Gratitude for snow: always something free for the kids to do

Sometimes living in snow country can be hard – there are lots of overcast days in winter, I feel like I'm always cold to some extent, and our bills to heat the house are high. However, I love living here because the kids always have something to do when it's snowy. You don’t need to plan an elaborate trip to a ski resort or splurge on pricey activities to make the most of it, either – a local park, an empty rice field, or even a quiet street can end up being somewhere for hours of fun.

My kids would spend all day outside when it's snowing if I let them, building snowmen, making snow angels, or sledding. Completely free, and things that encourage their creativity and limit their screen time. You don't even need to buy a sled, to be honest...I've seen kids from our neighborhood sledding down little hills on sturdy bits of cardboard. Of course, it's important to dress for the occasion (and that's where money can come in), so a good jacket, waterproof pants, gloves, and a warm hat are all useful. Second hand stores can be good options for those if you don't want to buy new.