What two words can buy a school full of smiles? Snow day.

The storm that came through the Miami Valley this week, has given some area children and adults this distinctly winter gift.

If you are lucky enough to be in this group, effectively excused from school and work obligations, there are many ways to fill the gloriously free hours at home — whether you prefer to relax, have fun or get things done.

Kids know snow days

Kids have the snow day drill down. They view the days off more like another Saturday tacked onto the year rather than thinking about the assignments they are missing and might have to make up.

We adults could learn a little from that model and just enjoy the day.

Those with kids at home can have a fun day together — playing board games, playing video games, watching a movie, reading a good book, doing a puzzle, watching bad daytime TV, surfing the Web, listening to music or just plain hanging out together.

Tell each other stories, catch up on school gossip, predict what the year ahead will hold.

If you don’t want to stay cooped up inside, get out and build a snowman, build a snow fort and have a snowball fight, or go sledding — you never know how many chances we’ll get around here each year for a good day at the “slopes.”

Then come back inside for a nice cup of hot cocoa.

If the roads are cleared, get out and see a movie or take the troops out to lunch.

Make good use of the time off

Today’s snow day is well-timed: Just two weeks after Christmas it provides the rare opportunity to get caught up and/or get ahead.

If you still have decorations up, put everything away and get the house back in order. Use the time to answer Christmas cards or respond to a friend’s particularly touching holiday newsletter.

Prepare for the weekend. Clean the house, do laundry or get other weekly chores out of the way. This will make the upcoming weekend that much less hectic, and make it feel that much longer.

You also can get organized, work on an ongoing project or exercise. Working out, be it yoga or sit-ups, is a good way to keep warm, as well.

Take it easy

For those who just need a break, take the day as it is: A chance to relax at home, be lazy and forget about day-to-day worries.

Families are often so busy, it can be wonderful to just sit back and drink in this unexpected but much welcomed gift of time.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@coxohio.com.