What We’re Stocking Up on Before the Holiday Snowstorm: Simple, Cozy, and Kid-Friendly Ideas
With a holiday weekend snowstorm rolling in, we’re taking today to get our home ready—both for comfort and for fun. As a farming family, we get snowed in and have to change plans a lot which can be so disappointing.
I like to keep things simple, homemade, and practical. Here’s what we’re actually grabbing (plus a few extra ideas!) to make the most of a snowy stretch at home with kids.
1. Ingredients for Easy, Hearty Chili
When it’s freezing outside, nothing beats a big pot of chili simmering on the stove. It’s filling, affordable, and makes enough for multiple meals.
We’re stocking up on:
Garden Ridge ground beef or ground pork
Beans
Large jug of salsa (time-saver!)
Canned diced tomatoes
Any veggies on hand—onions, peppers, sweet potatoes
All the chili fixings: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, cornbread mix, etc.
Tip: Double the batch and freeze half for an easy future meal or if there’s not enough chili for a 2nd meal, try using it on hotdogs for chili dogs!
2. Charcuterie Board + Snack Plate Essentials
Snow days require good snacks—especially ones the kids can help assemble. We keep it simple with a mix of fresh, local, and homemade options. This would be a great time to have one of our Holiday Gift Boxes on hand!
What I’m grabbing:
Fresh fruit & veggies
A variety of cheeses
Setting out our summer sausage, snack sticks and salami
Strawberry jam from our farm
Stealing some Rhythm Bakery crackers from my gift box stash.
Nuts and a few little treats
This makes lunches effortless and keeps the “I’m hungry and bored”s at bay. Plus it feels festive without extra work.
3. Make Hot Chocolate Extra Magical
Encouraging kids to get outside is easier when there’s a warm treat waiting for them after.
Here’s what I’m picking up:
Extra milk
Chocolate chips
Whipped cream
Homemade marshmallows ingredients (I will send this recipe out too because you HAVE to try it).
New mugs
Peppermint sticks
Sprinkles
Set everything out as a “hot cocoa station” and watch their eyes light up.
Apple cider would be another fun idea with cinnamon sticks!
4. Gear + Tools to Get Kids Playing Outside
Fresh snow is basically an automatic playground. We’re refreshing and gathering up a few things so the kids have what they need to stay warm and busy.
On our check list:
Snow sleds- do we have enough that are in useable shape?
Buckets & kid-sized shovels
Snow fort/snow brick tools
Snow pants, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and boots that actually fit! We haven’t had to get most of these out since last year.
A little prep goes a long way toward making sure there are minimal meltdowns while getting dressed and ensuring outside time last more than 10 minutes.
5. Indoor Activities (We Don’t have a TV)
Since we don’t have a television, we rely on creative play, reading, and slow activities when the weather turns.
We’re rotating or adding:
Puzzles
Board games
Fresh books
Craft supplies
Coloring tools
Homemade playdough or slime ingredients
Baking projects (the kids’ favorite!)
I’m also picking up a few ingredients for holiday baking—another great way to keep little hands busy.
6. The Essentials
Of course, we’ll also grab the basics:
Milk, eggs, bread
Fresh produce
Toilet paper
Batteries
Plus things we need for the farm- the animals DO NOT take a snow day.
A little planning makes the weekend feel calm and fun instead of chaotic and disappointing our Holiday plans aren’t happening.
Final Thoughts
Snowstorms can feel stressful and disappointing especially on holiday weekends—but with a little preparation, they become an opportunity for rest, connection, and creativity at home. Whether you’re cooking, playing outside, or snuggling in with a puzzle, a well-stocked home can make winter magical.