How To Make A Snow Day Happen - Be Careful What You Wish For

So you want to make a snow day happen. Well to hear the weatherman tell it, we’re looking down the barrel of the mother of all storms. Or not. It may just be a dusting. One never can tell really, and if you’re the weatherman it’s best to always err on the side of mass hysteria. SNOWMAGEDDON. POLAR VORTEX. THE TWISTED BLIZZARD. Actually, I just came up with that last one and I think it’s pretty good. Please note you saw it here first. 

Anyhoo, with all of this being said, my children are willing the weather to be as bad as possible in the next couple of days. I mean, you can actually see their brains pulsing as they try and use Jedi mind tricks to stop the school buses!

To be fair, my girls actually have a pretty good track record of making snow days happen. To hear them tell it, they were successful 9 times out of 10 times last year using tried and true methods to make the snow fall. To hear me tell it, I’d say it was a crappy year for snowstorms. Who you believe is up to you. But this is about how to bring the snow, so let me share their practically no-fail ways with you.

How to Make a Snow Day Happen

Put a spoon under your pillow.

This small act is meant to signify that there will be so much flipping snow when you wake up in the morning that you will have to dig your way out.

Wear your pajamas inside out and backwards.

My youngest daughter loves doing this in July, so I can’t attest to it’s legitimacy but heck, it’s fun right?

Drop One Ice Cube in The Toilet for Every Inch of Snow you Want.

Alright look, I had to put a kibosh on this one because it scares me a little. The year we had 13 ft of snow in one winter, I could never find an ice cube in the freezer. You be the judge. Do this at your own peril.

Shake a Snow Globe Every Time You Walk Past One.

This just make sense, right? I mean, I do it. It’s just so darn pretty….contained in a snow globe. As my one daughter has observed on snow days, “Who’s shaking us, right now?” Deep thoughts for one so little.

Eat Ice Cream the Night Before.

Look, I can’t guarantee this method will make a snow day happen but it’s a lot of fun to try. I’m pretty sure this was invented by a kid with a sweet tooth. I’ll leave it up to you if you give it any credence or now.

Say Your Prayers.

Well d’uh. Say them hard kids, because for every little child praying with hands clasped and eyes all squinted up, there’s a parent across the hall praying equally as hard that the weatherman was just drinking again. If you’d like to hand your child the words though, here it is:

Now I lay me down to sleepI pray the Lord lays the snow down deepPlease give me a snow day before I wakeSo I can have big snowmen to make

You didn’t think I was going to forget about you now did you, dear parent? Because if all of the above actually works, here’s what you need to do it make sure you maintain your sanity.

How to Survive a Snow Day With Your Kids

Well you didn’t make a snow day happen, but since your kids now have superhuman powers to bring one about, parents need to be prepared. Here’s how to survive and thrive a snow day with your kids.

Send them outside

Now I say this hoping that you are of sound mind and understand that you don’t send them out in -40 conditions and that you’re aware of how to keep kids warm in the winter. I’ll assume that you know all this. If it’s reasonable outside, hand them some charcoal and carrots (or have a snowman kit on hand for emergencies) and send them in the backyard to make that snowman they prayed so hard for. Smile a little as you remind them this was there wish.

Snow Day Treats

Okay, you saw the forecast. Even skeptics should be prepared. Do you have the basics to deal with hungry kids who just built the world’s biggest snowman? If you’re smart, you stocked up the night before with everything you need for homemade hot chocolate and maybe even some homemade marshmallows if you’re feeling extra fancy. Don’t forget a hearty lunch and dinner. Best to plan on feeding a few extra mouths too because despite the fact that there is no way on earth your children’s friends could find their way to school, somebody’s parent has a bigass SUV that can get them to your house.

Blow the Dust Off the Board Games

Occasionally snow storms bring power outages and you may be forced to find a bored, er I mean, a board game. Try not to fall asleep in your Monopoly pieces as you struggle through a four hour game. I kid, I kid. Board games are super fun….when your kids friends are over to play them. Otherwise, elect your spouse to this job.

Hide the Cutlery and Become an Athiest

Okay, so you’ve made it through the day with your little darlings and it’s time for bed. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take any chances. Put their pajamas on yourself, hide the spoons and refuse all prayers for the night. After all, these kids are going to get power hungry if allowed to continue like this. Best to nip it in the bud now.

Updated November 26, 2025