Snow fun for toddlers


(Easy) Outdoor winter activities for toddlers and kids ⋆ Take Them Outside

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It’s winter! Snow and cold and ice and the possibilities of new and different play! Below you’ll find a list of all sorts of outdoor winter activities for kids and toddlers that you can set up right in your own backyard.

How I miss the days that my littles would wake up to a freshly painted white world… oh, and the excitement in those eyes when they heard the snowplow coming down the road!

… they’d look out the window, see all those new possibilities and they’d suddenly not care about cartoons and cereal.  They just needed to get outside and try out their new Paw Patrol snow shovel, slide around in their sled, and eat some snow!

(Yes, let’s be honest, all kids eat snow.)

But, aside from shoveling, sliding, and eating snow, what other outdoor activities can you find for your toddlers to do?

 

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Toddlers and preschoolers have a natural curiosity and excitement about the outdoor world that just doesn’t compare to any other age group.  Often times we parents rush too quickly to make plans and create activities when really all they need is a little encouragement and confidence that their own play and explorations are great activities in and of themselves.

But, if you plan to spend hours outside, having a few snow activities for toddlers on hand will certainly help.

1. Snow Shoveling

Toddlers love to help out and they love to imitate.  So, if you are planning to make a wintertime toy purchase for your little one, I strongly suggest a kid-sized snow shovel!  And, if you happen to live somewhere where you get a lot of snow, there’s no harm is teaching them early;)

I recommend you get them an actual shovel that will slide and push the snow.   I’m pretty sure we picked ours up at the dollar store (they look like these but I know we didn’t pay that price!).

My toddler helping us shovel the driveway last winter

2. Go for a sled ride – one of the most fun winter activities!

Whether it’s just for fun or for practical purposes, having a good quality pull sled is very handy with young children.  You can pull them around the block, they can slide around in the backyard, or they can pull their own dollies for a ride!

Taking dolly out for a sled ride

Make it even more fun and find some hills to play on.  Remember, toddlers don’t need anything too big or scary and if you are going to go down some big hills with them, be safe and have them wear a helmet.

When my littles were really little, we had both a wooden baby sled and one of these plastic baby sleds.  Both worked well and supported our babies in a sitting position.  However, we would add more blankets and cushioning to the wooden sled.  Once they were a little older and sturdier we started using a plastic toboggan pull sled without a back support.  

I find the pull sleds are more stable and can manage rough snow and terrain better than the smaller baby sleds. Our baby sleds tipped more on rough and hilly trails where our basic pull sleds did not.

Unless you’re getting a hand-me-down, I’d probably suggest purchasing a pull sled and skip the baby sized sleds since they’re pricy and not as useful as kids get older.

3. Build a snowman

Really, this one shouldn’t even need to be mentioned, right?  But, don’t stop at snowmen.   Encourage your toddler’s creativity and maybe they’ll want to build a family of dinosaurs, a castle, a baby turtle, or a sculpture of their own family!  Make it even more exciting by letting your toddler choose some clothing and natural treasures to decorate their snow creations.

4. Paint the snow

This one takes a tiny bit of preparation, but it’s still pretty quick and easy.  The main idea is to fill a watering can, spray bottle, or even a pop bottle (with a hole poked into the lid) with colored water.  

Tip: The slower the water empties from the container, the longer the activity will last!

I used an empty soy sauce jar for this activity and the rate of water flow was perfect… not to slow, but not the whole bottle at once.

I just add a drop or two of food coloring to the water to make sure that the kids’ clothing don’t also get colored in the process.  If you want the colors to show up stronger on the snow, add more food coloring to your water.

outside, painting the snow with blue-colored water

I would think water guns would work too… as long as it weren’t so cold that they’d freeze right up.

You could also let the kids bring out their water paint tray or tempera paint cakes to paint on the snow. I see this working really well when the snow has a hard crust on top that would act as a giant canvas for your kids

5. Paint with snow

This one works really well if you have a brick house or a wooden fence.  You can even do it on big tree trunks too.   Basically, with handfuls of snow, show your little one how to make designs.  The texture of the brick, wood, or bark will grip the snow.  If the snow is wet enough, you can even throw snowballs at the wall and fence to make a picture out of thrown snow balls.

For older kids you could make a bullseye or target game for them to throw the snowballs at.

