The best snow day gadgets to keep the kids busy

Even though it's been a light winter for many of us so far this season, we're waiting for the moment when it finally rears its snowy head. And when it does, that means snow days for kiddos. It can be stressful to keep them occupied when there's an unexpected day off from school, but we have all the snow day gadgets you need to help you through it.

A Kid With a Snowboard / Image Credit: Ostap Senyuk via Unsplash

When your kids have a surprise day off from school, it can be a lot to handle. It screws up all of your plans and your work mojo, and you’re left calling off or finding a babysitter. If you’re at home with them, and they can’t be outside playing, cabin fever sets in. And we all know what happens then. Whining. All the whining. But if you stock up on the right snow day gadgets, you won’t need to worry about it.

We have all the kids’ games and kids’ toys ideas you need to keep them busy and out of your hair. If you need some time on your own to get things done, there are things on our list to keep them occupied on their own. Or, if you want to spend some quality time together, these kids gadgets will come in handy for that too. If you want, you can even force them to learn something while they’re home. Bonus? They won’t even know they’re learning something.

Pick&Play Storytelling and Animation Coding Tool lets your child create stories

Most children love being creative and silly. The Pick&Play Storytelling and Animation Coding Tool allows them to do both of these things and learn at the same time. This educational coding game uses different types of cards that your child can arrange to create an animated story. Do they want a raccoon to eat a bench or sit on a mirror? Sure! The raccoon will respond by saying, “Yuck!” or sitting next to the mirror. These built-in safety features ensure that your child can’t make characters perform dangerous tasks. All you need other than the Pick&Play set is a mobile device, and your child is ready to create their own stories and animations just by placing the cards.

MODI Makers Kit DIY Animation Toys let you bring your brick toys to life

Your kids will feel like they have limitless possibilities with the MODI Makers Kit DIY Animation Toys. This educational toy works with LEGOs and other brick toys, allowing the players to bring them to life. You can craft a motorcycle, helicopter, pickup truck, or cabin with this brick toy animation set. The impressive function of this snow day gadget is to control the toy with Alexa. When you ask Alexa to move the truck forward, for example, Alexa will order and control it through the network block. Since the players can make their own code via the application, kids can learn the basics of coding improving their creativity and computational thinking.

Kano Harry Potter Coding Wand turns you into a wizard

Explore the magical world of wizardry with the Kano Harry Potter Coding Wand. Designed for those aged 6 and older, this kids coding kit has everything included to create a magic wand. Based on Harry Potter’s wand, the Kano Wand uses Bluetooth connectivity to take control. Building the wand and its code, kids can go through over 70 step-by-step challenges to improve their skills. With the wand, kids can play on tablets and computers including iOS, Android, Mac, and PC devices. This is the perfect idea to keep kids occupied.

Amazon All-New Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Children’s Tablet comes with educational content

While it’s not a toy, the Amazon All-New Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Children’s Tablet has plenty of games. In fact, this new kids’ tablet provides a year’s worth of access to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. This service offers more than 20,000 pieces of content from apps to games and books to educational shows. And because it has 32 gigabytes of internal storage, the kids’ Fire 10 has plenty of room to keep them all. Additionally, this snow day gadget has 12 hours of battery time—and this is while it’s in use.

Nintendo Switch Lite Handheld Gaming Console lets you play on the go

No matter where you want to level up, the Nintendo Switch Lite Handheld Gaming Console will let you. Designed specifically for handheld play, this device is great for on-the-go gaming. This handheld console has controllers built into both the left and right sides. You’ll make the most use of the space—and have all the functionality you need with these controls. With yellow, gray, and turquoise color options, you can choose a fun look for this handheld gaming console. And just because you choose a portable gaming device doesn’t mean you can’t play with others: it can connect with up to seven other Switch devices for multiplayer games.

Playdate Handheld Gaming System comes with 12 games

The Playdate Handheld Gaming System is a newly designed device that offers something other systems don’t. This handheld gaming device includes 12 video games designed specifically for it. You’ll receive a new one each week. Additionally, this handheld video game system has a hand crank on the right side. You can use this analog crank in some of the games, as it will help you move your character or perform other tasks. And with this handheld video game device, you get a 2.7″ screen that is black and white. It may be small, but it has 400 x 240 resolution, so you can see plenty clearly.

GAMEBOOK Interactive Book of Board Games provides hours of entertainment

Introducing GAMEBOOK, the interactive book of board games. Unlike any you’ve ever seen, this book features a collection of ancient abstract games. They include Surakarta, Mu Torere, Senet, Nine Men’s Morris, and more. If you’ve never heard of these games before, don’t worry. GAMEBOOK also comes with a delightful history of board games along with rules for each one. In addition, the design of the book itself is something to marvel. Complete with figures, sticks, and dice, GAMEBOOK has everything you need to start playing any of these games, and it’s the perfect video game for kids.

Sphero Specdrums App-Enabled Music Creation Rings lets you create music

Experience a new dimension to sound with the Sphero Specdrums App-Enabled Music Creation Rings. Along with teaching STEM, these wearables use motion and color sensors to bring you the audio of the world. The Specdrums deliver a variety of sounds based on different surfaces. When placed on a color, the system produces the accompanying audio. In a sense, the Specdrums turn colors into sounds. All you have to do is tap. Users can choose to use a single ring on its own or wear two for more layers of audio. Your child will love to create with this snow day gadget.

You know those snow days are coming, but the best thing you can do is to have a plan in place. There’s bound to be something on this list your child will enjoy, and something you’ll enjoy doing with them if you’re able to. Do you already have kids gadgets and games around the house specifically for this purpose? Or do you have other things you like to do?

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