8 Snow Day Activities for Preschoolers

8 Snow Day Activities For Preschoolers -I'm Not the Nanny

If you haven’t heard, a nor’easter will soon hit the  southern United States and the east coast beginning today. Which probably means a 5 day weekend for my kids, thanks to President’s Day holiday on Monday. I’m planning ahead and making a list of snow day activities for preschoolers. Both for my sanity and the kids when cabin fever hits. After we take a few runs on the sled, of course.

Here’s a list of snow day indoor activities for your preschooler (and older):

1. Before you head outside to build a snowman, watch my friend Pammy Pam the Unconventional Librarian read The Biggest, Best Snowman by Margery Cuyler. Then your kids can make their biggest snowman ever.

2. Make a rain stick using items you can find right in your kitchen (and recycling bin). Amiyrah at Four Hats and Frugal has an easy to follow rain stick video tutorial. (If you don’t have spaghetti, my kids have used beads and Lego pieces!)

3. Bake with your preschooler. Gather the kids and whip together something healthy like my whole wheat chocolate banana muffins. They taste so good, your kids will forget that the muffins are healthy. Check out my tips for baking with your kids to make sure everyone has fun.

4. Do a puzzle. Brandi of Mama Knows It All shares a list of 5 types of puzzles for kids, including links to free printables. Puzzles are great when you need a bit of quiet time.

5. Act out a story. We made a library run yesterday in anticipation of the snow storm, but you can grab your child’s favorite book off their shelf and let them act it out while you read aloud. Need some inspiration? Here’s children’s librarian Rachee of Say It Rah-Shay acting out Pete’s Pizza by William Stieg at her storytime:

6. Make pompom animals/crafts. A while back we purchased a huge bag of crafting pompoms, googly eyes and pipe cleaners. With a little bit of help from me with a hot glue gun, the kids created their own menagerie of pompom animals. Or while the kids make animals, you can make yourself a pompom hair clip.

7. Take off those socks and make kid prints! If you don’t want to get too mess, your kids can make hand prints instead of footprints. Sarah from How I Pinch A Penny has a video tutorial on how to turn your child’s prints into works of art. (Think Mother’s Day gifts.)

8. How about a science project? Try making gak using household ingredients or microwaving Ivory soap. If your kids are fans of PBS Dinosaur Train, their Nature Trackers Club has lots of great activities.

I know we won’t do all of these things over our long weekend, but it’s good to get my kids away from the television and computer for a bit.  What snow day activities do you do with your preschooler?

Need more ideas? Try 9 ways to entertain your kids when it’s cold outside.

One Response

  1. Amiyrah February 15, 2014