Fun & Games: Strategies for Winning a Snowball Fight

Snowball fights are a common sight in winter and can be great fun. Children (or even adults) dash to and fro, attempting to evade snowballs thrown by an opponent, while at the same time hoping to get in a few good shots of their own. Snowball fights are fun and exciting, and for some, they’re all about competition. If you are interested in truly winning a snowball fight, you’ll have to learn to strategize and take your opponents by surprise.

Before you even start thinking about strategy, you need to consider your equipment. Running shoes and your new hoodie just won't do. You need something that will keep you warm and dry, but still allow you to move quickly and quietly. This means that your old bulky snowsuit won't work either. Choose lightweight, but waterproof, mitts and boots. Your jacket should be light, so dress in layers. This way, you can discard a layer if you get too hot. You'll need snow pants of course, but go for the lighter version, perhaps the type with vents to help keep you cool if you're moving a lot. Choose a hat that will protect you from wild snowballs, such as one with ear flaps, and you should wear a neck warmer instead of a scarf. This way, you won't strangle yourself on a tree as you dodge flying snow-missiles.

You'll also need the correct ammunition. Powdery snow usually just falls apart when you try to make a snowball, but it can be handy for flinging into an opponent's eyes while you try to escape after finding yourself in enemy territory. Look for slightly damp powdery snow that can be easily molded. If you're near a driveway or roadside, look for slush. You can usually mix it with powdery snow to come up with a wonderful snowball that has great distance and accuracy. For even greater distance, find an old tennis or badminton racquet to hit your snowballs with. You'll be surprised at how far they'll fly. Now that you have your equipment, you'll need a strategy.

If you simply stand in the middle of the yard and throw snowballs, you’re bound to get hit a few times, probably in the face, and you’ll likely even lose the game. If you want to win a snowball fight, you’ll have to make the best use of available cover. Natural barriers such as trees and snow banks work well, or you can hide behind a deck, pile of firewood, or even behind a garbage can. To increase your own protection during a snowball fight, look for something that you can move with you. The lids of garbage cans work well, but anything that can act as a shield will do.

No cover? Create some. If you know that you’re likely to have a snowball fight in your front yard, get to work creating some clever places to hide. Pack snow into a ‘fort’ to provide protection. To strengthen this fort, pour water on top. The water will freeze, creating a barrier that is strong enough to withstand most attacks. If you have the time, you might want to stash some ready-made snowballs in your fort, in case of an emergency.

If you’re using teams for your snowball fight, make the best use of your teammates. Work together and plan together. Get an opponent singled out and split up, attacking from multiple angles. When attacking from different angles, it’s important that you do not completely surround the enemy. Your own teammates could get caught in the crossfire. If the rules of your game state that you’re eliminated as soon as you’re hit with a snowball, you could find yourself eliminating your own teammates.

If you have a large enough team, have some of your teammates wait at a designated location, hiding behind trees or snow banks. When things look bad for your team, make a show of retreating. Try to get the other team to follow you right into the heart of your ‘reinforcements.’ While this is a little sneaky and doesn’t guarantee a win, at least you’ll have done something creative.

Don’t retreat without a plan. If you team constantly flees, you’ll find that you’re soon cornered into one area of the playing field. At this point, you’ll be surrounded and probably be forced to surrender. Hold your ground, if at all possible. If you must run, have a plan in place before you and your teammates just start scattering.

If you’re running out of snowballs faster that you can make them, have a teammate or two leave the fight and focus solely on making snowballs for the entire team. This will speed things up and give anyone with a really good arm more opportunities to take out an unsuspecting opponent.

If you find yourself without a snowball when encountering an opponent, kick up some snow into your opponent’s face and run. Take cover and make yourself a few snowballs quickly, because your opponent is likely annoyed at you by now. He or she will probably be intent on shoving a snowball down your throat, so be prepared.

Don’t waste your snowballs. This means that you should avoid throwing them without a clear target. Before you throw a single snowball, find an opponent, get him or her in your sights, and then throw when you have the perfect opportunity. If this means that you have to wait before firing, then wait. Better to have waited a few seconds and hit your mark than fire immediately and miss.

Don’t be afraid to sneak up on people from behind. Hit-and-run is a perfectly acceptable tactic when engaging in a snowball fight. Just make sure you get out of there quickly, or you might become the target of the entire opposing team. Take shelter behind your own teammates, and if no one actually saw you attack from behind, deny, deny, deny.

