Winter Activities. (For Parents Who Live Where It Snows)

I'm in WA too ~ we spend a ton of time outside playing in the snow (building snowmen, snowball fights, jumping on the trampoline, ride the 4-wheelers and sledding). Inside we build forts, play with puzzles, read books, watch movies, bake, pretend camp (I set up a tent), play the wii, surf the web and play some on-line games. My boys are 8 and 4 and play pretty well together with legos and dressing up in old costumes which gives me time to do projects like organize cupboards and clean out closets and do my housework.

I ban video games during the summer, but in the winter, I allow them fairly frequently because we're in MN and it gets too cold to even enjoy the outdoors. I also like to keep a nice stash of board games, new books, and crafts.

When it IS nice enough to be outside, of course, there's sledding, ice skating, snowman and snowfort making, and all that good stuff.

Here are some great ideas I found! http://www.sheknows.com/holidays-and-seasons/articles/806...

I'll be using several.

I also suggest playing "Sardines." It's like reverse Hide and Go Seek....and it's LOTS of fun if you have the whole family involved!

Here its the usual snowmen, snowball fights, snowforts, sledding, (if they are old enough sleds pulled by four wheelers), tubing the snow, Ice skating, ski, snowboard, (Hills are not to big here but they work)

Inside its baking, movies, crafts, hot cocoa.

Its more fun when you are spontanious.

How old is your daughter? My boys like skating, tobogganing, snowboarding, making snowforts, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. They are also responsible for shovelling the sidewalk. It is important to me to make sure they get out every day for fresh air, even if only for 30 minutes (unless it is colder than -40). We dn't spend much time at home, and when we do it is usually for homework, movies and video games. We do spend lots of time at the library, the YMCA and museums when it is cold out.

We are a snow lovin' family! We love taking the kids to local sledding hills and going sledding. Our son is a sledding maniac and wants to "catch air". Our daughter is still little but loves loves loves it as well. We all love to ski - both downhill and xcountry skiing. We ski almost every weekend. We are lucky because a ski pass here in our small town is very inexpensive compared to other places. If you have ski areas near you it is fun to take a weekend trip, take lessons, and have a great time learning to ski. I highly recommend it! Both our kids started learning as soon as they could walk and were taking lessons by age 3. Ice skating is another thing we love to do. Go to the local ice rink for the afternoon - take lessons if you need to. Kids pick it up fast if you go regularly! Snowshoeing is also super fun and a nice way to get out into nature. Drive up to the mountains and pick a trail to snowshoe on. This is how we get our xmas tree each year (yes we get a permit). Pack a picnic lunch, let your dog run around in the snow, etc. We love to rent a yurt or cabin that you ski out to and spend the night...it's one of our all time favorite things to do in the winter. Build a snow fort in your yard - our son spends so much time doing this in the winter. Build a bunch of snowmen together. Make a huge pile of snow in the middle of your yard for your daughter to slide down. One key to enjoying winter is to get out into it! Buy your daughter her own snowshoes and xcountry skis just to play around in your yard on. She can start getting the hang of it. And another key to enjoying winter is to invest in GOOD outdoor clothing so you don't get cold - smartwool socks, polypropylene long underwear, fleece, and good outerwear are really important. Bring hand warmers in case you need them and a thermos of hot cocoa!

We live in the no-snow (rain rain rain... wait... yep, rain) part of the state...So we drive to the Pass for snow stuff. Which means our excursions are planned.

In general, we're snowboarders. We also dabble a bit in dogsled. But that's because our lab is a husky in a Labrador suit (doesn't swim, doesn't fetch, but mushes for days).

The few times we actually LIVE in snow... We spend about 10 hours a day outside, and 4 inside. Unless its 20 below. Then its just like living in perpetual rain: inside all the time except when schlepping from point A to point B (can you tell how much rain thrills me? :P)

In the snow... As long as you're warm and dry (aka have quality gear, and its not frostbite weather or blizzarding out ), its like summertime on a giant soft beach. You can literally do just about anything. Including picnics, kites, hikes, building, tag, volleyball, read, etc.). In fact, beach people TEND to make really great snow people. As long as you've got good gear!!!

Do NOT skimp on snow gear. It's the difference between LOVING it outside, and being miserable. This means gortex for kids, as well. So they don't overheat or freeze. Which (at apx $500 from nose to toes) gets EXPENSIVE. EXCEPT, very few people buy new or buy new FITTING clothes. You'll find kids snow gear in October "swap" type gatherings... Where prices are pretty standard... Apx $100 per top or bottom. And then next year, you sell yours for the same prices, and buy someone else's.

Quality gear lasts for about 10 years, but will need to be washed with TekWash (detergent ruins it), and rewaterproofed once a year ($10.

That... Or buy new in BIG sizes, and get 3-4 years of wear out of them. Cuffs usually cinch/Velcro, and waists are adjustable... For just this reason. Kids not only don't care, but often WANT the slinky/baggy look (easy to move in) when they get older. LOL... So you end up buying "too big" even when they're done growing.