The notification came through—it’s a snow day!
Whether it’s the kids staying home from school or the office making it a remote work day, snow days can be fun. But they can also lead to a bit of boredom and cabin fever, especially if the fam has already been spending a lot of time together. Take a look at some of our fun (and totally doable) ideas for a realistic snow day at home—whether you’ve got the whole day to fill or just a couple hours here and there.
REVISIT SOME FAMILY MEMORIES
Bust out the photo albums and home videos to reminisce about the good times long past. It’s also a great time for the family to ask questions and learn things about one another they perhaps didn’t know. Consider some of these cool conversation prompts:
Questions kids can ask parents:
- What's the first major news story you remember from your childhood?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- Where did you and your friends hang out and do for fun?
- What was your favorite artist or album in high school?
Questions parents can ask kids:
- What's one thing you wish adults understood about being a kid?
- What's something you want to learn to do?
- What are you most grateful for today?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you want to go and why?
GET COOKING
Work together as a family to cook or bake something everyone can enjoy—and be proud to have made! Whether it’s a sweet treat, something hearty, or a cherished family recipe, assigning everyone a station and throwing on some good tunes while you chop and mix is sure to be a fun endeavor (albeit maybe a little messy). More of a solo cook? Do your own thing while still being creative by having a cookie decorating contest or a competition for who can come up with the most creative dish in a certain amount of time.
THEMED MOVIE MARATHON
Whether you choose the theme based on the weather, a specific actor, a special interest, or classic franchise, there’s nothing like a good snow day movie marathon. You can even task the household with raiding their closets to dress up like their favorite character from the movies you’ll be watching and have themed drinks and snacks. Make your viewing experience even more cozy by building a blanket fort. Some cold-weather classics and movies with winter settings include: Cool Runnings, Frozen, Grumpy Old Men, Ice Princess, Groundhog Day, The Shining, and more.
DECLUTTER
Tackle one small space (keyword small, like a pantry, junk drawer, or a bookshelf) and make it feel fresh again. This doesn’t have to be an exhausting undertaking—just something to help you not only feel refreshed but also accomplished in doing something that you’ve likely been putting off.
OUTDOOR FUN
It’s not a snow day without some sort of snowy outdoor activity, paired with some hot cocoa afterwards, of course. So bundle up and venture out into the yard to build a snowman or grab your sleds or tubes and visit one of these popular local spots for all the hills and snow-covered thrills:
- Belknap Park
- Manhattan Park
- Richmond Park
- Union High School
- Johnson Park
- Pinery Park
AT-HOME SPA
Take relaxation to a new level by having a snow day pamper session right at home. First, grab your supplies, which could include a cozy robe, fluffy socks, a calming playlist, a warm cup of herbal tea, some under-eye gels, moisturizing face mask, exfoliating body scrub, and a good book. Make your way through your own home spa by dimming the lights and enjoying a nice mani-pedi, a hair mask, a massage and dry brush session—all topped off with a warm soak in the tub and an “everything” shower. Slip into some clean sheets for the evening and you’ll never sleep better.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Winter ‘25/’26 issue of West Michigan Woman.
