Large swaths of the U.S. got a good bit of the white stuff this past weekend, and while snow can be super inconvenient, sometimes it offers incredible opportunities to slow down and enjoy some simple pleasures. Whether you choose to brave the cold outside or stay cozy indoors, here are some fun, easy reminders of how to make the most of a snowy day.
Build a Snowman (or Sculpture!)
You’ve got your classic snowman, of course, but you can also get creative with snow sculptures, snow animals, and snow creations that leave us laughing. If you build one this winter, snap a photo and post it with #ThinkBIGSnowmanChallenge before February 6 to help ThinkBIG, a nonprofit that supports families going through pediatric cancer. Hampton Consulting Corporation has pledged $10 per tagged snowman, up to $10,000, with a goal of 1,000 snowmen. So have fun and help this worthwhile organization reach their goal.
Make a Sweet Treat in the Snow 🍨
If you’ve got clean, freshly fallen snow, turn it into a delicious winter treat with one of these classic recipes. We know some people are going to cringe at the thought of eating snow, even if it was freshly caught in a bowl or sheet. So, for those less inclined to do so, consider making Ice Cream in the Snow recipe instead!
Snow Cream
Ingredients
- 1 (12-oz) can evaporated milk OR approx. 1 cup whole milk OR full-fat coconut milk
- 2 eggs
- Approx. ½ cup sugar (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp. salt
- Approx. 8 cups clean snow
- Toppings as desired
Materials
- Metal mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula for folding
Instructions
- Crack eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk in milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Softly fold in snow with a spatula without stirring too vigorously.
- Scoop into bowls, add toppings, and enjoy!
Ice Cream in the Snow
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar (or more to taste)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 eggs (optional)
- Toppings as desired
Materials
- Snow
- Salt
- Metal mixing bowl
- Whisk
Instructions
- Press your metal bowl into freshly fallen snow, remove it, and sprinkle salt over the indentation.
- Put your bowl back into the indentation and combine heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and optional eggs.
- Whisk until the mixture thickens to the desired consistency, then scoop, top, and enjoy.
Get Outside and Play
- Go sledding or tubing down a nearby hill. If no hill is available, make or find a compacted ice path to slide along.
- Have a snowball fight or play capture the flag with friends or family.
- Make angels and face imprints in the fresh powder.
- Take winter photos of the beautiful snowy landscape.
Get Creative with Snow
- Make snow mushrooms using a cup and bowl as molds. Simply pack a cup full of snow then turn upside down and release then repeat with the bowl but releasing on top of the cup shape you made. Packing your snow tightly is key to making this work. Consider using plastic to help the molds release easier.
- Snow paint using water bottles with a small hole poked in the lid and food coloring inside. Maybe paint that snowman or the mushrooms you just made, too!
- Paint a snow scene on your windows using sour milk or yogurt (wipes clean with a damp cloth!). Here’s some inspo to get you started:
Warm Up & Wind Down ☕
- Organize a winter picnic with warm snacks.
- Make boujie hot cocoa! Here are 15 recipes from The Pioneer Woman to get you started: 15 Boujie Hot Cocoa Recipes
- Collect snowflakes on black paper, examine them under a microscope, and marvel at their unique designs. An excellent book to read while you do this is Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Learn more about the man who taught us to appreciate snowflakes here.
- Don’t have a microscope? Consider cutting your own snowflakes instead. Here are 150 patterns you can use: Snowflake Templates
- Or simply cozy up with a warm blanket and a good book or movie. (Groundhog Day with Bill Murray is a classic.)
Snow doesn’t last forever, and neither do these little windows of time where the world slows down and invites us to play. At Cup O Code, we’re all about getting things done, but we also know life is too short to spend every moment working, hustling, or taking everything so seriously. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away from the screen, laugh a little, get your boots wet, or sip something warm while watching the snowfall. These simple, joyful moments are what recharge us and remind us why we do what we do in the first place. So build the snowman, make the snow cream, take the photo, or just enjoy the quiet. The emails can wait. THIS is the good stuff.
