It's the day your kids hope for and you may dread. A day where the kids are up early for school, then unexpectedly home all day, leaving you to entertain them or at least keep them from sitting in front of the TV all day. But don't worry, snow days can end up being fun for you and your kids simply by employing a few fun family bonding activities.



Make Use of the Snow

Might as well embrace the reason your kids are home for the day! Start out by shoveling the driveway together then coming inside for some warm hot cocoa. Give your coco an extra kick by making it with chocolate milk and adding chocolate chips to it as well.

After the driveway is clear, make the traditional snowman (or snowwoman, or snowchild, or snowdog). Add some extra fun to the snowman process by making a game out of trying to toss the hat onto his head when you're done. Start a foot or so back and slowly move backwards to see how far you can throw with accuracy.

Finally, have some fun by boiling real maple syrup for about 10 minuets. Then, carefully take the syrup outside, have your kids find a smooth, clear area in the snow, and pour the syrup on the snow. The syrup will harden up quickly making a sweet snack for you and your kids. Make it more fun by writing the kids names or making stars or happy faces with the syrup. Just make sure the syrup has completely cooled before picking it up.

Get Crafty, Winter Style

Take this time with your kids to make some easy winter crafts. Start out with the traditional snowflakes by folding sheets of paper and cutting out pieces to make fun designs. Many detailed patterns are available online, just search on: "paper snowflake patterns."

Save money by creating personalized cards together. Simply get construction paper, glitter glue and stickers and start creating unique cards to send out to family and friends. Also, create fun gifts by making pinecone ornaments with pinecones, glue and glitter. Attach a string in a loop and it is ready to hang on the tree.

Finally, start counting down the days till Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday you celebrate by making a paper chain with as many links as days are left till the holiday. Then, have your kids take down one link every day and watch the chain shrink as their anticipation grows.

Treat Your Kids to Easy Winter Treats

Try out some of these easy winter treats to make for yourself or share with others in the neighborhood:

*Marshmallow snowmen: put three jumbo marshmallows on a plate to create the snowman's body. Add chocolate chips for eyes and buttons and a butterscotch chip for the nose. Then, stick the whole thing in the microwave for about 7 seconds. Take out and attach thin pretzel sticks for arms. Then, enjoy this gooey treat!

*Edible Christmas trees: Put on ice cream cone upside down on a plate and cover it with green frosting. Stick on your favorite candies to create a Christmas tree that is good enough to eat. Finish it all out with a marshmallow star to top.

*Snowman soup: Put hot chocolate mix, two Hershey kisses, and one small candy cane in a mug. Add hot water and three marshmallow "snowballs" to finish off.

Forget TV, the Book is Always Better

End out the day by sharing a story together with your kids. Here are a few favorite to look into:

*Winter Lights by Anna Grossnickle Hines: Uses poems and quilts to look at the "winter lights" from the moon, aurora borealis, the lights of Saint Lucia, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and the Chinese New Year. A great book to show the diversity in holiday celebration.

*How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss: Use this classic novel to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas to your children.

*The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg: Feed the imagination with this magical story of a visit to Santa Claus' workshop.

Use these and other tips to turn your snow day into an unexpected family experience your kids will never forget. It may even leave you wishing for a snow day the next day!