Get your teammates to cover you will you try to get to higher ground. A deck, woodpile, play structure, or even high snow hill can work. If you have higher ground, you have a better chance of seeing who’s coming at you. If at all possible, have each teammate take a high position. This should help you to win the snowball fight.

When you see a snowball flying towards you, try to catch it in your own hands and fling it back at your attacker. Use soft hands to cup the snowball to help it maintain its integrity. Be careful when employing this strategy, because if the snowball explodes on your hands, it likely counts as a hit, and you might be eliminated from the game.

If you want to win a snowball fight, you’ll have to be quick. Make your snowballs quickly, attack quickly, and move quickly. If you stay in one place too long, you’ll likely have the other team descend upon you. Change positions frequently, and try not to let the other team discover exactly where you are, at least for a few exchanges.

A truly organized snowball fight will have rules. Make sure everyone understands the rules before you start playing. Remember to be specific when creating these rules. If you say you can’t throw a snowball at someone’s face, then you can’t really get to angry when someone throws a snowball at the back of you head. You should have been more specific and said no throwing snowballs at the HEAD. Know what’s acceptable and what’s not, and you’ll all have a more exciting game.

Above all, be safe. Dress warmly in waterproof clothing, don’t throw rocks or ice, and be gentle with younger children. If you follow these rules and are creative with your strategies, then you’ll soon find yourself enjoying a snowball fight that you likely have a very good chance of winning.

Fun Movies to Watch at Home on a Snow Day

Snow days happen. They simply cannot be avoided in many areas, and you may find yourself completely snowed in at one point or another during the long and cold winter months. Movies are often a natural way to entertain yourself, but it’s not always easy to select the right movie.  Your choices will mostly be determined by who you’re snowed in with and how many children of varying ages you have running around. So pop some popcorn, grab a warm blanket, and settle in for the day.

Romantic Movies

If you’re snowed in either your partner, you might be in a romantic mood. While there are many options available, there are certain movies that just seem more romantic and suited to a snow day than others. “Casablanca” is a classic, and well worth the time, even if you’re by yourself for the day. What it with your partner, with the snow falling down outside, and you’re sure to have a romantic evening.

Other options include “Singing in the Rain,” purely for the music, as the story itself is just a little flat. You could also go for something lighter, such as “Ever After,” which is a cute little version of the Cinderella fable, but without the magic.  “The Princess Bride” is an enchanting little fantasy that’s good for all audiences.

Other good romances to watch when you’re snowed in with your partner include “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” “Tristan and Isolde,” or perhaps the story of Queen Victoria’s romance with Prince Albert in “Young Victoria.” All of these would satisfy the need for romance while trapped by the weather.

Family Movies

Inevitably, many families end up snowed in, either because the roads are truly impassable, or simply because the local school division has cancelled classes. In this case, it’s time to hunt down the more family-oriented movies. If you have children who love trains, “The Polar Express” is a wonderful choice, with upbeat music and a cute little story. The classic animated feature “Fern Gully” is also a good idea, especially if you want a movie completely devoid of snow. It has the added bonus on a variety of positive messages for your children to absorb.

“Alvin and the Chipmunks” is good for a few laughs and might even make you forget that it’s snowing outside. Other good choices include “Arthur and the Invisibles” or really any Disney animated movie, such as “The Lion King” or “Bambi.” For the older children you love fantasy, try one of “The Chronicles of Narnia” movies, or any movie in the “Harry Potter” series.

Action or Adventure Movies

There are so many movies in this category that it’s almost impossible to choose just a few to mention. However, if you’re snowed in all alone and want something fast-paced and exciting, These movies come in all genres, so you’ll have to choose based on what you like, and what you have in your movie cabinet.

Some suggestions in this category include most movies with Steven Seagal or Harrison Ford (“Under Siege” or “Air Force One” both come to mind). You could also watch “The Bourne Identity” or another of the Bourne films, or “Independence Day.” Beware of these movies if your children are under thirteen. Discretion is advised for most of these movies.

If you’re looking for a little more fantasy with your action, consider the “Jurassic Park” series, any “Star Trek” movie, or any of the “X-Men” movies. Any of these will keep you entertained and occupied during the long, dark snow day ahead.

Dramatic Movies

This is another category just exploding with possibly movies, and most of these movies cross over into other genres. You could try “Schindler’s List,” which is both disturbing and fascinating but generally not suited for young children. A true tear-jerker, it can easily fill part of your day, if it’s a movie that interests you. “I Am Legend” is another interesting pick for a cold winter’s day.

