We woke up to an inch of snow on the ground. Now that might not seem like much and it really isn’t. But, we’ve been holding our breath for a big snow since Thanksgiving.
It’s the last day of January and my kids are convinced that we aren’t going to get that “just one big snow” they’ve been hoping for. So we are eeking out every iota of fun we can get from this one inch of snow as we can today.
First, they spent an hour or so sledding down our hill until they were really just sledding on mud and I chased them off. Then they switched to playing hide and seek in the trees so that snow was dripping on them. Oh! And they also made a few snowballs.
Whether you’ve already had the best snow of the year or you are still waiting for the perfect snow day – it’s time to get ready for the next big one! Right now, while it is still on your mind, is the perfect time to grab a bunch of the best snow toys for kids so you will have them on hand. Whenever snow comes.
In case you are confused about what makes a snow toy the best snow toy for kids, I’ll tell you my criteria.
Kids snow toys should be a) sturdy b) have a smart design and c) serve a purpose in the snow. You might think that last one does not make sense until you walk through the kids snow toys aisle at your local store and wonder, “What in the world is that good for?”
Obviously, “that” is not one of the best snow toys for kids. But the snow toys I’m putting on this list are the best. May I recommend that you do not wait until after snow is predicted in the forecast to start looking for kids snow toys? They disappear fast!
A kids snow shovel is definitely one of the best snow toys for kids. We have three of these and my boys (twin seven-year-olds) use these all the time and share with the neighborhood friends.
First they use it to collect all the snow they can from the cul-de-sac so they can have a bigger pile of clean snow. I’m sure the snow plow truck drivers appreciate all the hard work they do!
Anyway, then they use it to build gigantic snow forts or (today) they used it to shovel snow off of the front yard and dump it on our sledding hill since we didn’t have quite enough snow for a good sled run. And sometimes they even use their kids snow shovels to help Daddy clean the driveway off.
If you can find a place to sled, a good sled is definitely one of the best snow toys for kids. The trick is in finding a good one. I tried to get a really thick, sturdy saucer sled last year but it turned out to be heavy and poorly-shaped to fly down the hill. Even a very steep hill that every other sled was working on.
So instead, this year I went with cheap. These do crack easy (you can see a crack in this one) but they also last in spite of cracks. And they are cheap enough you can afford to replace them when they break. I just bought my three-pack at the local drug store, but any cheap three pack of sleds will do.
Building a snow fort is the first thing my kids think of when we get a nice big snow, and memories of the various forts they have built over the years are the snow memories they talk about. Making a snow fort is fun and also good exercise! (Don’t tell the boys I said that.) Anyway, using a snow fort brick maker like this one will make it just a tiny bit easier to build a fabulous snow fort.
We watched some friends from the neighborhood zip down the hill on these Luge sleds and it looked like a lot of fun. The mom said she learned about these sleds during their time living in Europe. Having a variety of sled styles available keeps everyone engaged and interested in sledding longer. And that means walking uphill. Over and over. Which is awesome for our kids! And fun too 🙂
If your kids like balancing, they will enjoy the challenge and accomplishment of using these fun ski skooters. It takes a lot of practice, but the end result is loads of fun!
And oh my goodness, this little guy is adorable. Best Snow Toy Ever! Perfect to play with when your LEGO® fan comes in from the snow to warm up.
Like I said earlier, don’t wait until you hear a big snow is coming to hop online and find the kids snow toys that you need to order. Both big box retail stores and online retailers run out of sleds and snow boots fast once the snow is on its way. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way and picked up my sleds back in November when they first appeared on the shelves. It’s no fun being the kids who have to borrow sleds!
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