Pencil Crossbow

Imgur hosts a homemade crossbow using pencils, binder clips and rubber bands. 

Good for ages 12 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://imgur.com/4xJig
and here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/13doig/functioning_crossbow_made_of_pencils_and_rubber/

Printable Paper Streets

Picklebums shares a free print out of paper streets great for toy car and truck play.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the template here:
http://picklebums.com/2013/06/18/printable-roads/

So here's my life adds the roads to cardboard to make them more sturdy.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.soheresmylife.com/2013/11/printable-road-maps.html

Snow Painting

Really quite lucky has a colorful idea for kids to have some fun in the snow.  She mixes food coloring and water and fills up spray bottle for the kids to get artistic. Another good idea is to use this for spelling exercise and have the kids write the week's words out in the snow.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://reallyquitelucky.blogspot.com/2010/01/kid-activity-for-snow-days.html

Snow Sensory Box

In case you don't want to bring real snow indoors or there's no snow outside white shredded plastic bags make a great substitute.  Add wintery items such as plastic trees and snowmen, and animals to hop around for lots of imaginative play.

Playdoh Snowmen

Too cold to go outside to build snowmen or don't have any snow?  Build an indoor snowman with playdoh.  It's a lot easier, plus fun to find different items to make the face, arms and buttons. 

Here's the basic playdoh recipe:

2 cups cornstarch
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Add silver glitter to make it sparkle like freshly fallen snow.

Make Your Own Snow

Did you know that you can use the contents of a diaper to make fake snow?  It's crazy but it works.  Remove the insides, add to your favorite sensory bin and let the kids add water.  The material expands and makes a squishy snowy substance.

Bitz n giggles uses everything from sugar to salt to shaving cream to coffee filters.

Get the instructions here:
http://bitzngiggles.com/2014/11/101-guide-diy-snow.html

Pipe Cleaner Penguins

Kolcraft makes a simple penguin figure using orange, black and white pipe cleaners.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kolcraft.com/blog/penguin-craft/