Whenever the weatherman predicts a big snow, you can almost hear the collective cries of joy from children, and the sighs of resignation from the adults who know they’re going to have stir crazy kids at home. Somehow the initial excitement always seems to wear off way too early in the day, leaving hours still to be filled.

Before your brood drives you batty, scan through this list of things to do at home on a snow day, from baking projects (cake in a mug) to cool crafts (homemade puff paint) and fun games (indoor snowball fight or DIY obstacle course). We think you’ll find enough ideas to keep them happily entertained until the school bus pulls up again. Have fun and good luck!

Find more crafts, recipes, and at-home projects and games in our Boredom Busters Activities Guide.

1. Set up a indoor obstacle course.

2. Try some science experiments.

3. Make hot chocolate on a stick.

4. Create and launch marshmallow catapults. 

Burn off some energy with DIY balloon tennis. Photo by Ally Noel

5. Play balloon tennis.

6. Set up a game of indoor bowling.

7. Craft a toy parachute out of a plastic bag.

8.  Learn to code.

9. Have an indoor snowball fight.

RELATED: 13 Simple Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Do at Home

Keep your baking project simple with a "cake in a mug." Photo via Pinterest

10. Bake a cake in a mug, or cook slice-and-bake sugar cookies and then give the kids food markers to decorate them.

11. Make snowflake garlands.

12. Get a jump-start on your valentines or Easter egg prep.

13. Create snow paintings. 

14. Make an ice lantern.

15. Paint with salt.

RELATED: 99 Sensory Activities for Any Child

Why buy play dough when you and your kids can whip up a batch at home. Photo courtesy of Family Education

16. Make your own play dough.

17. Whip up some vanilla cinnamon steamers.

18. Go against the grain and make yogurt pops.

19. Paint with bubbles.

20. Craft friendship bracelets from last summer’s tees.

21. Make a toy slingshot.

22. Create homemade shrinky dinks.

Gather your favorite dolls, superheroes, or stuffed animals to join you for a tea party. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

23. Have an indoor picnic, or throw a fancy tea party.

24. Make marshmallow snowmen.

25. Set up a laser beam maze.

26. Host a living room campout.

27. Draw on the windows with dry-erase markers.

28. Print snowman stationery and write letters.

RELATED: High-Tech Family Fun: 5 Ways Technology Can Be Family Time 

Stretch it, roll it, cut it, and otherwise get creative with slime. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

29. Get messy with DIY slime.

30. Paint a 3D snow scene with homemade puff paint.

31. Make maple sugar snow ice cream with fresh snow!

32. Throw some apple chips in the oven.

33. Burn some energy making butter like the olden days.

34. Set up a photo booth.

Kitchen utensils make great armor for an indoor role-playing game. Photo by Anna Fader

35. Get moving with some indoor games.

36. Make clothespin animals.

37. Put on a play.

38. Turn a pair of gloves into a bunny puppet.

39. Freeze some ice suncatchers.

40. Collaborate on story stones and spin some tales.

Top photo by San Ta/Bigstock. 

40 Snow Day Boredom Busters for Kids

1/3/18 - By Anna Fader

https://mommypoppins.com/kids/snow-day-boredom-busters-40-indoor-activities-when-the-kids-are-stuck-at-home