I also have memories of pulling off my soggy mittens and scarves and sticking them onto the brick walls too! … not sure if you want to encourage that or not!

6. Build a fort

If you grew up in snow I’m sure you’ve built a fort or two.  Remember, toddlers aren’t very big, so this doesn’t have to be an over-involved process.  Just a small snow wall will be very exciting to hide behind and climb over for them.  I’m pretty sure all the forts I ever made were done with my hands and feet.  I also have fond memories of my dad digging one out of a snow drift for me once.

You can purchase fancy snow brick molds, but ice cream containers, sand pails, and buckets work too, and it’s always better to reuse (in my opinion).

7. Build a maze

This one will need a little more adult time.  In a large area of fresh snow use a shovel (or your feet) to cut paths in the yard.  Make a maze for your toddler to find their way through.  Then, show them how to make their own maze to challenge you.

You can challenge older kids to write out their name or designs.

8. Make an obstacle course

These are fun any time of the year, but in the winter, there’s the element of snow!  Read more at PaperHeartFamily to see the snowy obstacle course they made for their kids and get some fun ideas for your own backyard course.

An obstacle course from PaperHeartFamily

My girls still make obstacles courses for themselves in the backyard. Over the years these have become increasingly difficult. There’s even one set up right now in the snow… and I see they’ve pulled all the lawn furniture out onto the lawn to climb over and under too.

9. Watch some snow clearing

Yep, this one is simple, but wow, if you happen to have a little one that loves anything with wheels, then this is definitely going to be a hit!

We are lucky to live in an area that grades and picks up the snow on the roads.   My little guy would get so excited when that familiar beeping and grating sound came around!  He’d spend a whole hour just standing on the couch watching the grader, loader, and dump trucks do their thing (while giving me a running commentary the whole time).  If I really wanted to treat him, we’d get all bundled up and head outside to watch safely from the porch!  …and if they honked or waved, well, his day was made!

10. Go on a track hunt

Little kids will love to walk through the snow, play with their own footprints and follow other prints.  Pretend to be spies and head to the park or around the block and see how many different tracks you can find, follow them, and see where they lead you both.

11. Play at the park

The park is an entirely different place when it’s covered in snow!

Just be careful that metal structures can be unexpectedly slippery when covered in frost.

12. Be a winter wildlife detective

Head to a natural area and see how the animals are managing in the snow.   Make a little winter-time scavenger hunt before you head out, or just pretend to be nature detectives and look, listen, and feel with curiosity.  What are the animals doing and saying?  Have they left any evidence in the snow?  Whose tracks are whose?

13. Have a tea party or a picnic

If your little one is into pretend tea parties, then go have one outside.  Get all bundled up, bring out the cups, a blanket, and a few dollies… then enjoy a nice little tea party in the snow.  You could probably also whip up some snowy pies and cakes for the celebration too!

For an extra treat, fill the “tea” thermos with hot chocolate instead!

14. Freeze stuff

This is a two-part activity that needs a little preparation on your part.

First, one day, you’ll fill a container with natural treasures (leaves, berries, pine cones) and add a few inches of water.  Then, leave this outside to freeze overnight.

On the second day, go see what happened, take the frozen disks out of the contains and hang them in the trees as decorations.

You can get the full instructions on making wintertime ice ornaments here.

15. Haul out the toys

Sandbox toys are just as fun in the snow!  Fill the dump truck and use the sand shovels to build a snow city complete with roads, tunnels, apartment buildings, and even snow bridges!

Or, instead of sand toys, try some kitchen tools like cookie cutters, scoops, and rolling pins.


Really, finding an outdoor winter activity for toddlers and you to do together should be easy.  Just remember to dress well so you’ll both stay warm, be enthusiastic, and let them guide your snow play.

…and if you tire them out, it’s totally okay for nap time to happen outdoors too!

What should you do now?

  • If you’re excited to learn more, get tips, and activity ideas for more outdoor family adventures then join the Take Them Outside Newsletter (you’ll also get access to the entire private outdoor printables library).

Other outdoor activity posts you’ll want to read:
  • Beautiful and easy nature-filled wintertime ice ornaments
  • How to stay warm when playing in the snow
  • Must-read tips for safe and fun skating on frozen outdoor lakes

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40+ Snow Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

by happytoddlerplaytime

INSIDE: Looking for fun and creative indoor or outdoor snow activities for toddlers and preschoolers? Here are a great list fun and easy ways to make snowy days indoors or outdoors even more enjoyable for your kids.

