9 easy ways to enjoy a snow day in Milwaukee

Snow day? Snowed in? 'S no reason to panic.

Here a few suggestions for enjoying an unplanned day at home, whether you can open the door or not. 

1. Popcorn's always a good choice. Pop and season it your favorite way, or get fancy with Stovetop Kettle Corn or Spiced Popcorn with Pecans and Raisins.

2. You have meteorological permission to indulge yourself in a streamfest. A few suggestions: All six seasons of Milwaukee native Dan Harmon's "Community" (on Hulu); "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" on Amazon Prime, with Milwaukee native Rachel Brosnahan as a woman in late 1950s New York who, when her husband leaves her, decides to try her own hand at his dream job — stand-up comedy; and "One Day at a Time," the reboot of the 1970s sitcom, powered by Rita Moreno as the speaking-truth-to-power grandmother (Netflix).   

RELATED:Snow day cinema: How to watch this year's Oscar-nominated movies without leaving home

3. Take a cue from the Winter Olympics and improvise some snowy competition. Turn your driveway into a broomball rink, with brooms or rakes for sticks, a tennis ball instead of a puck, boots in place of skates, trees or buckets serving as goal posts. Bike helmets recommended for fierce competitors.

4. If roads are safe enough to get out, head to Havenwood State Forest for some snowshoeing. Explore the more than 6 miles of trails in the state's only urban forest. The nature center has some snowshoes available for borrowing.

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5. Get in a workout while doing that nagging pile of laundry. Run up and down the stairs. Grab a bottle of detergent for bicep curls.

6. Reading a book while stuck inside is always a good idea. So turn to the best novel ever about being stuck inside, Emma Donoghue's "Room," about her mother and her 5-year-old son who live in a tiny shed. Ma's creativity at keeping Jack busy in their confinement may inspire you. Donoghue, who lives in Canada, said Ma's adventures with Jack are extrapolated from times when she was snowed in with her little children. Audiobook and ebook versions are available. 

7. Sign-up for Spotify (if you haven't already) and find a perfect playlist to fit your mood. "Winter Acoustic" and "Winter Sounds" are appropriate, natch. If you're cozying up with a coffee, consider "Relax and Unwind" or a variety of coffeehouse-themed playlists, spanning from soul to country. "Mood Booster," "Feelin' Good" and "Happy Hits!" will brighten your day. Or, if you'd rather wallow in the misery of your confinement, stream the "Down in the Dumps" and "Life Sucks" playlists.

8. When dinnertime rolls around, no worries. If you don’t have a frozen pizza on hand or worthy leftovers to reheat, this quick-to-assemble Turkey Taco Chili makes use of pantry staples and lends itself to infinite substitutions. No ground turkey? Use ground beef. No pinto beans? Use another kind. Frozen corn can be used in place of canned. You get the idea.

9. Whether you got out of your pajamas or not, bring the day to a close with a locally crafted brew, like that bottle of Central Waters 18 you've been saving just for a day like this. 

Nancy Stohs, Chris Foran, Chelsey Lewis, Kathy Flanigan and Piet Levy contributed to this survival kit.