How to survive a snow day in Delaware with your children
It's two of the most dreaded words for parents — snow day.
Children are home from school, snow is preventing people from driving around the area and, even if you could go out, there isn't much open.
Many Delaware schools are closed Tuesday after the area was hit with its first substantial snowfall since 2022. The snow day also comes on the heels of a three-day weekend and roughly two weeks since winter break ended.
For parents wondering what to do with their kids — and possibly a few of their friends — here are a few suggestions to get you through the day.
Snowball fights
While upward of 3 inches isn't enough to build an igloo or a snow fort, it's more than enough for a solid snowball fight. Plus, the snow should be wet and good for packing and making a perfect snowball to tag someone. One note of caution, be careful. A misplaced snowball to a person's head can cause some serious damage.
Do you want to build a snowman?
No, we're not telling you to turn "Frozen" on for your children. There should be enough snow to get a decent to good-sized snowman. Don't forget the charcoal eyes, carrot nose and a cool hat.
Just go out and play on a snow day
Make snow angels, pretend you're Adm. Robert Peary traveling to the Arctic, track animals with pawprints in the snow, paint the snow or find a small incline to go sledding — just not the dunes, that's illegal. You're limited only by your imagination.
What board game should we play?
Children can go outside only for so long before wind chills and the impact of wet snow make things too cold. Once inside, they need something to do before you hear those words, "I'm bored!" Go into the closet and pull out the board games. Avoid Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit like COVID-19; it will cause fights and run on forever. Chances are a good game of Sorry! or Rummikub or Q-bitz will work nicely.
Turn your home into a pillow fort
Again, there isn't enough snow for a snow fort, but you should have enough pillows and sheets in your house to construct a fort. A few snacks, some coloring sheets and crayons and you're all set for hours of fun.
Disney+, popcorn and hot chocolate
Once the kids have played outside, fought over the board games and turned your living room into a child's version of Fort Dix, it's time to calm things down. Make some hot chocolate and popcorn and start streaming movies, like "Frozen" or a cartoon series.
Just remember, the children should be back in school Wednesday. It's just one day and the memories you have, good or bad, will last a lifetime .
Delaware's drought is over: Northern Delaware sees close to 3 inches of snow, with coastal gets less than an inch
Who's closed in Delaware?: Snow day in Delaware. Closings, cancellations and delays begin to roll in for Tuesday
Tips for dealing with snow: Delaware's drought is over. How to deal with snow, cold temperatures
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How to survive a snow day with your children
