{"id":2512,"date":"2021-02-09T15:22:40","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T23:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/?p=2512"},"modified":"2021-02-10T16:12:41","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T00:12:41","slug":"7-fun-things-to-do-in-the-snow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/7-fun-things-to-do-in-the-snow\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Fun Things to Do in the Snow"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"2512\" class=\"elementor elementor-2512\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b78535c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b78535c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eca2da4\" data-id=\"eca2da4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eeb4016 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eeb4016\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Boy, we are in it now. The dark depths of winter. Where I live, in the Pacific Northwest, sunshine is scarce, and getting through the coldest, darkest days of the year can feel like a slog once the holidays are over. The one thing that helps our family make it to spring is thoroughly enjoying the thing we only get this time of year: SNOW!<\/p><p>If you are lucky enough to live in a place where there\u2019s snow right outside your door, count your blessings and get out in it every day. (In fact, what are you doing reading this blog? Go!) If you have to drive to the snow, get your gear organized (see my earlier<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/get-ready-family-snow-adventures\/\">\u201cget ready\u201d<\/a><\/strong> blog) and make it happen! Getting out in the snow is good for your mind and body, and your kids\u2019 too.<br \/>Once you\u2019re in the snow, then what? Maybe this is the year you\u2019ll finally teach your kids how to alpine or nordic ski. Or maybe you\u2019d rather just have some low-key, simple fun. Here are 7 fun and easy snow activities to do with your kids.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-86d6690 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"86d6690\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a8e1fd8\" data-id=\"a8e1fd8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a18ae5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4a18ae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"325\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowball-kid-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2516\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowball-kid-2.jpg 635w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowball-kid-2-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e2cc1c7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e2cc1c7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b16663\" data-id=\"8b16663\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70dd00b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70dd00b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Launch a Snowball Battle <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0fffdec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0fffdec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Who doesn\u2019t love a good old-fashioned snowball fight? Here are a couple of ways to expand on that old-school fun.<\/p><ul><li><em>Prep for a real battle royale.<\/em> Divide into teams and spend some time making a huge cache of snowballs. Kids love building an arsenal. You could even get a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dickssportinggoods.com\/p\/paricon-snowball-maker-18pcnusnwbllmkrxxssp\/18pcnusnwbllmkrxxssp?recid=product_PageElement_pdplanding_rr_1_36280_&amp;rrec=true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">snowball maker<\/a><\/strong> for a snowball assembly line. Then each team creates a battle plan. Maybe there\u2019s a goal and a winner, like capture the flag. Or maybe it\u2019s a crazy free-for-all. Either way, preparing and planning for the battle is more than half the fun.<\/li><li><em>Hit the target.<\/em> Maybe you have kids who aren\u2019t so into battles with icy projectiles. If so, try a game where you still get to throw snowballs, just not at each other. Set up a target in the snow that kids can aim for and see who can hit it the most. The target can be vertical (like a snowman), or on the ground. Paint colored rings on the snowy ground, like a giant dartboard, and see who can hit closest to the center. Keep track of points. Or don\u2019t.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7beaa8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7beaa8c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-561d255\" data-id=\"561d255\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81ddaf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"81ddaf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Create Snow Paintings<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d41227f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d41227f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Got a little Basquiat or Frida Kahlo in the house? Send them outside to paint a snowy masterpiece on your front lawn. Their medium is squirt bottles filled with colored water. Show them how to adjust the spray nozzle, then point them toward their snowy canvas.<\/p><p>You can dye water with a few drops of food coloring. Or, even better, have the kids mix up their own natural watercolors using stuff from the kitchen. Fruits, vegetables, and spices can make all the colors of the rainbow. Puree fruits and veggies in a blender, strain the liquid, then heat and reduce it until most of the water is gone. Add this concentrated color to the water, a few drops at a time, to get the hue you want. You can add spices directly to the water.<\/p><ul><li>Strawberries or raspberries make pink.<\/li><li>Tomatoes make red.<\/li><li>Kale or spinach make green.