Snow Day? S'No Problem!
by Phoebe Assenza
The best toys and gear for snowed-in grandchildren.
Despite current news of global warming, we’re still expecting — and looking forward to — snow in February. When there’s piles of it and grandchildren get a snow day, they’ll need some decent gear to make it extra memorable. We’ve rounded up our favorites for winter fun:
SnowChuck Snowball Launcher: Just as your melon baller is a necessary tool for family picnics, the SnowChuck Snowball Launcher is a crucial instrument for any decent snowball fight. The simple and ingenious design allows the slush-bound soldier to quickly scoop, shape, and throw a devastating snowball. The best part is that it keeps hands from getting cold, which can turn a little snow skirmish into an epic battle.
Price: $10
For ages: 5 and up
Available at: Snowspeeders.com
Arctic Bunker: Once the snow fight is resolved, your grandchildren will need a decent place to retreat. The Arctic Bunker by Aviva is an inflatable igloo they can use as home base for all their backyard snow jaunts, combative or not. Made of Cold Crack PVC, it can withstand even the coldest winter days, much more than we can say for the grandchildren’s hand-knit mittens.
Price: $60
For ages: 3 and older
Avaialable at: GoAviva.com
Classic Flyer: One of the cardinal rules of winter: Where there is snow, there must be sledding. If your grandchildren are without the seasonal staple, it’s time to give them a sturdy and precious sled for all their future dashing. Famed craftsmen Mountain Boy Sledworks make a timeless birchwood flyer for children ages 3 and older. The stainless-steel bolts and knees are super-reinforced to make the sled last a lifetime, and with two-inch customized engraving, the Classic Flyer is an instant winter heirloom.
Price: $140 plus $15 shipping in the continental U.S.
For ages: 3 and older
Available at: MountainBoySledworks.com
Wham-O SnowHog Deluxe: Edgier snow revelers will love Wham-O’s burly take on a classic sled. Designed to mimic the shape of a Harley, the Snow Hog Deluxe is a durable, lightweight sled with a steering and braking system on which your grandchild will look and feel like the king of the road. (And by “road,” we mean a modest, powdery slope.) Meant for ages 6 and older, we recommend adult supervision for younger riders, plus goggles and a helmet in case of any atypical spills.
Price: $50
For ages: 6 and older
Available at: BrandsOnSale.com
Portable Ice Rink: Whether you’re entertaining a raucous group of hockey players or a gliding ice princess, this portable rink will officially seal your status as the most fun grandparent ever. The 26-foot super-rink adjusts to any irregular terrain in your own backyard (or theirs) for even and smooth skating. It requires only water, assembly (video included), and three days of weather below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The Portable Ice Rink went gangbusters last season and will be discontinued as soon as it sells out, so think of it as a unique investment in future seasons of fun.
Price: $430
For ages: 4 and older
Limited quantity available at: Hammacher.com
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