My girls in 2018 🛷 It feels like just yesterday they were small enough to squeeze onto one sled. These snow-day moments go fast.

We’re in the middle of a big snowstorm, the kind that slows everything down and makes the world feel quieter. These days, my house looks a little different — my daughters are teenagers now. Snow days don’t mean the same kind of all-day play they once did, and yes… screens are absolutely part of the mix.

But when the snow started falling, I couldn’t help but think back to when they were little — and the routines we created then that helped limit screen time, build connection, and support skills they still rely on today.

As a parent and executive function coach, I now see how those small, intentional snow-day choices mattered more than I ever realized.

⏰ Then vs. Now: Why Small Time Frames Still Matter

When my girls were younger, long snow days indoors could quickly turn into screen marathons if we weren’t intentional. What helped most wasn’t banning screens — it was managing them in small, predictable chunks.

Back then, we relied on:

⏳ Short time blocks (“30 minutes of play, then a short screen break”)
⏰ Timers and visual schedules
🎯 Clear transitions so there were fewer meltdowns and more buy-in

Those strategies supported executive function, emotional regulation, and time management — even if we didn’t call it that at the time. Looking back, those skills laid a foundation that my daughters still use now when managing homework, practices, and downtime.

🍴 Snow Day Traditions from the Little Years

Obviously, first you build the snowman! But then what?

Some of my favorite snow-day memories come from the years when my kids were small — when mittens were always wet and attention spans were short. These activities weren’t just fun; they gave us structure, connection, and purpose during long winter days.

⭐ 1. Salt Dough: Creativity Without a Screen

This was a go-to activity when my kids were little. In fact, I remember making salt dough crafts with my grandmother when I was a kid! Mixing, rolling, shaping — all of it was sensory, calming, and engaging.

Recipe: ➤ https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/best-salt-dough-recipe/

We’d talk through steps, guess how long things would take, and problem-solve when creations cracked or collapsed — all sneaky ways to build planning, flexibility, and emotional regulation. You would be amazed at how many creative ideas you can make from a handprint! Once the dough is dry, you can paint anything you want! Maybe a little snowman family? When the dough dries, cover it with Mod Podge for a keepsake that will last forever!

Avery’s salt-dough snowman family from 2016!

🍨 2. Snow Cream: A Childhood Snow Day Classic

If the snow was fresh, snow cream was non-negotiable. It was simple, joyful, and felt magical every time.

Recipe: ➤ https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/how-to-make-snow-ice-cream-recipe/

Even something this small helped practice time awareness, waiting, and following steps — executive function skills wrapped in sprinkles and laughter.

🧠 Why These Moments Still Matter (Even with Teens)

Now that I’m parenting teenagers, I see it clearly:
Those early snow days weren’t just about filling time — they were about building skills.

✔ Executive function through planning and transitions
✔ Emotional regulation through predictable routines
✔ Time management through short, doable chunks
✔ Connection over convenience

The activities have changed, but the principles haven’t.

📖 Coming Soon: A Book for Real Life Emotional Regulation

Whether it’s a long snow day, a tough transition, or the daily screen-time negotiations, emotional regulation and executive function show up everywhere in family life.

My upcoming book, You Are Brave, Amy G., is designed to support those exact moments — for kids who are growing and the adults guiding them — and it’s coming out soon.

It’s filled with practical strategies, real-life examples, and tools you can actually use on days like these — snow day or not.

More details coming soon right here.

💬 Let’s Talk Snow Days

If you have teenagers now, I see you.
If you’re in the little-kid years, soak it in — the mittens, the mess, the magic.

What snow day traditions do you remember most? Or which ones are you creating now?

❄️ Snow Days & Screen Time: Lessons I’m Carrying Into the Teen Years