When the forecast turns white, many districts now switch to remote or “e-learning” days instead of canceling school outright. That leaves teachers with a tricky job: plan snow day activities for students that are meaningful, doable at home with little supervision, and fair to students who may have spotty internet or a crowded house.
This list gives you 20 ready-to-assign ideas for middle and high school, grouped by subject, plus a planning table and tips for keeping work realistic. Many need nothing more than paper, a pencil and a window. Save the list now so it is ready before the first storm, and see our classroom activities calendar for other winter dates.
In this guide9 sections
Ground rules for a good snow day assignment
- Keep it short. Aim for 30–45 minutes per class, not a full period of screen time.
- Offer a low-tech path. Every task should work on paper if Wi-Fi drops or devices are shared.
- Make instructions self-explanatory. Students cannot raise a hand, so include an example.
- Review, don’t introduce. Practice and apply what you have taught rather than starting brand-new content.
- Follow your district’s policy on attendance, deadlines and what counts as an e-learning day.
Science snow day activities
1. Snow-to-water ratio
Students fill a cup with snow, mark the level, let it melt and measure the water. They calculate the ratio and compare with classmates. Fresh fluffy snow and wet heavy snow give very different results, which makes for a great discussion.
2. Snowflake observation
Catch flakes on a dark piece of cloth or paper chilled outdoors and sketch their shapes. Students research why most snowflakes have six-fold symmetry and what temperature and humidity do to crystal shape.
3. Insulation challenge
Which keeps an ice cube frozen longest: foil, a sock, newspaper or plastic wrap? Students predict, test, time and explain using heat transfer vocabulary.
4. Weather data log
Record temperature, sky conditions and snowfall at set times during the day using a weather app or a thermometer. Graph the results and connect them to fronts and air masses.
5. Virtual lab
Assign a free simulation such as the States of Matter simulation lab, which ties nicely to melting and freezing.
Math snow day activities
6. Snowfall statistics
Students find their town’s average winter snowfall (from the National Weather Service or a local news source) and compare it with this storm. Older students calculate percent of the seasonal average.
7. Snowman geometry
Design a three-ball snowman and calculate the total volume of snow using V = (4/3)πr³. Extension: how many cups of snow is that?
8. Shoveling rate problem
Measure a driveway or path (or use given dimensions), estimate snow depth and calculate the volume to shovel. Then write a rate problem for a classmate.
9. Puzzle packet
A set of logic puzzles for teens builds reasoning without needing a device.
10. Mental math warm-up
Ten quick problems using strategies from our mental math tricks, with a self-check answer key.
ELA snow day activities
11. Five-senses snow description
Students look out a window for five minutes and write a paragraph using all five senses, then revise it to include a metaphor and a precise verb.
12. “Snowed in” short story
Write a 300–500 word story that takes place entirely in one snowed-in room. The constraint forces dialogue and character.
13. Independent reading log
Read for 30 minutes and answer three reflection questions. This is the simplest assignment for students without internet.
14. Persuasive letter
Should schools use e-learning days or traditional snow days? Students write a letter to the principal with a claim, two reasons and a counterargument.
Social studies snow day activities
15. Historic winter storms
Research a famous blizzard in U.S. history (for example, the Great Blizzard of 1888 or the 1978 Northeast blizzard) and create a one-page news report.
16. Map the storm
Using a weather service map, trace the storm’s path across states and list the regions affected.
17. Interview a family member
Ask an adult about the biggest snowstorm they remember and how school was handled. Compare then and now.
Any-subject activities
18. Choice board
Offer nine short tasks in a 3×3 grid and ask students to complete any three in a row. Choice boards work well when students have different home situations.
19. Review game prep
Each student writes five review questions with answers for an upcoming unit. Back in class, use them in one of our review games.
20. Brain break and reflection
Assign a short movement break (build a snowman, shovel for a neighbor, a stretching routine) followed by a written reflection on what they learned this week. Our brain break games list has more ideas.
Planning table
| Activity | Subject | Time | Tech needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow-to-water ratio | Science | 30 min | None |
| Insulation challenge | Science | 45 min | None |
| Snowman geometry | Math | 30 min | Calculator |
| Snowfall statistics | Math | 30 min | Internet |
| Five-senses description | ELA | 25 min | None |
| Persuasive letter | ELA | 40 min | None |
| Historic winter storms | Social studies | 45 min | Internet |
| Choice board | Any | 45 min | Optional |
Frequently asked questions
How much work should I assign on a snow day?
Most teachers aim for 30–45 minutes per class. Students may have several classes’ worth of work, younger siblings at home or limited device time, so less is usually more.
What if students don’t have internet at home?
Give a paper option for every task, or send home an “emergency snow day packet” in December that students keep in their binder until a storm hits.
Should snow day work be graded?
Follow district guidance. Many teachers count completion for attendance and give feedback rather than a full grade, then build on the work when class resumes.
Can I reuse these activities for other emergency closures?
Yes. Most of the math, ELA, social studies and choice board ideas work for any unplanned remote day; just swap the snow theme for a general one.
Be ready before the first storm
The best snow day activities for students are short, clear and possible with whatever is at home. Pick two or three ideas from this list, write the instructions now and post them where students can find them. When the alert comes at 5 a.m., you will already be done. For more cold-weather lessons, try our winter solstice activities.
