Preparation is the key to playing outside in the snow. If you are prepared, your family can have a great time playing even in the winter weather.

If you’re not prepared, snow play can be a miserable experience for everyone.

Try using these tips and enjoy your time outside longer:

 You don’t need snow suits or snow boots to have fun in the snow (although boots are nice if the snow is deep). For the most comfortable experience outside in the snow, layer clothes. Wear sweats or long underwear under jeans (or wear two pairs of jeans). A turtleneck or T-shirt under a sweater with a coat on top will keep everyone warm even if they crash their sleds in the snow. Put double socks on everyone and double mittens and gloves if needed.

 Keep everyone’s feet dry. Put plastic bags over socks. Use a rubber band to hold them up or tie the handles of the bags around their legs. Then put their shoes on. Pull their pants down over the tops of the plastic bags. This keeps everyone’s feet dry. Wet feet will cause everyone to feel colder, but keeping their feet dry will enable them to stay out and have fun longer.

 For children, purchase many pairs of identical gloves. Santa brought our three kids 10 pairs of black gloves. That way, when one pair gets wet we can just trade it for a dry one. Each kid can soak two or three pairs of gloves in one day’s sledding. By the way, Santa only paid $5 for all them on sale after Thanksgiving.

When you don’t have a hat, wrap a scarf over your head to cover your ears.

Quick Hand Warmers:
Microwave potatoes for 5-10 minutes until very hot. After you remove from the microwave, wrap in foil, then wrap in a towel and put inside a cooler. When you need to thaw your hands, pull one out and wrap your hands around it for a quick warm up. When you’re done, dinner is ready. Just add sour cream and butter.

— Tawra Kellam, www.livingonadime.com