Favorite Snow Day Staples: Pizza, Hot Cocoa, and St. Louis Traditions

When the snow starts falling in St. Louis, the city transforms into a calm, frosty playground where families and neighbors find joy in the unexpected pause. With school canceled and streets blanketed in white, snow days offer a chance to slow down, enjoy a warm meal, and reconnect with each other.

Whether you spend the day bundled up indoors or out playing in the snow, certain comforts and activities have become snow day must-haves for families across the St. Louis area. In this post, we’re serving up the ultimate guide to snow day staples including cozy food, delicious frozen St. Louis-style pizza that takes you back to when you were a kid, and the unique traditions that make winter in the Lou so memorable.

1. Hot Cocoa: The All-Time Snow Day Classic

Before the mittens are even off, someone’s already asking for hot chocolate. And for good reason. Hot cocoa is the gold standard of comfort on a snow day. Whether you whip it up with a quick packet or make your own with cocoa powder, milk, and sugar, there’s something about holding a warm mug between frozen fingers that just feels right.

You can even take it up a notch with a hot cocoa bar! 

Set out toppings like mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, cinnamon, and peppermint sticks. Kids love the freedom to create their own concoctions, and what adult doesn’t appreciate a delicious, cozy way to wind down after being outside?

2. Pizza Night (or Lunch): A St. Louis Snow Day Go-To

Snow days that happen during the week are hectic for parents. That combined with the cold makes cooking full meals tough. That’s when Dogtown Pizza comes in to save the day. Locally made in our beloved St. Louis-style, and perfect for popping into the oven after winter play (or shoveling). If you are an overachiever, check out our blog on planning the ultimate pizza party!

Why pizza works so well on a snow day:

• It’s a crowd-pleaser – Kids, teens, and grownups all agree on pizza.
• No prep, no mess – Straight from the freezer to the oven to your plate. If you really want no mess, paper plates or even a durable paper towel will do – we won’t judge!
• Something for everyone – With options like Deluxe, Meatball Mozzarella, Bacon Bacon, and Pepperoni Pepperoncini, you can mix and match to satisfy every taste.

Looking for fun pairings? Try these:

• 3-Cheese Pizza + Tomato Soup – A simple combo that warms you up from the inside out.
• Sausage & Pepperoni + Caesar Salad – A little crunch, a little spice, and no cleanup.
• Veggie Pizza + Garlic Bread– Balance the rich, yeasty delicacy with something fresh with a cracker-thincrust.

3. Easy Indoor Fun for the Whole Family

Once the snowball fights wrap up and fingers start to go numb, it’s time to bring the fun indoors. Snow days are a perfect excuse for unplugged entertainment or at least the kind that doesn’t involve homework.

Here are a few crowd-pleasing ideas:

• Family board game tournaments – Dust off old favorites like Uno, Yahtzee, or Monopoly.
• Blanket fort movie marathons – Let the kids design the ultimate snow day hideout, then cozy up for winter classics or family comedies.
• Baking projects – Snow days are a great time to bake cookies, banana bread, or even make your own pizza dough (if you’re feeling ambitious).
• DIY crafts – Try paper snowflakes, bird feeders with peanut butter and seed, or indoor scavenger hunts.

The idea is to keep things light, relaxed, and screen-free if possible. Snow days are short, but the memories can last forever.

4. More Ways to Make the Day Special

Snow days don’t happen every week. Creating small rituals gives kids something to look forward to and builds family traditions that can last well beyond the winter. Take the opportunity to make them a little extra:

• Let the kids stay in pajamas all day.
• Make a snow day playlist and have a dance party in the living room.
• Have each family member pick one snow day “must” and check it off as you go.

Cold Weather Fun, St. Louis-Style

St. Louis has its own way of celebrating winter weather, and these local activities are part of what makes a snow day here feel so unique.

Sledding at Art Hill

No list of snow day fun in St. Louis is complete without Art Hill. Located in Forest Park in front of the St. Louis Art Museum, it’s one of the most popular sledding spots in the region. Families bundle up, bringing sleds, tubes, and even trash can lids to fly down the wide hill for hours of frosty fun.

Zoo Lights or Garden Glow

While these aren’t exclusive to snow days, they often align with winter break and holiday weather. Zoo Lights at the St. Louis Zoo and Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden offer beautiful light displays that feel extra magical when snow is on the ground. Bundle up and grab a cup of cocoa while you stroll through the lights.

Snow Ice Cream

A favorite among St. Louis kids and nostalgic parents alike. If the snow is clean and fresh, you can scoop some into a bowl and mix it with sweetened condensed milk or a blend of sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. It’s a once-a-year treat that brings smiles to everyone’s face.

Watch the Blues Play

There’s nothing like warming up indoors when the Blues hit the ice. On snow days, a hockey game gives families a great excuse to make nachos, curl up on the couch, and root for the home team. It’s a win-win: exciting entertainment and a chance to relax together. Here is the schedule! 

Snow Days Are Meant to Be Enjoyed. 

In St. Louis, snow days are more than just school cancellations; they’re mini-holidays packed with familiar food, family time, and the local traditions that make the Midwest feel like home.

Whether you’re sipping hot cocoa, taking a few runs down Art Hill, or pulling a Dogtown Pizza out of the oven, the magic of a snow day is all about keeping it simple and making time for each other.

So the next time the flakes start to fall, lean into the moment. Stay warm, eat well, and make it a day your family won’t forget.

Head to your local store today and grab a couple of your favorite pizzas and hot cocoa supplies to have at the ready when the snow starts coming down!