Snow Day Survival: 3 Must-Haves for When School Closures Catch Us Off-Guard
My to-do list is the length of our monthly grocery bill.
Ironically, groceries are also still on the to-do list.
And today is another snow day.
Another school closure.
Another day at home that no one planned for.
I’m calling out all working moms and dads right now. If this winter feels worse than usual, you’re not imagining it. If snow days and closures catch you off guard, you’re not alone. This one hit us today, and suddenly our schedules don’t work the way we need them to.
Sure, I’ve got a ton of tricks up my sleeve for winter fun activities (see literally two posts ago). My mission is always to play with my kids more, spend that one-on-one time with them, and help them grow into the little learners they are. It’s takes precedence over many things in my life.
Today, that’s not going to work.
Because while that intention is there, it’s not always realistic. Especially when you’re a working parent and an extra day at home drops into your lap when you’re already juggling deadlines, meetings, and decisions that don’t magically disappear because school is closed. Personally, I’ve been drowning in daily tasks before I even opened my eyes. A 5am notification on my phone from the school board wasn’t what I needed to wake up to today. And this just so happens to be the third snow day this month.
As much as we want to crawl back into bed with our kiddos and snuggle up for a movie marathon on days like this, that’s not always possible. So before you flick on a Frozen (followed inevitably by Frozen 2) so you can get some silence while you hop on that Zoom call you’ve been prepping for, here are three lifesaving items you need to have on hand when the unexpected happens.
These are for those days when you need some hands-off kid care that isn’t traditional screen time so you can work in peace…or just enjoy a quiet coffee. No judgement here. You do you.
1. LeapFrog LeapMove
Whether it’s 7:30am and your kids are bouncing off the walls or they too want to hibernate under the blankets all day (and we need to encourage some activity) this one’s for you. It’s like a Nintendo Wii for little kids! Active learning and movement where your body is the controller and the adventures are endless. Games range from hide-and-seek style play to collecting, counting, spelling, and dancing. Educational and gets out those jumping beans, all while having fun.
Pro:
Hours of hands-free entertainment for moms and kiddos, and almost guaranteed naps post-play.
Mom tip:
Most games are played solo, so be selective about which ones you leave on if a little sister or brother wants to jump in.
Find it on Amazon: $79.98 and keep this one handy for the next time you just need a break.
2. Dancing Mat for Kids
Long gone are the days of hitting up the local movie theatre on a Friday night and challenging your friends to a seriously sweaty game of Dance Dance Revolution. This at-home version for little kids will have them just as engaged, with light-up sensors, songs, and multiple game modes.
They get to get all their moves out on the dance floor and hopefully give you the space you need. At least for a little while.
Pro:
Adjustable volume comes in clutch on days when we need to take calls but still keep our kids in sight. It’s also a great way to get movement in when outdoor play just isn’t an option.
Mom tip:
Just like those DDR days, play works best when each kiddo has their own pad. Avoid the pushing and the tears. Bite the bullet and buy one per child.
Amazon: $50
3. Rainy (or Snowy) Day Craft Bin
This is something I always have prepped. My kiddos know that when this bin comes out, they’re guaranteed to have fun. It doesn’t need to be complicated, just some mom-approved crafting items you’re confident your kids can play with safely if you need to step away for a few minutes. (You may want to rethink craft scissors and paint if you’re not in full supervisor mode.
The whole point of this bin is that it’s always ready to go. It takes a bit of forethought, but once it’s done, you’re set…just some light replenishing here and there.
What’s in my bin:
Construction paper
Stickers
Crayons
Paper plates
Pom-poms
Popsicle sticks
Glue sticks (white glue gets a little wild in our house)
A plastic disposable tablecloth (key for quick cleanup)
Pro:
Hours of play where imaginations can run wild. Perfect for households with multiple kids, just make sure everything is age-appropriate.
Mom tip:
I like to avoid items that can become hazards quickly (pipe cleaners) or are too messy to manage (kinetic sand, slime). We’re making this day easier on ourselves, not harder, mamas. Want to add extra excitement? Something as simple as tossing in paper towel rolls or storing everything in a colourful gift bag adds another layer of fun that only kids can truly appreciate.
Your Daily Dose of Real Talk
When life brings little surprises and the universe gives us more time with our kids, let’s be honest, it’s not always convenient.
As much as we want to cancel everything and spend the day with them, things still need to get done.
So we pivot.
We adapt.
We prepare.
We do the best we can.
Imagination thrives in boredom. Kids are funny little creatures…they’ll figure it out. But maybe, just maybe, we can influence their attention with a few moves of our own.
Checkmate.
