to be had. Today, I'm sharing 10 winter activities for the whole family to enjoy.




1) Get Crafty - Some days require a fun indoor activity, and crafts are always fun. Younger kids can make paper snowflake garlands and spare sock snowmen. Older kids and adults can make a fun wreath for the front door. Or perhaps everyone could try a family paint night. Crafting is a fun way to get creative and relieve stress... and it's a lot of fun.



2) Get outside and play - Bundle up and get outside and enjoy all the traditional winter activities. Build a snowman, go skating, play hockey, hit the slopes, build a fort, or grab some sleds. Playing in the snow (during the day... and at night) is fun for all ages.






3) Set up a hot chocolate bar - There is nothing better in cold weather than a warm drink. Set up a dollar store hot chocolate stand, a simple hot chocolate bar, or serve the treat outside with a portable hot chocolate basket. There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious treat.





4) Have a new product tasting party - This is a simple way to spend an afternoon at home. Choose some fun new products at the grocery store and have a tasting party. Check out the "how to" here, or check out this quick little video.



5) Make snow ice cream - This is one of my family's favourite winter activities, and if you have never made snow ice cream, you need to put it on your "to do" list. It's easy, delicious, and fun. Find the full instructions here.



6) Build a fort in the living room or have an indoor picnic - Sometimes the only thing you need on a cold winter day is a blanket and a little imagination.



7) Have a movie night - Nothing says "cozy" more than cuddling up to watch a movie. Consider setting up a little concession stand to add to the fun. You could also choose a movie with a winter theme, like "Cool Runnings", "Jack Frost" or "Frozen".




8) Have an indoor snowball fight - If it's too cold and wet to be outside, try an indoor snowball fight. Make pom poms to throw, or try the fun cottonball throwers here.



9) Bake something - Baking with kids is both educational and fun... and there is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies on a cold winter day. You can find the recipe for our favourite chocolate chip cookies here.



10) Have a campfire - Fires aren't just for summer, so get outside and gather around the fire pit. I love the idea of cooking hot dogs over the fire for supper... and don't forget to make s'mores for dessert!





What's your family's favourite winter activity? I absolutely love all these ideas, don't you? 


Gina Bell
 (aka East Coast Mommy)



If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

DIY Hot Chocolate Bar... with free printable "Snow Day Hot Chocolate Bar" sign

Hot chocolate bars are perfect for winter. They are simple to put together, and they are popular with people of all ages. Who doesn't love to wrap their hands around a hot cup on a cold day?


Mason jars (of different sizes) are great for displaying the "hot chocolate bar" ingredients. Consider including: hot chocolate, marshmallows, cookies, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate kisses.


You can also add some simple decorations to your table. I used some dollar store snowflakes, a dollar store tablecloth, and a snowman sign I designed.


To download the sign I designed (for free): click on the photo below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 8x10 photo.


You can also decorate white styrofoam glasses with Sharpies. How cute are these snowmen cups my boys made?


Kids (and adults) will love creating their own hot chocolate creations. Clearly my youngest son has an affection for whipped cream and sprinkles! lol


A simple hot chocolate bar is a perfect place to gather together after a fun day playing outdoors.


What would you include in your hot chocolate bar? The possibilities really are endless. Add your favourites, and have some fun!


Gina
 (aka East Coast Mommy)

Spare Sock Snowman

I am in love with the adorable little craft that I am sharing today. This sweet snowman is made from a single white sock and a few other basic supplies. Adults and kids will enjoy making this spare sock snowman, and it is really simple to create using my step-by-step tutorial.


To make your own spare sock snowman, follow the pictures and instructions below.


1) Start with a plain white sock, and fill the toe with split peas (or something else that will give it some weight and keep it sturdy). Secure with an elastic.

2) Add some cotton filling for the head, and secure with an elastic.

3) Fold the top of the sock down to form a hat.

4) Use glue to add a pom pom to the hat, googly eyes, a felt carrot nose, and buttons. I used tacky glue that is suitable for use with fabric.

