It is the best feeling when you wake up in the morning to hear that school is canceled and there is a blanket of snow on the ground!

Some might want to stay inside and drink hot chocolate, but there are those who want to rush into their winter gear, bolt outside, and have fun with the snow (myself included).

Here are eight fun ways you can enjoy the snow with your friends and family:

1. Snow angels.

Whenever there is snow on the ground, the urge to lie down and make a snow angel starts to emerge. But why stop there? Create a story with your snow angels. You can give your angel a face by using rocks, twigs, or even food coloring, and you can dress them up in old clothes lying around in your house.

2. Sledding.

All you need is a hill, a sled or tube, and tons and tons of snow. It is always fun to have a sledding race with family and friends to see who can go faster down the hill. Just remember your bragging rights. ;)

3. Snow maze.

Well, the driveway is clear, but what should you do with the excess snow? Build a snow maze, of course! Use your shovel to take the snow and build up walls to create a fun walkway of twists and turns. The kids will enjoy this as they try to figure a way out.

4. Snow hiking.

Just because there is snow doesn’t mean you should stop looking for adventure. Walk through a nearby park or woods and see how beautiful the scenery is with all of the glistening snow. Nature is such a powerful thing, so don’t miss out on seeing it for yourself.

5. Build a snowman.

This is a snow classic. With famous snowmen like Frosty and Olaf, kids want to make their very own snowman friend. After you stack the snowman’s body, let your imagination run wild as you let him come to life by using sticks, rocks, fruit, vegetables, and other materials! Don’t forget to name your snowman, too!

6. Paint the snow.

Add some colorful volume to the quiet, white snow. Use food coloring or dye to bring life to the snow. Paint a picture, write words down, make a story, color your snowman...the possibilities are endless!

7. Build a fort.

Once you have graduated from making snow angels and snowmen, just grab a shovel and start making a snow fort. Make sure it goes all around so that you can defend yourself, and remember to keep snow inside of your fort. Once you all have made a snow fort, you can engage in a….

8. Snowball fight.

This is the best way to end a day playing in the snow. Pack some snow together and throw your snowballs at the other players. Here’s a little tip my dad taught me: if the snow is too icy, lay on the ground for a few seconds to heat up the snow, and then take the warmer snow and pack it into your snowball. Remember to use your fort to defend yourself from the snowballs coming right at you.

The next time it snows, run outside and enjoy yourself for hours with these fun activities. And after a long, hard day of having fun, slide into your pajamas, wrap yourself in a blanket, watch holiday movies, and enjoy some hot chocolate. Have fun and remember to stay safe!