<\/li><li>Red cabbage makes blue.<\/li><li>Blueberries make purple.<\/li><li>Paprika makes orange.<\/li><li>Tumeric makes yellow.<\/li><li>Coffee grounds or cocoa powder makes brown.<\/li><li>Crushed charcoal makes black.<\/li><\/ul><p>Artist Nick Neddo wrote a great book, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Organic-Artist-Kids-Eco-Friendly-Supplies\/dp\/1631597671\/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&amp;keywords=organic+art+for+kids&amp;qid=1612553601&amp;sr=8-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Organic Artist for Kids<\/strong><\/a>, which explains how to make even more wild inks, along with lots of other cool nature-based art.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c0e2f8b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c0e2f8b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e3fa50\" data-id=\"6e3fa50\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28c7d1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"28c7d1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Follow the Human Tracks <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6381ef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6381ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In this snowy variation on Hide-and-Seek, everyone starts together in the same spot. The seeker closes their eyes and counts, as the hiders step carefully away to individual hiding spots. Once the counting is over, the seeker looks at the snow to find and follows each set of tracks leading to each hider. It is a fun, easy way to learn about seeing and following tracks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e366fab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e366fab\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-43e91ce\" data-id=\"43e91ce\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c12dd67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c12dd67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2515\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/caleb-woods-BfeNzyi79W0-unsplash-scaled-e1629211982327.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: Caleb Woods, Unsplash<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4db20ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4db20ea\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d19591\" data-id=\"9d19591\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59c869f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59c869f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Search for Animal Tracks<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aa3a5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2aa3a5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Speaking of tracks, the snow is an excellent place to find animal tracks, too. Hike into the woods (away from humans, if possible) and Pay Attention to undisturbed areas of snow. Do you notice any animal tracks there? See if each person can find a set of animal tracks. Can you figure out which animal was there? What was it doing? Was it walking or running? Animal tracks you are most likely to see are rabbit, squirrel, birds, deer, raccoon, and even coyote (if you\u2019re lucky). <br \/>Here are some tips for figuring out who made the tracks:<\/p><ul><li>Symmetrical track, 4 toes, claw marks, small heel pad = dog, fox, coyote<\/li><li>Asymmetrical track, 4 toes, no claw marks, larger heel pad = housecat, lynx, bobcat<\/li><li>Heart-shaped track, 2 toes = deer or elk<\/li><li>Small track, 5 toes, looks like tiny human handprint = raccoon or squirrel<\/li><li>Giant track, 5 toes, huge heel pad = definitely Bigfoot (at Trackers we call him Old Harry)<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-961857f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"961857f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-87774dc\" data-id=\"87774dc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00edda2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"00edda2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Blow Ice Bubbles<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2a0a47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2a0a47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Have any old bottles of bubbles lying around the house? Did you know you can create ice bubbles when it\u2019s cold outside? Set the bottle outside until it gets really cold. Then, instead of blowing the wand with your hot breath, wave it around in the cold air. As the bubbles come out, they freeze. If you catch one, it will freeze over in your hand. Whoa! Or, if it\u2019s below freezing, the bubbles freeze midair, then drop to the ground and roll around as frozen orbs. SO much cooler than boring old bubbles, right?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c684432 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c684432\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c5514f\" data-id=\"6c5514f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ab0495 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7ab0495\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2519\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-1024x768.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/IMG_5349-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2fd1ccb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2fd1ccb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5655fd0\" data-id=\"5655fd0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb04308 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb04308\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Build a Snow Shelter<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b3d94c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b3d94c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On one glorious school field trip, I went to the mountain with my daughter and her 3rd-grade class and learned to build snow shelters. It was one of the most fun things I\u2019ve ever done with kids in the snow. If you have enough snow, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t build one at home. If you have no snow, head to the mountains. Here\u2019s what you need:<\/p><ul><li>Snow. You\u2019ll need a full front yard\u2019s worth, about a foot deep. Dry fluffy snow doesn\u2019t work well. You need more challenging, stickier snow.