“Legends of the Fall” is a journey into the dark secrets of love and betrayal, but also emphasizes the bonds of family. It’s exciting, romantic, and sad all at the same time and is sure to satisfy many audiences. Of course, if you simply want a movie that reminds you things can always get worse than being snowed in, try “The Day After Tomorrow.” This is the movie my own children pick when we can't get out of the driveway.

There are hundreds of movies to choose from, and narrowing it down is no easy task. Try making your own list of movies you can watch during a long day at home and keep in handy. And remember, if you are really in doubt and want to spend the entire day immersed in a movie, take yourself off to Middle Earth for the day and play the extended version of “The Lord of the Rings.” All three films. That should last until your street is plowed.

Snow Day Activities for Teenagers and Tweens

Snow days are an almost inevitable part of any winter. At some point during the season, you’ll see a winter wonderland outside, and hear the declaration on the radio — it’s a snow day. This may not always seem like a bad thing, but if you’re a parent of teenagers, finding ways to occupy your older children might present a challenge. This is especially true during a snow day, when boredom sets in even faster than normal. Fortunately, there are many fun and creative ways to entertain your teens during the long snow days.

If your teens haven’t touched board games in a while, it’s time to bring them out. Look through your closets and cupboards for classics such as Monopoly, Clue, or maybe even Myst. There are also some modern board games that are particularly suited to curious teenagers, such as Dragonology or perhaps even the DVD-board game Atmosfear.  When you’re shopping between snow days, keep your eyes open for new and exciting board games to fill long snow days and evenings that you may face.

While you're out shopping, purchase those model kits that sometimes go on sale. They make a wonderful activity on a cold winter day. Purchase a variety to entertain all your teenagers. Look for model cars, trains, and airplanes, but also keep your eye out for model buildings. The budding architect in your family will really enjoy the opportunity to construct a scale model.

Try to get your teens to write a story. This may seem difficult, but if you have budding authors in your household, it may be worth the effort to get them to all sit down and commit thoughts to paper. Let each teenager write whatever they like, whether it’s a short story, flash fiction, or maybe even the very beginnings of a novel. If you have a teen who has difficulty finding ideas, help them out by giving them some basic plot points, but let them do the real writing.

If the weather permits, get your teenagers outside. Try to encourage them to do something fun. They’re certainly not too old to build a snow fort or throw a few snowballs back and forth. You might even be able to convince them to build a snowman, or even make a few snow angels in the front yard. Teenagers do enjoy the chance to let loose and have a good time, but they do sometimes need a little encouragement.

If the roads aren’t closed, consider heading out with your teens. Skating and sledding are wonderful ways to pass the time, even for older children. Depending on your teenagers and their own interests, you might want to head to the local park and either try skiing or snow shoeing. If you don’t have the equipment, look for places that will rent it to you for the day.

Start a scrapbook. Teens and older children often enjoy the opportunity to exercise their creative abilities, so pull out the paper, photos, and scrapbooks and get started. Maybe even take a few moments to capture the snow day itself on camera. If you don’t have all the supplies and can’t run to the craft store, just focus on organizing the photos you want to use. Make a promise to each other to put the scrapbook together as soon as possible.

If you really can't think of anything to do, engage your teenagers in a game of charades. Your teenagers might groan a bit at first, but give it a chance anyway. Within just a few moments you might find your children laughing and enjoying themselves, despite their best intentions.

Get your teens together and plan the ultimate snow day dinner. Act mainly as supervisor and have them do the majority of the preparation. Let them guide the dinner, all the way from menu selection to presentation of the meal. Girls as well as boys can participate in this activity. Consider making this an all-day event and baking breads and muffins, perhaps enough to last the entire week. This is a great bonding activity, and if you choose to make a cake, your teenagers can have a lot of fun decorating it.

Make some music. If you or your teenagers play any instruments, take turns playing for each other. You could even all play together. If no one plays an instrument, everyone can choose their favorite songs from their iPod, a CD, or from the radio. Take turns dancing to each song, getting as creative and as silly as you like. Teens might enjoy the opportunity to express themselves through dance without friends around to watch.

Make it a movie day. Have your teens select their favorite movies and play them, one by one. Between movies, ask your teens to analyze different aspects of each movie. Perhaps ask them about plot, theme, or character development. If they’re in high school, they may have been discussing these things in one of their classes, so they may have some detailed insights into each movie.