5) Draw a mouth with a permanent marker.

6) Cut a strip of felt to make a scarf, tie it around the snowman's neck, and use scissors to fringe the ends.


Don't you just love how cute this little guy is? He really was simple to make, and a spare sock has never looked so good!


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

And if you want to make another cute craft with socks, check this out:



Don't miss out on any of the fun... follow me on social media here.

     

You can find MORE simple snowman crafts and activities here.

13 Snowman Crafts and Activities

Winter is winding down, but there is still time to squeeze in a little more winter fun.  Today I am sharing a fantastic collection of fun and easy snowman crafts and activities that I have done with my boys.  They are guaranteed to brighten up a dreary winter day.



Check out the links below for more details, great tutorials, and free printables.

1) Snowman snack - Kids will love transforming Oreos into these adorable (and tasty) snowman snacks. They are a perfect snack after an afternoon of sledding. Get the full "how to" here.



2) Snowman door - The kids will have a fantastic time transforming a plain white door into an adorable "indoor" snowman.  Find the secret behind this cute creation here

3) Snowman Mug - Grab some markers and white dollar store mugs, and you'll have everything you need to make these adorable snowman mugs.  Find the full tutorial here.

4) Snowman Party Favor - These treat bags make sweet winter snacks and adorable winter party favors.  Find the free printable tags here.

5) Snowman Gift Tag - Make a present extra special by having kids make their own homemade gift tags. Find the tutorial for this super-cute snowman tag here. 



6) Snowman Kisses - Print this adorable box, place a chocolate kiss inside, and share it with someone special. You can download the template for this sweet "kiss" box here.


7) Toilet Roll Snowman - Grab some toilet rolls from the recycling bin and a few craft supplies, and the kids will love crafting these adorable little snowmen.  You can find the full step-by-step tutorial here


8) Snow Globe - This paper snow globe is a lovely craft for a snowy day.  With a few simple supplies, you can make an adorable snowman that is guaranteed not to melt indoors.  You can find the full tutorial here


9) Snowman Soup - Snowman soup is fun to make and a delicious treat on a snowy day.  Find all the details here


10 ) Upside-down Snowman - Put a spin on a traditional winter activity by building an upside-down snowman.  You can read about this fun snow day activity (and more) here.



11) Olaf Hat - I love this simple Olaf hat craft. Just click the link, print the template, and start crafting!


12) DIY Olaf Costume - Who wouldn't love to dress up as this adorable snowman. Click the link for the full step-by-step tutorial for this NO-SEW costume.

13) Spare Sock Snowman - Seriously... have you ever seen a cuter spare sock? Click the link for the simple step-by-step tutorial.


I hope you enjoy these fun and easy snowman crafts and activities us much as my boys and I did.  Enjoy the snow while you can. Spring will be here before we know it!


Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

5 Fun Snow Day Activities

We have had a number of "snow days" this winter, and some are more fun than others.  Today was fantastic because the snow was good, and the temperature was moderate... so I thought it was the perfect day to share our 5 favorite snow day activities.


1)  Build a silly snowman - My boys loved building this upside down snowman.  How cute are his rubber boots?



2)  Go sledding - Is there anything more fun than speeding down a hill on a sled with your brothers?  My boys don't think so.


3)  Drink hot chocolate with marshmallows - After a morning outside in the snow, my boys love to warm up with hot chocolate and marshmallows.


4)  Build a fort - When the boys need a break from playing outside, a pile of blankets and pillows can keep them entertained for hours.  Today our fort was a space ship, a secret spy hideout, and the Olympic village.


5)  Make snow ice cream - Snow ice cream is our favorite "snow day" snack, and today I let the boys add a few treats to it.  You can find the recipe for snow ice cream here... or check out our YouTube video here.


Don't you just love a good snow day?  My boys are now cuddled up on the couch watching a movie... and I am ready for a nap!  :-)

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Don't miss any of the fun....