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It’s that time of year again when the first drops of snow start to settle, and you’re getting out your heavier coats. The schools are closing earlier, and you’ve got to find more ways to entertain your little ones.
Don’t panic! We’ve come up with a few ideas for fun winter/snow activities for your kids that will occupy them for hours.
Winter/Snow activities:
- Sledding
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Ice skating
- Snowman building
- Snowball fights
- Scavenger hunts
- Christmas decorations
- Make your own snow
- Snow forts
Sledding
This one is a favorite of my family. It’s simple, cheap, and the kids love it! Wrap up warm and grab a tube or even a big enough saucer then find a hill with snow on and slide. Be prepared for hours of entertainment.
If you don’t have an old tube, use the ones you had for summer. They will work perfectly, and it’s a great way to recycle.
Make sure that the snow is easy to ride down with no bumps or obstacles. I prefer having it settle for a few days and then going out, but it’s up to you. If you’re sledding with toddlers, make sure that a parent goes with them to ensure their safety.
Skiing and Snowboarding
If you live near the mountains or areas where skiing and snowboarding are widely available, take your kids along too! Children can start as young as three, and it’s a great way to get all the family to learn together.
The best age to start is around five years old when they are more balanced and not as scared to pick themselves up again. The kids are able to go on the green trails, but they need an adult with them.
Lessons can help you all learn the ropes, and buying a helmet that is suited to your head is always wise.
Ice Skating
It’s slippery to start with, and you may feel like Bambi, but when you get the hang of it, you will be gliding around the ice in no time. Many towns will have ice rinks throughout winter for you to go with your children. Your little ones can also start lessons at four years old!
Not only will they be on the ice for a few hours, you can either participate with them or have a steaming cup of mulled wine.
Snowman Building
One of the easiest winter activities for kids that’s completely free! Building a snowman is a time-honored tradition that lets your children’s creative side come out.
Have them collect twigs, berries, and old clothing to start with so you have everything you need. Then you can all help with building your masterpiece! In my family, we build them and then put The Snowman movie on to make it that little bit more magical.
If you have younger children, you can get them to draw what they want their snowman to look like first and try to replicate it. It helps them be a part of it rather than feeling left out.
Snowball Fights
It’s cold and messy, but you’ll have great fun as a family, and a hot cocoa afterward will warm you up. You can help and supervise your children to make sure that it’s a fair game, and no one gets bullied. This is one of the best snow activities for kids and adults.
Why not get your whole street on board with the game and make it a massive snowball fight. You can even have it as adults vs. children to get them all working together.
To test the snow, make sure it’s able to pack into a small ball. If it can, let the battle commence!
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are great all year round and not just for summer! You can hide dyed ice blocks around your garden. If you don’t have snow, you can hide apples or use things in nature, such as pine cones.
Set some ground rules before playing the game to make it fair and equal for everyone. Draw or print a list of items that can be found. I usually tell them if they reach 12 items they win, but no cheating or stealing.
If you don’t want to do it outside, set up a hunt inside with a variety of winter-themed prizes. You can do it individually or in teams. This is a fun way to get your children up and about without them realizing they are exercising.
Christmas Decorations
You don’t have to be outside for the whole of winter, especially as it can get extremely cold. Instead, try making your own Christmas decorations for your house and Christmas tree.
Draw some designs out for your children for them to color and turn them into ornaments. You could also play with paints and clay to mix it up a bit. Have them make a few each and keep for the tree or give out as presents for your loved ones.
If you’re feeling super adventurous, keep some potato chip packets, clean them, and get your children to draw whatever design they like. When finished, you can put them in the oven for around 10 minutes and they will be the perfect size for keychain ornaments or cracker presents.
Make Your Own Snow
Some places are lucky and get snow throughout the winter; others do not. You can recreate snow in a variety of ways with your children to help them learn more about it.
You could simply make snowflake designs on paper and hang them around the house. Create DIY snow with baking soda and hair conditioner, or you could even blend ice cubes in a blender to create “real” snow. Have your children feel it and see what’s different.
Want to make enough to have in bowls for your children to make miniature snowmen? Mix baking soda with shaving cream and water to create snow. They can mold it and play for hours.
Snow Forts
One of the best memories of my childhood was making an igloo or snow fort with my family. We would spend all day carving out the correct places and build it up really high. Have everyone in the family help and make it big enough for you all to sit in it.
The big trick for this one is making sure the walls are really packed and secure. Have your kids fetch the snow and help build it up either side. If you can’t build a roof, grab a blanket from indoors.
Not a big fan of doing it outside? Make a pillow fort in your living room with blankets and pillows. Grab some snacks and watch a Christmas movie.
Baby, It’s Cold Outside
There are so many things you can do in winter with your little ones, whether it’s free or not. You can still spend time outdoors, even when the weather is cold. Try a few of them and see what they like the most.
Make sure whatever you do, you make it fun and inventive, not only for your kids but for you as well.
Take time and put effort into whatever you decide to do. The smiles on their faces while they do the activity is worth it in the end.