We’re finally starting to see snow accumulation here in Maine that is typical for our winters. We had a big storm last week followed by a few inches of snow last night. Today, it is a beautiful blue sky day! As I wrapped up my last Zoom class of the day I encouraged all of my students to go outside and get some fresh air while soaking up the sunshine. Of course, that prompted a few “there’s nothing to do” groans. So I suggested making a snow fort. 

If you’re like me and you live in a snowy environment and are trying to encourage outdoor play, here are some activities to try. 

NOVA, as a part of their program on Denali, has directions for building a snow cave and directions for building an Igloo.

Boys’ Life offers a list of outdoor winter games as well as directions for building igloos and snow shelters.

Making your own snowshoes is an activity that can be done indoors with the final product enjoyed outdoors. Mother Earth News offers directions for making your own snowshoes. There are dozens of DIY snowshoe videos on YouTube. This one is a little bit too quick, but it does have a detailed materials list in the description. 

When I was about seven or eight I was given a copy of The American Boy’s Handy Book (available for free in Google Books). The book is filled with fun hands-on indoor and outdoor activities including an entire section devoted to snow forts and other snow-related activities. I took my tattered copy off the shelf this weekend and explained to my daughters that the book was written when people thought that girls couldn’t do the same things as boys, but now we know better. We then turned to the section about making ice-fishing traps. Now they can’t wait to go ice-fishing next weekend!