Our Guide: Snow Day Play in Hawai‘i

First time playing in Island-style snow? Here are our seven tips to help you avoid a deep freeze.

In Hawai‘i, we can only dream of a White Christmas, unless you are planning to set up house on the slopes of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa. It is no surprise that snow events have become a popular way for local families to give their kids their first chance to play in the wintry stuff.

The icy stuff shaved up and blasted across O‘ahu lawns by local ice companies is different from a real blanket of snow. Our warm temperature quickly turns the fluffy flakes into a mound of ice. As a veteran of at least three snow days, and a recent vacation to ski country, I’ve watched my daughter slip, slide, crash and—this was the worst—quit after an hour in line and just three minutes of play. Here are my tips for making the most of this fun Island tradition.

⛸️ SEE ALSO: Get Ready to Ice Skate at the Hawai‘i Convention Center

Our 7 Tips

1. Don’t forget the gloves. The only reason my daughter quit playing early was because of frosty fingertips.  Kids hands are the first thing to go. Target has $1 knit gloves in the dollar bins in the front of the store. We also found a good selection of affordable, insulated gloves and mittens at OshKosh B’Gosh and Carter’s while shopping for a HONOLULU Family holiday party photoshoot in Waikele. Forget the full winter ensemble though. Kids suited up in puffy coats, hats, scarves and pants are left with limited mobility. Go with gloves, covered shoes, light pants, a T-shirt and a seasonal hat just for photo ops.

2. Get there early. Keiki are usually allowed into the snow area one group at a time. The first group gets the freshest snow. The kids who come in several rounds later find packed down, grassy and muddy ice. The children I’ve gone with still had a blast, but the icy cover is more slippery and leads to more spills, especially for toddlers.

3. Wear shoes with traction. It goes without saying that slippers are not the best in slippery conditions. When slippers are kicked off, frostbitten toes are sure to follow.

4. If you have little kids, stick to the edges. At the most popular events, the center of the play area can resemble a mosh pit. It’s great fun for older kids scrambling to get to the top of the hill and initiating snowball fights with strangers. Littler ones will find quieter play spaces and less trampled, if a little more melted, snow around the perimeter. The ground is usually more even as well.

5. Make friends with the snow guys. At one of the events, my husband started chatting with one of the ice company workers. When they started refreshing the snow about halfway through, the guy made sure to send some new flakes to my daughter’s area. They’re also the ones who can tell you when a fresh round is coming.

6. Don’t expect to build a Frosty-sized snowman. The largest one we’ve ever accomplished was about six-inches tall. We still loved it.

7. Do plan a hot chocolate stop afterwards. It may be 80 degrees outside, but a hot cup of cocoa heats up cold fingers and is a festive way to end a fun day.

There is a lot more fun for families this holiday season. Watch for more crafts, recipes and a full round up of holiday events and parades in our Holiday Corner.