outdoors
Snow toys add a twist to the fluffy stuff
The Yardboard is a super cool slider that lets you go booting down hills with no other special equipment required. It works on dirt, grass or snow and is virtually indestructible. Recommended for ages six and up.
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Leslie Foster
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In snow time, some people are hunkering down, looking for the rock salt, and lighting a fire. Others can’t wait to get outside to enjoy the fresh, white, cold blanket over our part of the world. For this happy group, fun is everywhere, including the back yard, so we’ve looked up some “tools” to make bombing down the hill, fort-building, and snowball fights even better. Think safety: Wear a helmet for downhill fun, stay away from roads or snowmobile trails, and pick hills with no trees or rocks.
If you’re under attack, there’s nothing like speed to replenish your pile of snowballs. The Snowball Maker is durable plastic, and easy enough to use for little kids and cool enough for the biggest kids. It makes perfect, soft, round snowballs … great for throwing, an essential snowball war tool.
x The lightweight Snow Block Maker makes building forts more fun than ever. Its uniform bricks
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For anyone with artistic urges, snow can be a marvelous canvas. Crayola Washable Markers are great for decorating snowmen. Spray bottles filled with KoolAid easily add colour to larger surfaces.
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make stacking a breeze. Just pack with snow and dump. With the right snow conditions, you’ll be surrounded by walls in no time.
Hand-crafted, vintage-style toboggans made by Mountain Boggans feature steam-bent, knot-free basswood planks and handcarved willow crosspieces. Gorgeous and functional, the sleds curl at the front large enough for adult feet. Each model has an extra-long rope for easy towing. This one will last for generations. Available in four-foot (1.2 m), sixfoot (1.8m) and eight-foot (2.4 m) lengths. If you have wee ones, check out their vintage-style baby sleds too.
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www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
