Friday, November 4, 2011

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

It's November and right on cue we have snow here in Calgary. I moved to Calgary from England in High School and in my first few years of living in Calgary the first day of snow was always somewhat magical. There was something I found so comforting and serene watching big, fat snowflakes falling down, joining their snowflake friends to cover the ground with a pure white blanket of snow.

As the years went by, however, the novelty of the snow wore off. Instead of cozy, holiday-movie type thoughts running through my head, I'd have thoughts of skidding cars, nightmare traffic and perpetually freezing hands because I always seem to lose my mitts.

But now that Aiden is here the magic has come back. It is truly amazing seeing his eyes light up with wonder and curiosity as he watches the snow fall from the sky. And even more amazing watching him experience walking in the snow for the first time and holding it in his hands while saying "Cold" as he makes a little snowball. He reminds me of how cool snow really is.

In the spirit of the embracing winter and snow here's a list of fun things to do in the snow with your little person.

Snow Activities
1. Build magical snow creatures who come to life at night. Give the creatures names and characteristics then tell stories before bedtime about the snow creatures.
2. Build a snow maze and run around the maze together. Be sure to create dead ends and booby traps to make the maze as fun as possible.
3. Bury a treasure in the snow and then make a map to find the treasure. Give the map to Momor Dad when they get home and see if they can find the treasure.
4. Draw pictures in the snow using sticks as pencils.
5. Have a snow angel making contest. Award prizes for the craziest angel pose, the most angelic angel and the angel with the wildest wings etc. be sure to have an award ceremony complete with a podium and National Anthem singing.
6. Draw different animal tracks in the snow and then spend some time walking like each animal in the snow.
7. Find a hill and go tobogganing.
8. Paint in the snow using spray bottles filled with water and a bit of food colouring.
9. Make snow pictures by putting a piece of dark coloured card stock in the freezer and then taking it outside and catching snowflakes on the card. Examine the snowflakes with a magnifying glass to see if they are really all different.
10. Do some snow bowling: Set up several empty pop bottles, 500 ml works well, at one end of the yard. Make some big, solid snowballs and take turns rolling the balls at the bottles.

Next week I'll post recipes for Magic Mud, Finger Paint and Easy-To-Make play dough, but in the meantime have a fun, snow filled weekend and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Creatively yours,
Maya :)

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