Written by Devin Miller, Relate Contributing Writer
Your local meteorologist predicted snowfall the night before, but you didn’t want to get your hopes up. After rolling out of bed, you tip toe over to your window, peer out of your blinds and are greeted by a scene nothing less than a true winter wonderland. Quickly, you turn on the morning news, and the deal is sealed: school is cancelled! Whether you’re the adventurous type or you would rather spend the day in your PJs, there are many ways to make the most out of your snow day:
Indoor activities:
1) Make snow ice cream
Try out well-known cook Paula Deen’s recipe for snow ice cream. It’s simple, easy and only takes about five minutes!
Ingredients:
8 cups of snow
1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Directions: Put snow into a large bowl. Pour the condensed milk over the snow and add vanilla extract. Mix to combine, and then serve immediately in bowls. Makes 8-10 servings.
2) Sketch a scene
Feeling artistic? Find a place next to a window, and grab a pencil and paper. Try drawing what you see outside of the window. When you’re finished, you have a great winter gift or a pretty picture to put up on your wall. Be sure to date your drawing!
3) Cuddle up to a movie
Whether you’re spending the day with your mom or your siblings, pick a movie that everyone can agree on. Make hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream and snuggle on the couch under your warmest blankets. If the room has a fireplace, have someone put a log on the fire for added coziness.
Outdoor Activities
1) Have a snowman building competition
Gather up your neighborhood friends or people that live on your dormitory floor, and head outside for a snowman-building competition. Get creative with the materials you use. Check out this website for inspiration! For a cool color effect, fill spray bottles with a mix of food coloring and water.
2) Go sledding
While this may seem like a no-brainer, there are many ways to take your sled riding enjoyment to the next level! Go to this website to search a database of the best sled riding hills in North America. Not only will you find out where the spots are located, but also you can see pictures and get in-depth information on the hill. If you can’t find a hill near you or are stuck on a college campus, get creative! Try using a round garbage can lid, or a top to a large container.
3) Organize a snowball fight
You would be surprised just how fun and intense these can get. Get a group of friends and divide into two teams. Start out by building the perfect fort to make as a base and a spot to keep all of your snowball ammunition. Did you know that on February 10, 2006, 3,749 students and alumni from Michigan Technical University set the world record for the largest snowball fight?
So, whether you decide to venture outdoors or keep warm inside, be sure to have a little well-deserved fun on your snow day!
