Make a gingerbread house

Prep time 10 minutes or so to gather supplies and make frosting
Cost-less than $10

It's easier for little hands to use the small milk cartons---clean it out and let it dry. Use frosting to glue on pieces of graham crackers all over the carton. You can use chocolate squares as windows or the door. Glue on M and M's or gumdrops for decorations. You can also use small marshmallows.

Learn new words in another language

-Prep time--time to go to the library
-Cost--free

You can find books about learning words in another language at your library. I know Usborne has a nice selection. Learn a few new words in another language or in sign language.

Make snowflakes

prep time none
cost less than $1.00

Cut out snowflakes from pieces of paper. Hang them up as is or decorate with some glitter.

Indoor sand box

Prep time none
Cost--free if you use what you have at home

Fill either a small inflatable pool or a Rubbermaid container with rice. Add a funnel, toy cars, etc for them to place in it.

Look at snowflakes up close

Prep time none
Cost free

Let some snow flakes land on your child's mitten. Have them look at them up close with a magnifying glass and see their different designs.

Identify animal tracks

-Prep time none
-Cost none

Check out a book about animal tracks from the library. Go outside after a snowfall and see if you can identify any animal tracks.

Hold a winter Olympics

Prep time--time to come up with ideas
-Cost--free

Different ideas for Winter Olympics---snowangel contest, relay races, pretend ice skating (jump and twirl around in boots), hockey (sticks with an inflatable ball and nets---just run back and forth).

Find an outdoor ice skating rink

Prep time none
Cost--usually free

Go ice skating at an outdoor rink, or see if an indoor rink has a discount day.

Alphabet I Spy

Prep time none
Cost free

Take turns playing alphabet I Spy. For instance I spy somethig that starts with the letter A...and so forth.

Toe painting

prep time none
cost few dollars

Instead of finger painting let them paint with their toes.