<\/li><li>Sand pail or brick mold<\/li><li>Small shovels or garden trowels<\/li><li>Hose\/water (optional)<\/li><\/ul><p>Here\u2019s how you build it:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Draw a circle.<\/strong> One person stands in the middle, and another person takes 2-3 steps out from the middle and walks in a circle around the center. The smaller your circle, the easier it will be to build the dome and the more stable it will be. Just make sure it\u2019s big enough for a couple of kids or adults to sit inside.<\/li><li><strong>Mold snow blocks.<\/strong> Sand pails will do the trick, but square or rectangle shapes are even better. Harder, stickier snow is the best (the kind you use to make snowballs). Use the snow inside your circle first, then move to the snow outside to make the rest.<\/li><li><strong>Lay snow blocks along the circle.<\/strong> Then stack on the second layer and so on. Scrape a slight incline into the top of each brick so that the next layer tilts inward a bit.<\/li><li><strong>Pack snow between gaps as you go.<\/strong> This will make it stronger and less likely to collapse.<\/li><li><strong>As you move higher, use smaller blocks.<\/strong> Don\u2019t make your circle too tall before you start angling in to close up the ceiling. You don\u2019t need to be able to stand up inside. Kids can crawl in and sit. It should be taller than your height when you sit down.<\/li><li><strong>Cut air vents in the roof and walls.<\/strong> So people inside can breathe.<\/li><li><strong>Make a door.<\/strong> Once you finish your dome, cut a hole in one wall to make a doorway. Cut the block of snow you removed in half and lean the two sides together outside your door to make a tunnel around your entrance. This helps keep your entry protected and your shelter warm.<\/li><li><strong>Strengthen it.<\/strong> Once you\u2019ve built your snow shelter, hose it down (in spray mode, so you don\u2019t melt holes in it). Ice is stronger than snow, so freezing your shelter&#8217;s top layer will make it stronger and last longer.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37ce7f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37ce7f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Snow Shelter Safety Tip:<\/strong> Snow shelters can collapse. When your kids are building one and playing in it, keep an eye on them. Do NOT build a snow shelter by digging into a snowbank. While this method is easier, dug-outs can collapse more easily, and, depending on how much snow is above the opening, a collapse can suffocate you. If a snow block shelter collapses, the falling snow blocks might hurt if they land on you, but there shouldn\u2019t be enough blocks in the roof and upper walls to smother anyone. Blocks of snow are easier to push out of. Another reason to keep your snow shelter small\u2014less snow to possibly fall on your head.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-70fe203 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"70fe203\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11be812\" data-id=\"11be812\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20a2289 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"20a2289\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"325\" src=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowshoe-camp-4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2520\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowshoe-camp-4.jpg 635w, http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/snowshoe-camp-4-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f82a1ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f82a1ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ca0b2d7\" data-id=\"ca0b2d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b0ca5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b0ca5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Strap on Some Snowshoes<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-409632e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"409632e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your favorite hiking trails will look totally different covered in snow. And with less foliage in the understory and trees, animals can be easier to see. Snowshoeing is simple enough for kids to master quickly and an awesome way for your family to explore together in the winter. Pack a picnic and a thermos of hot chocolate and make a day of it! You can rent snowshoes at most outdoor gear shops, or buy them cheaply at used sports stores or Goodwill.<\/p><p>I hope these ideas inspire you to get outside and have some frosty family fun. Spring will be here before you know it and your chance to blow frozen bubbles will be gone until next year! <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you live in a place where there\u2019s snow right outside your door, lucky you! Get out in it every day. If you have to drive to the snow, get your gear organized and make it happen! Getting out in the snow is good for your mind and body, and your kids\u2019 too. Once you\u2019re in the snow, then what? If you\u2019re looking for some low-key, simple fun, here are 7 fun and easy snow activities to do with your kids.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2513,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2562,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512\/revisions\/2562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2513"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackersearth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}