Virtual learning snow days are… a vibe.
Students are excited. Teachers are scrambling. And no one wants a full, jam-packed lesson schedule when half the class is still in pajamas eating cereal.
The goal?
Keep kids engaged without overcomplicating your day.
Here are 5 easy, low-prep activities that work beautifully for a virtual learning snow day—whether you’re teaching live, assigning independent work, or doing a mix of both.
Listen to So Much Snow by Robert Munsch 📖❄️
A read-aloud is always a safe bet on a virtual snow day.
So Much Snow by Robert Munsch is a perfect choice because it’s:
- Short and engaging
- Relatable for kids on a snow day
- Easy to build a quick comprehension or sequencing activity around
After listening, students can:
- Retell the story using pictures or sentence frames (Grab this free worksheet on Google Slides)
- Write about their favorite part
- Draw what they would do if they had “so much snow”
Low pressure. High engagement.
Play a Winter-Themed Memory game
One of the easiest ways to get students engaged on a virtual learning snow day is with digital memory games—and this January-themed set is the perfect fit! These no-prep activities are designed to grab students’ attention right away. Simply display a detailed winter scene for a moment, then switch to a question slide to see how much your class remembers.
Check them out here
It’s a fun way to sneak in important skills without feeling like traditional “work.” These games are ideal for morning meetings, brain breaks, or even as a quick snow day activity. Students get to practice key skills like attention to detail, focus, and vocabulary, all while enjoying a playful winter theme that keeps them smiling and thinking.
Explore a January Virtual Library 📚💻
Virtual libraries are a snow day lifesaver.
A January-themed virtual library gives students:
- Choice (always a win)
- Access to seasonal books
- The ability to work independently at their own pace
To keep it purposeful without adding stress, pair the library with a simple Google Slides response, like:
- Draw your favorite book cover
- Write one fact you learned
- Rate a book using emojis ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This keeps students accountable without turning the snow day into a worksheet marathon. Grab it for free here!
Write About a Day in a Snow Globe ❄️✍️
This is such a fun creative writing option for virtual learning days. Grab the free digital worksheet here!
Prompt students to imagine:
What would your day look like if you lived inside a snow globe?
Students can:
- Drag and drop images to build their scene
- Draw directly on the slide
- Write a few sentences or a short paragraph
This activity works well because it:
- Encourages creativity
- Allows for easy differentiation
- Doesn’t require “perfect” writing (snow day rules apply!)
Read a Decodable Story + Practice a Phonics Skill 📘🔤
Snow days don’t mean we skip structured literacy.
A short decodable story paired with a focused phonics skill is:
- Predictable
- Manageable
- Perfect for asynchronous learning
Students can:
- Read the decodable text
- Highlight or sort words with the target pattern
- Complete a quick follow-up activity to show understanding
This keeps instruction aligned—without overwhelming students or teachers. Flyleaf Publishing has a library of 89 FREE digital decodable books! Check them out here.
Keep Virtual Learning Easy + Fun
Virtual learning snow days don’t need to be stressful or packed with complicated plans. A few familiar, engaging activities can help keep students learning while still honoring the fun and flexibility that a snow day brings. Whether you choose a memory game, a virtual library, a creative writing prompt, or a short phonics activity, the key is keeping things simple and manageable—for both you and your students. With the right mix of structure and creativity, virtual snow days can still be meaningful, productive, and even a little bit fun.
