Tot Tip Tuesday: Mini Snowmen

Do you want to build a snowman? Yes. (You just sang that in your head didn't you. Us too. ) Do you want to roll giant balls of heavy wet snow in order for it to happen? Didn't think so. Little hands should equal little snowmen we decided so we gave it a try and the kids loved it. While you may will still have to help out, it is quite a bit easier to make different sized snowballs and stack them than the alternative. How to: Read on.

We cut out felt circles, rolled them, and hot glued them to form a hat. Add a pom pom or cotton ball on top if you'd like. The scarf is just a long piece of felt. We found small twigs and a red berry from a tree for a nose. Next time we'll search for eyes and buttons. 

Make them as sturdy as you can because they may get carted around the yard like the stuff animal they are not. :)

If you have boys they'll most likely ask not if, but when, they can "wreck the snowmen." So, until another day, goodbye little red hatted snowman friend. 

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PLAY EVERYDAY: Snow Spraying with the Kids

 It's cold. It's colorless. It's January.  Its hard to get excited about going outside with the kids when it takes a year and a day to get everyone into warm clothes. But, the effort is well worth it once you are out and enjoying each others company.

Whether you are looking for new ideas to PLAY, or just want a break from pulling kids up the sledding hill try snowpainting/spraying for a different snow day activity you and the kids will enjoy.

We found cheap spray bottles at IKEA for .49 cents each. But, spray bottles can be found nearly everywhere. Simply, fill them up with water and a few drops of food coloring, shake, and you are good to go. Our one rule was "no spraying people" as that gets messy and cold really quick. Experiment with color. If the water is not dark enough the kids can't see it in the snow.

PLAY IDEAS

• Change the stream on the bottle to spray or just have a steady squirt to create drawings or patterns in the snow.

• Decorate your latest snowman or creation with different colors. They will end up blending and creating a fun tie died effect.

• For little ones practice drawing/spraying letters and/or numbers in the snow. Older kids can write their names or play a game of tic tac toe.

• Create a maze, spiderweb, or other obstacle type course that the kids and you have to go through superhero style. Jump into square shapes. Run around circle shapes. Etc.

• Make a scavenger hunt. Spray shapes and letters in the snow and then have the kids come out and see how many they can find. By spraying with their color they can show they have found it.

• Let the kids be kids and you be one too! Sometimes its fun to just walk around and spray. My bottle was gone before theirs as I tried to make different designs in the snow and help show them what and how they could spray. 

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