Snow Day

Impromptu parties with family or neighbor kids don't have to be fancy if the appetizers are simple and the company is good.

• Stage a "best of" party and ask neighbors (kids and adults) to share stories about their favorite movies, museums, places to go, or travel adventures. Provide pen and paper so everyone can jot down a new "best of" list.
• Help kids plan a pajama party/movie night for their neighborhood pals or just the family. Let them pick the movie--an old movie favorite (Toy Story, TheWizard of Oz) or something just released. Make popcorn and set up a hot chocolate bar where everyone can add marshmallows, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream to mugs of cocoa.
• Work with kids to make a recipe that takes the whole day, particularly something like bread or pizza dough. Use that homemade bread for sandwiches or make pizza dough into calzones or individual pizzas.
• Or feed the hungry hordes with one or two easy appetizers made with pantry staples or ingredients available at any supermarket.

Stash thermoses of hot chocolate (kiddie and spiked adult versions) into a picnic hamper along with biscotti or brownies to serve right at the rink.

Snowshoes, sleds and cross-country skis let you frolic in the snow, but who has the energy to cook afterwards? Come home instead to these easy slow cooker favorites.

Not in the frostbelt? Create your own arctic blast with movies and cozy pursuits that let you pretend the world is your snow globe.

• Watch movies that splash snow across the screen: Snow Dogs, The Gold Rush, March of the Penguins, Groundhog Day, or any Warren Miller extreme winter sports DVD including Storm, Cold Fusion and Ride.
• Read snow-themed stories to the kids such as Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Snowy Day, The Snow Queen, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs or The Snow Geese: A Story of Home.
• Buy some fake snow (such as SnoWonder) to pile on the dining table so kids can create wintry scenes with tree branches, play figurines, and miniature houses.
• Turn up the air conditioner and make some hot cider to drink while baking and decorating cookies with a winter theme.