Snowed In or Rained Out? 5 Cozy At-Home Craft Traditions Canadian Kids Actually Love

Living in Canada means we get some of the most magical seasons in the world — and also the sudden January snow day when school buses are cancelled, or the three-day April rainstorm when the park is a mud pit.

Unlike glitter crafts or paint sets that leave your dining table covered in mess after ten minutes, keeping a couple of Build A Friend DIY Stuffed Animal Kits tucked away in the closet gives you an instant, zero-mess afternoon adventure whenever bad weather strikes.

1. The "Hot Cocoa & Stuff-A-Friend" Snow Day Picnic

Lay a big blanket on the living room floor, warm up mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and bring out the unstuffed animal shells and fluffy white polyfill (which looks just like indoor snowballs!). Let the kids take their time fluffing the stuffing before filling their new friend.

2. Design a Cozy Winter or Pajama Outfit

Pair your indoor craft day with a cozy set of plush jammies or hoodies so your child and their new friend can match in their pajamas all afternoon!

3. Build a Living Room Blanket Fort "Adoption Agency"

After sealing up the one-way zip-tie and Velcro closure (see our 8 Easy Steps), drape blankets over the sofa cushions to create an official "Adoption Office." Kids can interview each other's stuffed animals and sign the official Adoption Certificates inside the fort.

4. Host an Indoor Obstacle Course With Their New Friend

Need to burn off some indoor energy? Have kids balance their newly stuffed friend on their head while walking a tape line on the carpet, or push their friend in a laundry-basket "bobsled" across the hallway!

5. Read-Aloud Buddy Time

Wind down the afternoon by having your child read their favourite picture book or chapter book aloud to their brand-new plush listener. Teachers love this trick because kids read with zero pressure when reading to a stuffed friend they built themselves!