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Ask A Minnesota Expert: Keeping Your Kids Entertained On A Snow Day

Ever wonder how many video games and television shows your kids can watch before brain damage sets in? This is a frequent concern among parents in Minnesota when their children are stuck inside during an especially nasty snow day. The key to getting them away from the electronics lies in planning activities ahead of time. The childcare at the YMCA focuses on providing activities for kids that keep them active and busy while their parents workout or participate in a class. Taking some of the ideas and resources the YMCA uses to keep kids busy indoors, parents can come up with similar ways to entertain their own family on even the snowiest of days.

Susan Grage
Southdale YMCA Kids Stuff
7355 York Ave. S
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 835-2567
www.ymcatwincities.org

Susan Grage has been working in childcare for over 10 years, with the YMCA and within her own family as well. She understands the need to keep kids active and occupied during cold and snowy days and helps coordinate and facilitate activities for families at the YMCA. Sue shared with us some great ideas for snow days that range from careful planning to on-the-fly fun.

Build A Fort

Break out the blankets, chairs, and tables and create a giant fort in the living room or bedroom. Your children will be able to exercise their creativity and building skills while enjoying a comfortable space to relax and play. Gather up some flashlights and games for a fun activity to do inside the hideaway and let the kids enjoy their cozy spot. You may even let them bring a snack into the fort or serve a picnic lunch they can take inside.

Twister Board Game
(credit: Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)

Play Games And Have Challenges 

Put away the dull video games and find some more creative games that challenge the mind or just work on some motor skills. Search the internet for "minute to win it" challenges and pick a few for the kids to try. Some of the classic egg-on-a-spoon challenges may be a little messy for indoors but there are countless others that are perfect for even the smallest of spaces. Try to balance coins on a ruler while holding it in your mouth or stick a cotton ball on your nose with Vaseline. Give players a minute to complete challenging tasks and award prizes at the end.

Create A Theme

This one may or may not take a lot of planning. Even if the kids are off of school, you can still bring the education to them through a theme party or day. Some of the favorites over the years have been international parties and themes. Let the kids pick a country or culture to learn about and center the day around that theme. Make snacks from the chosen country, draw pictures, learn how to say a few words in another language, and let the kids pretend they are in another part of the world for the afternoon.

Related: Best Children's Bookstores In Minnesota

Cooking Pots
(credit: Jupiter Images)

Try A New Recipe

Kids love baking cookies or making a cake. Let them help you make some goodies from scratch and while they're baking, try something new. Studies show that kids are more likely to try new foods if they help in the preparation. Have the kids pick out a new salad recipe or make a homemade pizza with fresh toppings. Keep them busy in the kitchen and maybe bring the food out to the living room for a picnic after it's done.

Cleaning Party

You may think your kids would never go for a cleaning party, but there is a way to make it fun. Assign tasks and give prizes for things like the most organized sock drawer or the most stuff gotten rid of. You can even give each kid a clean white rag and see who can make it the dirtiest just by dusting around the house. Put on some good music and order a pizza to really get into the party mood.

Related: Best Bad Weather Activities For Kids In Minnesota

Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.

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