Cool Websites on Those "BRR Cold" Days for Kids!

Winter is on it's way to much of the country and with it comes BRRR cold temps and snow! Now don't get me wrong, sledding, building snow forts, snowmen and snow angels are great! But kids have to come inside sometime and when they do, usually the first thing out of their mouths is, "there's nothing to do!"

I don't like to park my kids in front of the TV all the time and we all know most kids aren't happy with only puzzles and board games. So to add a little variety to a cold day away from the classroom, I complied this list of sites on the net that are not only fun to be on but "educational" as well.

Shhh....if you don't tell the kids that last part, you've got it made! Between you and I,.....let them think the sites are just FUN and you'll have a few hours of peace and quiet and the kids will have fun while they play online as well. Good luck and stay warm!

This site is that of a meteorologist for Channel 19, out of Huntsville, Alabama. Not only are there puzzles and games onsite, but it does a fantastic job of teaching about the weather through articles and quizzes the kids can take too.

This site is filled with fun things to do under "activities" including...match the snowflake memory game, mixed up snowman jigsaw puzzle (2 different versions) and a really fun activity called "dress frosty" where kids get to choose how Frosty is going to be attired! A lot of fun and developed by an educator, this site is one that has loads to do with educational benefits galore!

Do you have a child who is fascinated with polar bears? Then check out the following sites to learn more about these creatures, better understand their environment and find coloring pages as well to create your own polar bear. Hint: If you want to make a polar bear more realistic with "fur", pull cotton balls or batting into thin pieces, print the coloring pages on heavy card stock and let your child glue the cotton onto the polar bear. At this time you can discuss WHY the polar bear has such a heavy coat and how it helps keep him warm where he lives.

How about penguins? Does your child plead to see "Happy Feet" just one more time? Did YOU find yourself wanting to know more about this fascinating creature? Then check some of these websites listed below for more information and tons of fun about penquins, their environments, habits and lifestyle as well.

First off we have a website that is full of information about penquins and is geared for kids from K-3, then we have a cute coloring page of a penquin. And for older kids who are accomplished readers, here's a readers Theatre script for "Tacky the Penquin"....great for younger grade school children! And for those who want a little more, here's a lesson plan on penguins for approximately 3^rd grade aged children about penquins. It includes a nice book list as well. Definitely worth checking out.

And finally here's a bunch of links to sites about snow and ice...definitely winter fun and learning all mixed up in one! I'd recommend searching through this list to see what it entails, there is a lot to learn and enjoy in the following links and they cover the gamut from coloring pages to science lessons on snow and ice.

You can make "virtual" snowflakes on this site! And here is a great site on 'snow crystals'! For those in grades 4-6 here is a website that has a lot of information on snow and ice. And of course we can't forget a site backed by scholastic, which discuss' snow and ice storms.

For those who want an arts and crafts project, make a snowflake using "borax". It's actually loads of fun for everyone no matter the age as long as their is parental guidance with the materials used.! And finally, if you want even MORE info about snow and ice...this page has lots more links to information!

I hope some of these sites have helped when it comes to keeping the kids busy on a cold winters day. They are chock full of information and fun and if my kids are an indication, they will fill many hours of "I don't have anything to do!" with "WOW Mom, this is fun!' Good luck and have fun!~

Winter is on it's way to much of the country and with it comes BRRR cold temps and snow! Now don't get me wrong, sledding, building snow forts, snowmen and snow angels are great! But kids have to come inside sometime and when they do, usually the first thing out of their mouths is, "there's nothing to do!"

I don't like to park my kids in front of the TV all the time and we all know most kids aren't happy with only puzzles and board games. So to add a little variety to a cold day away from the classroom, I complied this list of sites on the net that are not only fun to be on but "educational" as well. Shhh....if you don't tell the kids that last part, you've got it made! Between you and I,.....let them think the sites are just FUN and you'll have a few hours of peace and quiet and the kids will have fun while they play online as well. Good luck and stay warm!