A snow day doesn’t have to mean boredom. There are so many ways to entertain your teenagers when they’re stuck at home. Try to get them engaged in the normal activities around the house, and then add something that’s not quite so normal. Have fun, get creative, and make some memories before your teens grow up.

Money Management: The Causes of Overspending

It is easier to overspend today that it has ever been, especially when you have children. With the advent of credit cards, lines of credit, car loans, home equity loans, and all those “buy now, pay later” offers, there are just so many ways to go into debt. It may seem that the solution is to stop overspending, but unless you examine the causes of overspending and understand how to solve these common problems, that is unlikely to happen.

Credit Cards and Monthly Payments

Credit cards are one of the leading causes of overspending, simply because anyone can get a credit card. Even if you have poor credit or declared bankruptcy recently, you might still find yourself eligible for thousands of dollars worth of credit cards. And they’re so easy to use. Hand them over to the store clerk and worry about paying for them later. Before you know it, you’ve charged hundreds or thousands of dollars to your credit card, and you have no way to pay it all back.

If you always pay your credit card bills in full, every month, then credit cards might work for you. However, if you’re like most people, you carry a balance. And that balance continues to grow each month as you continue to use your card. The interest alone might be enough to sink your personal finances. The only way to deal with this problem is to get rid of them. Cut up every credit card, come up with a plan to pay off the bills, and never use a card again.

Of course, then you’re still left facing those monthly payments. Examine your monthly payments carefully. Is your minimum payment higher than the interest being charged? In many cases, it won’t be. If you minimum payment is lower than the interest charges every month, that credit card can never be paid off. It will only continue to grow. Pay more than the minimum, and never use the card again. This way, you won’t be able to overspend using a credit card, and your debt will cease to grow.

Peer Pressure and Keeping Up With Friends

Going out with friends can really be hard on your wallet. Movies, dinners, and clubs are certainly not cheap. And yet you don’t want to beg off and be left out. However, you may simply not be able to afford to go out all the time, and if your friends have more money than you do (or are simply willing to spend more than you are), this can lead to some socially awkward situations.

This is one of the hardest causes to isolate and correct. It’s hard not to go out with your friends, to spend the money they’re spending. However, if you really want to curb your overspending, you may have to. Try suggesting that your friends come over for a night of movies and board games, or video games, or whatever it is that you and your friends like to do. Have everyone bring a snack and you’ll be surprised at how much money you’ll save.

Of course, sometimes it’s not about what your friends want to do. Sometimes you simply want to keep up, whether it’s with your friends, a family member, or even a coworker. Purchasing items simply because you need to ‘keep up’ will get you nowhere except further in debt. If you truly intend to curb your overspending, you’ll have to learn how to be satisfied with what you have.

Sales and Impulse Buys

Everyone loves a good deal. However, a deal is only a deal if you were going to buy it anyway. It’s so easy to justify a purchase simply because it was on sale. But remember, if you never intended to by it, then you overspent.

This same rule applies to impulse buying. Products are packaged as to encourage a buy, but if you have to be encouraged to buy it, then you really didn’t need it in the first place. Before purchasing something that wasn’t on your ‘need it’ list, go home and think about it for a week. If you still decide to buy it, at least it wasn’t an impulse buy.

Emotional Causes of Overspending

Sometimes overspending has nothing to do with access to credit or peer pressure. Sometimes overspending is the result of allowing your emotions to decide when it comes to purchasing. If you buy things because it makes you feel good or to fill an emotional void in your life, then you have fallen victim to this very powerful cause of overspending.

This is an extremely difficult habit to break. If you truly believe that buying that handbag will make you feel better, help you fit in, or cure your own boredom, then you probably won’t stop. You’ll spend until you are so far in debt that you simply cannot get out.

It’s important to realize that while overspending may feel good in the moment, eventually it will catch up with you. When that credit card bill arrives, you won’t feel very good about how much you owe. Avoid the emotional impact of not being able to pay all your bills and reevaluate the reasons why you overspend.

Giving Your Children Everything

Most parents want what’s best for their children. And often this translates into buying whatever they want whenever they want it. The intention may be good, but it’s important to realize that if you can’t afford to buy it for yourself, you probably can’t afford to buy it for your children either. Overspending on your children sets a bad example, so do everyone a favor and curb the impulse to spend.

There are so many reasons to overspend. You might be greedy, or maybe you really don’t realize you can’t afford it. Whatever the reason, and however much society seems to encourage overspending, it’s important to realize that overspending will eventually lead only to one place — overwhelming debt.