Snow Fort

First, shovel snow into one big pile and pack it down by stepping, jumping or even rolling over it (this will be fun). If it is very cold and the snow does not pack well, leave the pile for a day to harden.

Once a solid, round pile has been made a little wider than it is tall, dig a doorway at ground level. Continue tunneling through the entryway into the pile, shoveling the snow onto the top of the cave and packing it down. When the space is big enough for your child to crawl inside, use a smaller shovel to dig snow out of the center, all the way down to the ground. Stop digging when the cave feels big enough; the walls must be at least a foot thick.

Set up camp by covering the floor with a straw mat or an old blanket. Kids can poke airholes in the ceiling or dig out windows from the walls. Outside, they might build snow furniture and set a bandanna flag on the cave top. If properly made, the structure will be sturdy, but it's a good idea to keep an eye on your cave kids.