Ask A Baltimore Expert: Keeping Your Kids Entertained On A Snow Day
Celebree Learning Center
1306 Bellona Ave.
Lutherville, MD 21093
(443) 841-7140
www.celebree.com
Marie Gantz-Hoerr works for the Lutherville branch of the Celebree Learning Centers. Marie has been in the field of child care for several years, and her passion has led her to the position of Center Director. Celebree provides services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old and also offers a summer camp for school agers. The center is open 12 months a year and offers full- or part-time child care. Celebree centers don't just babysit children, they provide a fun, challenging learning environment where your child may experience personal improvement and education that is so enjoyable, they will be asking for more!
Igloos are the housing choice of the snow-bound. You may not be stranded in the Arctic wastes, but looking at the snow covering the out of doors, it may feel like it. Fortunately, you don't have to know how to build snow-blocks out of doors in order to build an igloo. Take old sheets, pillows and couch cushions and build away. Start by making a pillow fort, then drape a sheet over it for a great igloo effect. This is a great place to cuddle up with a good book or use as a play area. The kids can have snow-time fun right inside the house.
On a snow day, children naturally want to play in the snow. But this is an activity that probably won't last very long. Fortunately, the snow play can continue indoors. You can make your own snow without getting cold and wet. Combine baking soda and shaving cream for a fun and messy activity. This indoor snow can be molded into shapes to make indoor snowmen or a winter wonderland right on your table. Children can throw snowballs at one another that can be wiped right off of them. Fortunately, it is a mess that won't leave your house sticky and can easily be wiped away with a sponge.
Watercolors are legitimate art materials that can be used by children without much mess. You may not have art supplies lying around the house, but there is an easy solution. Make your own watercolors with a wintery twist. Add food coloring to water and put in the freezer, then use the colored ice cubes to paint.
Related: Best Sledding Spots In Baltimore
You don't have to wander too far out in the snow in order to play with it. Some snow fun may be had right on your own porch. Take an old spray bottle, combine water and food coloring and you now have a fun way to paint snow by spraying the colored water outside. Kick up the painted snow and let the colored flakes flurry together to make a rainbow of fluffy colors. Another creative application of this activity would be to build a snowman, and then decorate it in a far more creative way by painting him up in all the colors of the rainbow.
Of course, there is only one thing that kids immediately want to do when they look out the window and see a winter wonderland: get out there and have fun! Keeping your blood flowing is a great way to keep your brain active. If you don't have sleds handy, don't worry. Children often know how to make their own snow fun. Get out there with your kids and show them how to throw snowballs, build forts, make snow angels and, the old classic, build a snowman!
Related: Best Free Winter Activities For Families In Baltimore
