Fun In Winter

On snowy days, do you find yourself cooped up inside with nothing to do? You won't anymore! There's so much to do in the winter - you just have to know where to look.
 
O1: Snow Igloo
This is great for a day with TONS of snow (like, a foot or so), because you need a lot to make this. Get an old packing box (or however big you want the cubes of your igloo to be) and pack it tightly with snow. Carefully but quickly flip the box over, and place it where you want to start a wall of your igloo. Keep placing boxes next to the first one, making the outline of a circle. Make sure you leave a space with no boxes for your "door." Keep building up, row by row, until you have a topless dome. I wouldn't recommend building a top - it's very easy for the top to cave in, and you don't want cold snow falling on you! Igloos are super fun for hanging out with friends and drinking hot chocolate or playing in the snow with a younger sibling.
 
O2: Hot Chocolate Contest
For this, you need a friend or two and a parent or sibling involved. Start by getting out ingredients for basic hot cocoa: cocoa powder, milk, sugar etc. Next, have the sibling or parent reveal a secret ingredient, Iron Chef style. It could be anything from peppermint to broccoli - get creative! Try to make the best cocoa and have the judge taste everyone's. This may sound babyish, but it's really fun and gets you in the winter mood.(:
 
O3: Snow-bathing
Have you ever wanted to make a video you can always look back and laugh at? Now's your chance! Put on a bathing suit, and have your friend hold the camera. Run outside (while screaming, of course :D) and jump, face first, into a big pile of snow. Try to stay in as long as you can without chickening. After you've had your turn, take the camera and switch roles with your friend. Whoever stays in the snow the longest gets a hot chocolate from the other person.(:
 
O4: Picnic on the beach
After a nice snow, take a friend down to the beach. Beforehand, pack a picnic lunch with all you wintery favorites - peppermint bark, hot cocoa in a thermos, soup and candy canes. After eating, pack up the lunch and take a walk by the water. It may be cold, but it'll be fun to see the beach in winter!
 
O5: Snow Graffiti
Before getting started, mix up some food coloring and water in a spray bottle (make it as dark as you want). Mix up a few different colors, get bundled up, and go outside with a friend. Now, start spraying! Spray your names, pictures or messages into the snow or on a snow-coated tree. Even better, make a snowman and make him a face out of bright, sprayed on colors!
 
O6: Snow Candy
A really fun idea is making candy in the snow. Ask your parents for a bowl of warm molasses. Bring the bowl outside, and using a wooden spoon, drizzle the molasses onto the snow in patters, shapes or letters. Wait for about fifteen minutes, and bring a plate outside. Collect your cooled candy, bring it inside, and enjoy! (For extra fun, you can add edible sparkles or sprinkles to the mix!)