I love winters mostly for the snow. I am not a huge fan of the cold. This Christmas the theme of my gifts were ways to keep mommy warm while she skiis! But snow, I do love. So when we get a big dump of it outside, like we did this year (one good things in 2020!), I love taking the kids out to play in it of course but I also love bringing snow inside!

Outdoor Snow Activities

There are tons of things you can do with snow outdoors. Sledding, build a snowman or a snow fort to name a few. But this list is all about the ideas you probably would never think of to do with your kids. Things such as building a bird feeders or making snow volcanoes or making frozen snow bubbles! This list is sure to keep your little one learning and playing in the snow all winter long!

Indoor Snow Activities

Have you ever brought snow inside your house to play with? It’s a lot easier than you think and tons of fun! All you need is a sensory bin (see below) and a few towels. And once armed with this list you will have tons of super easy ways to keep your toddler or preschooler entertained in doors during snowy or blustery days when going outside to play in the snow isn’t possible.

Looking for more Fun Winter Activities? Check out these fun ideas:

  • 50+ Winter Activities for Kids
  • Amazing Winter Sticky Wall Activities
  • 20+ Snowflake Crafts & Activities

Indoor Snow Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

  1. Snow Puzzle – Happy Toddler Playtime
  2. Paint the Snow – Busy Toddler
  3. Snow Kitchen – Happy Toddler Playtime
  4. How to Make Snow Paint – Crafty Morning
  5. Snow Dinosaurs – Happy Toddler Playtime
  6. Indoor and Edible Snowman – Toddler Approved
  7. Cookie Cutters and Snow – Happy Toddler Playtime
  8. Car and Ramps in Snow – Inspiration Laboratories
  9. Indoor Snow Play with Cars – What We Do All Day
  10. Painting On Snow – Mama.Papa.Bubba
  11. Snow Counting Preschooler Activity – Happy Toddler Playtime
  12. Snowball Faces – Fantastic Fun and Learning
  13. Snow Art – Happy Toddler Playtime
  14. Paint Made with Snow – Messy Little Monsters
  15. Snow Marble Run – Happy Toddler Playtime
  16. Colour Mixing in Snow – Views from the Step Stool
  17. Snow Letter Hunt – No Time for Flashcards
  18. Snow Sensory Bin – Happy Hooligans
  19. Melting Snow Experiment – Fun Learning For Kids
  20. Snow Science Explorations for Kids – Inspiration Laboratories

Outdoor Snow Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers

  1. The Best Winter Backyard Obstacle Course – Happy Toddler Playtime
  2. Playing with Sticks and Stones in the Snow – Happy Hooligans
  3. Snow Volcanoes – Science Sparks
  4. Glow Sticks in Snow – Simple Fun for Kids
  5. How to Make a Snow Bird Feeder – Fire Flies and Mud Pies
  6. Flavoured Snow Ice Cream – Play Ground Park Bench
  7. How to Make Frozen Bubbles – Fire Flies and Mud Pies
  8. Creating Colorful Icicles – Housing a Forest
  9. Potato Heads in Snow – Happy Hooligans
  10. Freeze Colored Water for Kids to Hunt in the Snow – Life with Moore Babies
  11. Spray Painting Snow – Simple Fun for Kids
  12. Exploring Animal Tracks in the Snow – Kcedventures
  13. “Diamond Dig” – A Snowy Sensory Bin – Happy Hooligans
  14. Letter Snowball Toss – How We Learn
  15. Snow Maze – Life With Moore Babies
  16. Winter Picnic with Kids, Fun Backyard Decorating Ideas – Lush On Me
  17. Exciting Winter Weather Math Games – Green Kids Crafts
  18. Make A Snow Road – How Wee Learn
  19. Make snow tracks.
  20. Draw shapes in the snow and toss snowballs as old in them.
  21. Play tic-tac-toe.
  22. Host Winter Olympics.

Supplies

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  • Sensory Bin or Sensory Table

WILL YOU TRY SNOW ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER THIS WINTER? PIN IT FOR LATER!

Activities, Age, Colors, Fine Motor Skills, Holidays, Kindergartner, Learning, