Update, with photo: We tried painting the snow with tempera paint on Friday, and the kids loved it. It kept them busy for a good 45 minutes.

I don't know what it is, but so far this winter I just can't seem to get up the motivation to go outside with my kids.

Usually I look forward to taking them out to play in the snow. I've often said that at least it gives us something to do outside in the cold weather. And I'm all for getting them outside as much as possible.

But so far this year, I'm just not enthused about the idea of pulling them around the yard in their little sleds. I think it's because I'm working part-time again, so when I'm home with our preschooler, I feel less of a need to get myself outside. And I know he and his older sister are getting time to play outside at their respective schools.

Anyway. I'm not going to be a grumpy mom who never plays in the snow with her kids. What I need are some better defined activities. So, here's a list, culled from several resources, that should keep us busy for awhile.

Ice Houses, from MomsToday.com:

You'll need: Cans of all sizes Plastic bowls of all sizes Milk cartons Coke bottles

Here's what you do: Help your child fill the containers with water, being sure to leave some room for expansion. Place them in the freezer overnight. The next day, show your child how to dip them into warm water to help remove the ice blocks. Then the fun begins. Let your child manipulate them to make houses and communities. This would be a fun activity to do outside on a cold day so their masterpiece lasts longer.

Painting, from Songs4Teachers.com:

What to paint with: Paint with pine tree branches. Paint with pinecones. Paint with cotton balls. Paint with snowballs and dry tempera paints. Make ice cubes with food coloring and paint with the colored ice cubes.

Puffy Paint for Textured Snow Place equal parts glue and shaving cream in small paper cups (one for each child). Have the child vigorously stir the mixture with a popsicle stick. Then have the children paint their snow scenes with the popsicle stick. Sprinkle with clear or silver glitter after they're done painting. The paint will dry puffy. The next day, they can add more details withpaint or other art materials.

Painting On Snow Materials: Watercolors, tempera paint or food coloring mixed with water, brushes, paint containers, snow Preparation: Pour paint into containers suitable for use outdoors. Activity: Take the children outside when the snow is a few inches deep. Allow them to freely explore the effects of paint on snow, using both small and large brushes. The colors will spread as the paint touches the snow. Encourage children to create splashed colors with wide, sweeping movements or to make snow sculptures and paint them. The snow will hold the paint cans and brushes firmly in place.

Snow Color Squirts Materials: Foodcolor, Water, Spraybottles Activity: Fill empty plastic squeeze bottles with water and different colors of food coloring. Let the children squirt the colors onto the snow. Children will enjoy watching as the snow becomes a rainbow of colors. The next day, examine the snow to observe the melting process.

Painting with Ice, from About.com:

Materials Needed: Heavy Paper (fingerpainting paper) Tempera Paint Ice Cube Tree Toothpicks, Drinking Straws, or Popsicle Sticks

Fill the ice cube tray with water and place in freezer. When it is about 1/2 way frozen, stick a toothpick into each cube. You can also cut drinking straws or popsicle sticks in half and put those in the ice cubes. Freeze ice cubes completely.

Once ice cubes are completely frozen you can paint with them by using the toothpick or straw as a handle! Put some blobs of paint on a piece of heavy paper (you can also used powdered tempera paint). Make fun designs and scenes by running an ice cube around on the paper through the paint. Swirl it, drag it, get creative!

Jen Eyer is on the Community Team at AnnArbor.com. She oversees the Parenting and Home & Garden sections, and writes feature stories, blog posts and opinion pieces. She can be reached at 734-623-2577 or jeneyer@annarbor.com.