Not Just for Kids: Snow Angels and Ice Cream - Holiday, Winter, Kids Recipes

It's that time of year again, cozy winter nights by the crackling fire and decadent hot cocoa to keep everyone warm, but most of all... it's the season for children frolicking in the snow until they are often chilled to the bone. If you're fortunate enough to live in an area that may see some snow this year, here's two of our family traditions we enjoy during the magical Christmas season, just remember to dress everyone warm. (Layers of clothing work best, weatherproof shoes or boots help, and gloves and caps are a must.)

I'm sure everyone knows how to make snow angels... if you've never made one you've probably at least seen them in the movies or on TV. It's really neat, you lay down in the snow on your back and move your arms up and down over your head to form the wings, then move your legs side to side to make the bottom part of the angel's robe. When you get up from the snow, your snow angel will be imprinted into the snow.

Our children are ages one to ten so all their angels are different sizes when they get up from the snow, it's just adorable. Can you picture it? Cute as could be! It is one of the most fun things to do with your kids in the wintertime, just be sure to get the camera out and take a picture of them while they are still lying in the snow. Guaranteed to be one of your best pictures of the season.

Another fun thing to do with your kids (or even for you big kids at home who still like to have fun in the cold snow), is to make snow ice cream. I learned how to make this from my husband's family about 20 years ago, and now our children are the first ones to run outside to collect the new falling snow with a large mixing bowl from the kitchen.

This usually works great, but it's a bit disappointing when the snow is too light to collect and we wake up in the morning to an empty bowl. Not to mention that our neighbors must think we're a little odd for putting a large bowl out in the middle of our front yard at night. ;o)

You see, we like to put the bowl outside to catch the new falling snow, as soon as the first flakes begin to fall. But if your snow comes unexpected, like in the middle of the night, that's okay too. Just make sure your snow is clean and white; not yellow. Actually, I don't believe I've ever seen yellow snow, but thought I'd pass the warning along just in case.

Okay, here's our recipe:

Snow Ice Cream

Large mixing bowl of fresh snow
1-2 c. Milk (any type is fine, but whole milk is best)
1-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract or other flavoring
1/2 - 1 c. Sugar

Take your large bowl of snow and stir the snow around a bit to fluff it up. Now quickly stir in just enough milk to make the right consistency of ice cream. Start with about 1/2 cup and keep going until you have enough to make the snow creamy. If you add too much milk and it becomes runny, just add some more snow. Then stir in a little vanilla and sugar, and Viola, you've got yourself some homemade snow ice cream! You can also add some other flavoring such as chocolate or strawberry syrup if desired, but I recommend having it plain at least the first time, it just tastes more snowy that way. The snow ice cream can be put in the freezer and saved for later, but it's best served immediately.

I hope you've enjoyed learning more about these two seasonal family traditions, I've enjoyed sharing them with you. Whether you have kids or not, the Christmas season is a beautiful time of year as well as a spiritual celebration for Christians all around the world. Enjoy every minute of it!

(If you don't live in a place cold enough for the white fluffy stuff to appear, just get in the car and drive until you find some. Bring your mixing bowl and ingredients with you, and don't forget to make a few snow angels along the way.)