Unlike the picture above, snowstorms, hurricanes, etc, are not all fun and games. I am not an authority on safely prepping, but after evacuating for two hurricanes alone with two babies, riding out a couple of tornadoes in childhood and hurricanes in adulthood, experience has taught me a great deal. Interestingly, the prep for a hurricane and for a snowstorm are pretty similar. So first, the practical things:

The car: have it serviced if needed and if time, but make sure it is filled with gas. Close a sheet across the windshield into both front doors for easier snow/ice removal after the storm passes. If you have to be on the road when it is expected to snow, carry water, blankets, snacks, and activities for everyone, including pets, who will be riding with you. Keep that tank full.

The yard: Bring everything in that you can that may be affected by freezing temps, the weight of snow, or may become a hazard in gusty wind. Consider pre-salting or sanding walkways or driveways, but be aware of environmental impacts. Consider covering sensitive plants(or taking them inside) as well as covering faucets/taps.

Home: check generators and their fuel sources and know what they can power. Does it turn on automatically or will you need to be able to access it if your power is out? Do you know the safety rules for using it? Cook meals ahead so if you are unable to cook you can still eat. Do you have enough for 3-7 days? Fill containers with water or buy some for drinking. Fill your bath tub with water for flushing toilets. Tuck a rolled up towel or blanket up to outside doors to keep cold from entering under doors. Wash everything that is dirty. It could be a while before you get to do that again. What is your family plan should your home become damaged and you need to “bug out?” Charge everything-phones, tablets, headphones, flashlights, that new handheld video game.

Personal: Medication for everyone-do you have prescriptions? First aid? Children’s ibuprofens and allergy medicine? Feminine products? can you locate everyone’s outdoor clothing for playing in the snow? Does it all fit?

Entertaining your littles…

My little knights have gone through stages when they were terrified of even the word storm. Right now, everything is an adventure and they are anxiously awaiting Winter Storm Izzy. If your children are nervous, assure them that you are doing things now to keep them safe later. Consider giving them a job, like finding their snow boots or favorite blanket, helping to gather firewood if you have a wood burning heat source, etc. Read a good book, like Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco.

I’ll divide these activities into two categories-active and chill. You will need both depending on how long you are stuck inside.

Active

• While you have power, use YouTube to find endless kids workout videos. We love Sweatkidztv and Mr. Alonso.
• Use any device to have a dance party or freeze dance. Do you play an instrument? Even better!
• Pretend you are on a rollercoaster while sitting in a box or laundry hamper. You can involve YouTube and its endless supply of virtual rides if you desire. You can take an entire virtual trip to most major theme parks.
• Simon Says
• Using painter’s tape or paper, make a life-size board game, trail, or quest.
• Scavenger hunt
• Create an escape room. There are so many out there for every age group now.
• Use your “magic wand” (whatever wand-like thing you have) to turn your family members into various animals.
• Get out those Halloween costumes and make up a play or retell a favorite story, or have an indoor trick-or-treat.

More chill activities

• Have children go through their toys and find all the broken ones. Have a hospital or make a donation/trash pile/share with someone else pile. Don’t donate trash.
• Bake or cook with the kids if you still have the ability.
• Bust out those board games from the closet. Even little guys can play a modified version of some games. Just have playing cards? Go fish, Slap Jack, Spoons, Old Maid and many more can be played with a regular deck of playing cards.
• Color!
• Crafts-be sure to always have the following on hand: child safety scissors, crayons and/or markers, construction paper, copy paper, pipe cleaner, paper plates, stickers…maybe some washable paint. There are endless ideas on Pinterest and other sites for every age and ability or you can just let your child’s imagination run wild.
• Get to know each other. Chick-fil-A had table discussion cards for their kids meal prize for a while. It may be the only prizes we have kept. You can find loads of those online too.
• Toy/car wash. Get an old toothbrush, soap, dish or little storage container and let your kiddos bathe all the farm toys or cars.
• Sand/salt tray-pour sand or salt or flour or whatever you’ve got around into a large flat container. I like to use square lids or casserole dishes. Children can use fingers, raw spaghetti, qtips, or most anything to draw/write their shapes or letters in the tray.
• Bring in outdoor toys and convert them-swimming pools become ball pits, etc.

After the storm

When it is safe to go outside for a short time, bundle yourself and those babies up and go have some fun!

• Go sledding (you can use a piece of cardboard or an inner tube)
• Build a snowman…even a small one. Use whatever guy have around the house for the nose, eyes, hat, etc.
• Use koolaid or food coloring in a spray bottle or squirt gun to write colored messages in the snow.
• Get out the sandbox items and make a castle or just scoop and dump
• Check on your neighbors!
• Let the kids “help” shovel the walk ways and driveways with their shovels
• Make snow angels. Lay in the snow and basically do jumping jacks laying down.
• Take pictures of the winter wonderland and explore this part of creation.
• Make snow ice cream. Scoop up clean snow. Add cream or milk, a bit of sugar and vanilla and maybe some sprinkles. Lots of different recipes out there. Enjoy!