Outdoor Winter Fun for Kids

It is time to embrace MinneSNOWta and have some fun with the snow and cold temps.  My kids seem to embrace this time of year better than I do...so I decided to channel my inner child and share a few "snow and cold" ideas to do with your kiddos.

We tried to keep this list to just outdoor stuff but we had so many great ideas from YOU that we will also share a list of indoor fun tomorrow!

Kid-friendly fun: snow & cold weather ideas

Ice Marbles:  this took longer than I thought (even in the negative numbers we have had) but it did work.  Watch the video to see how we made these.

Frozen Bubbles:  We usually bring these out on the days where it is warm and toasty, but these are actually a fun toy in the winter too!  Find your bubble solution, blow it like you normally do and let it float in the air.  As it is floating, it will start to crystallize and freeze.  You might see pieces of it broken but it truly is an amazing experiment to witness.  Your kids will be amazed!

Magic Air:  While you are nice and warm (a.k.a.  inside) blow up a balloon and tie the end.  Let your child know that you have placed magic air in the balloon today.  Have your child hold on tight and take the balloon outside.  The magic air will disappear in the balloon while they are holding it.  Have them bring it back indoors and they will see the magic air filling up the balloon again.  (fyi - no special air is needed!)

Snow IceCream:  Yep...there is no longer a need to head to the grocery store for that special treat.  You can make ice cream with the snow that is just outside your door!  I have done this with my kids and even my daycare kiddos back in the day...and they had so much fun!  I recommend grabbing some new, clean snow...maybe after a fresh snowfall. Here is a simple recipe from Paula Dean on the Food Network:

• Ingredients:  8 cups of packed snow, one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Directions:  mix it all together by hand & serve in bowls

Other ideas from YOU!

• snow tubing at Ironwood Springs
• Minnesota Zoo
• Playing with the snow inside!  Suzanne said she puts out a plastic tablecloth, fills up a bucket of snow and lets her kids play inside with it.  They get out cookie cutters, spatulas and just have fun...while staying warm!
• Skiing!  There are some great hills in Minnesota and really, all skill levels can enjoy the slopes.  My friend, Lori, let me know of a great class for anyone who suffers from a disability that meets every Wednesday.  Classes are adapted for each person and is a great experience.  You can learn more at their Facebook event page.
• Jenny's kids made up a new activity that they are enjoying: dog sledding!  They have a laundry basket, their dog a put it all together and their dog pulls them around their yard and street.  Check out their video!

What cold weather activities do you like to do with your kids?  Add yours in the comments!

Join us over on Facebook!  103.1 KFIL