1. Snow Day Rituals
We didn’t just hope for snow days back in the ’70s—we worked for them! There were all sorts of rituals we swore by to make sure school would be canceled. Some kids would flush ice cubes down the toilet, others would sleep with their pajamas inside out, and there was always the faithful “spoon under the pillow” trick. It sounds ridiculous now, but when the forecast called for snow, we’d try just about anything to guarantee a day off.
2. The Nightly News Weather Forecast Was Gospel
Before weather apps, we were glued to the nightly news for the forecast. If the weatherman even hinted at a snowstorm, it was all we could think about. I remember waiting through the boring news segments just to hear if a storm was coming. And when they said snow, that hopeful buzz would ripple through the neighborhood. No one knew how bad it would be or how much snow we’d get—half the fun was the anticipation.
3. Listening for School Closures on the Radio
In the 1970s, there were no text alerts or automated calls from the school district. Nope, we had to wake up extra early, plant ourselves by the radio or TV, and listen for the list of school closures. The waiting was nerve-wracking! They’d read them out in alphabetical order, and we’d sit there, crossing our fingers, waiting to hear the name of our school. When they finally announced it, it was like winning the lottery!
4. Playing Outside All Day (And Never Feeling Cold)
When we finally got that snow day, we didn’t waste it. We threw on our snow gear—which usually meant layers of mismatched clothes and those bulky, knitted mittens—and headed outside, often before breakfast. Sledding, building snow forts, having snowball fights—we’d spend hours outside, long past the point where our fingers and toes should’ve been frozen. But somehow, we didn’t care. We’d run in for a quick warm-up with hot cocoa and head back out again, repeating this cycle until the streetlights came on.
5. Snow Fort Engineering
Building a snow fort was serious business. You didn’t just toss a few snowballs together and call it a day—you crafted tunnels, walls, and barricades. Every neighborhood had their master builders, and fort-building competitions were intense. We took pride in creating the sturdiest, most impenetrable snow forts possible, knowing we’d be defending them in epic snowball battles later in the day.
6. Sledding on Whatever We Could Find
Sure, some kids had real sleds, but not all of us were so lucky. No sled? No problem. We grabbed whatever we could find—garbage can lids, old cardboard boxes, even plastic cafeteria trays—and hit the hills. The thrill of zooming down a hill, half out of control, with snow flying up in your face is a memory that never gets old.
7. Shoveling Snow for Neighbors
Snow days weren’t just fun—they were also an opportunity to make some money. We’d grab our shovels and knock on neighbors’ doors, offering to shovel their driveways and sidewalks for a couple of bucks. It was hard work, but totally worth it when you walked away with some pocket money. Plus, it felt good to help out the older folks in the neighborhood. By the end of the day, you’d be exhausted and rich—well, at least by kid standards.
8. Snow Cream
Who needed fancy snacks when you could make snow cream? We’d gather fresh snow in big bowls and mix in sugar, vanilla, and a little milk (if our parents let us). It was like making your own ice cream, and even though it wasn’t the most delicious treat ever, there was something magical about eating snow on a snow day.
9. The Battle of Wet Socks and Mittens
Snow gear back then was far from waterproof, and it wasn’t long before our socks and mittens would be soaked through. But that didn’t stop us. We’d trudge back inside, peel off those wet layers, and line them up near the heater or radiator to dry out. There was always this faint smell of wet wool hanging in the air on snow days. After a quick warm-up, we’d pull on semi-dry gear and head back outside like it was no big deal.
10. The Art of Making a Perfect Snowball
There was an art to packing the perfect snowball—firm enough to fly far but not so hard that it would hurt. We’d spend hours perfecting our technique, forming a stockpile of snowballs behind our snow fort walls. The snowball fights were legendary, and no one thought twice about getting hit in the face—just a part of the game!
11. Icy Roads Were a Kid’s Playground
Snowplows in the ‘70s weren’t as efficient as they are today, and the side streets often stayed icy for days. This was perfect for us! We’d slip and slide down those icy roads, either on foot or by sled, completely unfazed by how dangerous it probably was. If you were lucky, you might even catch a ride by grabbing onto the back of a passing car (which, looking back, was definitely not the safest idea!).
12. Building Snowmen—With a Lot of Help from Mom
Building a snowman was a snow day rite of passage, but it was way harder than it looked in the cartoons. We’d struggle to get the snow to stick together just right, often calling Mom or Dad to help us stack the heavy snowballs into shape. Finding just the right sticks for arms, a scarf, and the perfect rock eyes was serious business.
13. The Joy of Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue
There was something magical about standing still, looking up at the sky, and trying to catch snowflakes on your tongue. It was a silly, simple thing, but it was something all of us did on those snow days. And somehow, it made the world feel a little more enchanted.
14. No Fancy Gear—Just Layers of Whatever We Had
Forget high-tech snow gear! In the ‘70s, we bundled up in whatever we could find: old wool coats, hand-me-down snow pants, scarves our grandmas knitted, and boots that weren’t always waterproof. The idea was to just throw on as many layers as possible, whether they matched or not, and get outside. Function over fashion was the name of the game. Sometimes, we needed to get creative if we wanted to stay out all day, and one trick was to wrap plastic wrappers around our feet. Wonder Bread was always a favorite go-to cure for chilly toes!
15. Snow Angels That Never Quite Looked Right
Making snow angels seemed easy enough—lie down, flap your arms and legs, and voilà! But somehow, they never came out as perfect as we imagined. Still, there was a simple joy in making them, even if you’d end up with a lopsided, slightly smudged creation by the time you stood up.
16. The Inevitable Frozen Toes and Red Faces
By the end of the day, after hours of playing outside, we’d come inside with frozen toes, red cheeks, and wind-chapped faces. We’d warm up by the heater or fireplace, peeling off layer after layer of soggy, cold clothes. But it was all worth it for the joy of an unexpected day off from school and the memories made playing in the snow.
Snow days in the ‘70s were more than just a break from school—they were an adventure, a chance to make memories with friends, and a day where the world seemed a little bigger and more magical. Looking back, it’s the simple things—like snowball fights and catching snowflakes—that we cherish most.
