The Wild Weather Book: Loads of Things to Do in Rain, Wind and Snow, by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield, is a fantastic guide filled with 72 creative outdoors projects and games. With directions on how to make things like ice lanterns and snow pictures, instructions for games like curling and snow golf, and ideas for crafts like ice windows and sculptures, winter will never have seemed so exciting.

The Potato Chip Science Book & Stuff, by A. Kurzweil & Son, is probably not what you think. This is a classic case of not judging a book (bag?) by its cover. Inside the “chip” bag, there’s a book filled with instructions for experiments using potatoes and chip bags and canisters, as well as a bunch of tools to help kids get started. Cool projects include how to make a compass out of a chip lid; a windmill out of a chip bag; a bird caller; a bird feeder; and much more. Throughout the book, the science behind each experiment is detailed and so entertaining that kids probably won’t know they’re learning while they’re having a blast.

L.L. Bean always has some great products for winter. The Kids Winter Walker Snowshoes are easy for kids to get on and off by themselves, even with mittens on, thanks to the Easy Fit bindings. A molded heel cup holds each foot securely in place. Hardened-aluminum crampons at the toe and heel provide outstanding traction on ice and crusty snow, and the aluminum frame is lightweight and virtually indestructible. Strap on your snowshoes and take a winter walk with the kids, looking for tracks and exploring the winter wonderland.

When the snow really builds up, the Snow Castle and Snowball Maker Set and the Snowman Family Kit are ideal for hours of fun. The castle kit includes two snowball makers, two block makers, and one turret maker, so making perfect snowballs and walls for a fort is a snap. Build a family to live in the castle with the snowman family kit, which includes a pair of glasses with eyes, three different carrot noses, a smiling mouth, two unique pairs of eyes, a pair of antlers, six black "coal" pieces, and nine assorted buttons. The 26-piece kit is all made of solid wood with dowels in the back so they’ll stick in the snow.

Kim Foley MacKinnon is a Boston-based editor, journalist, travel writer—and mom. She writes the Kids Outdoors Boston blog for the Appalachian Mountain Club and contributes to the Boston Globe, AAA Horizons, Boston Parents Paper, and many other publications.