Snowy Day Recipes to Make with Kids

Snow days are lots of fun for children, but too many can start to become monotonous. To break up the winter blahs and entertain your kids, try cooking with snow! Use fresh, clean snow from the outdoors to make special treats that kids will love. If you're nervous about the quality of snow as an ingredient, set out a large, clean bowl or other container to catch the fresh snow as it falls and use that in your creations.

Maple Candy
This candy is an old tradition, and a description can be found in Laura Ingalls Wilder's book, "Little House in the Big Woods." The process is simple and quick, resulting in a taffy-like treat for all ages.

You'll Need:
A wide, shallow container
Snow
Pure Maple Syrup

Directions:
1. Gather snow into your container and press it down so that it's compact.
2. Warm your maple syrup in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
3. Drizzle the hot syrup in ribbons over the snow.
4. The syrup will harden almost instantly to a taffy-like candy. Let the candy cool for a minute or two, then pick up the ribbons and eat.

Tip: Eat the candy right away; if it sits, it will start to melt back to a liquid with the snow.

Snow Cream
While it may seem counterintuitive for adults to eat ice cream in the freezing temps of winter, this is a treat that kids will love no matter what the weather. Of course you can make ice cream year-round, but making it with real snow is something novel that only happens a certain time of year.

You'll Need:
1 large bowl or bucket of snow (about 8 to 16 cups)
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
½ to 1 cup of regular or powdered sugar
1 to 2 cups milk

Directions:
1. Gather clean, fresh snow in a large bowl or other clean container.
2. Pour condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar over the snow and stir. Stir in enough milk to bring the snow cream to the desired consistency.
3. Spoon into bowls and eat.

Snow Cones
Shaved ice snow cones are a fun treat at a carnival, but kids will get so excited to make this snow recipe right from their own yard

You'll Need:
Fresh, clean snow
Small paper cups or cones
Flavored syrup or fruit juice

Directions:
1. Scoop snow into packed balls and place inside the paper cups or cones.
2. Drizzle with syrup or fruit juice and eat.

Tip: You can make your own snow cone syrup easily. A simple recipe can be found here.

Peppermint Snowballs
Everyone knows that after playing in the snow, the only treat that's truly suitable to warm you up is a mug of hot chocolate. This recipe takes ordinary hot chocolate to a new level by adding these special snowballs. While they're not made from real snow, they're a tasty end to a fun day of snow play that kids will love.

You'll Need:
Vanilla ice cream
Candy canes or peppermint pieces
Small scoop or melon-baller
Cookie sheet lined with wax paper

Directions:
1. Crush the candy canes into small bits and put them (or pre-crushed peppermint pieces) into a shallow bowl.
2. Scoop the vanilla ice cream into small balls and roll into the peppermint pieces.
3. Place the balls onto the lined cookie sheet without touching and put the sheet into the freezer for at least 10 minutes to let the balls set.
4. Place one or two "snowballs" into your hot chocolate and enjoy.

Tip: The leftover snowballs can be placed in a Tupperware-type container in the freezer. Use wax paper to line the container and separate the layers.

See also: Leftover Candy Cane Recipes and Crafts

Sources:
allrecipes.com
Cooks.com
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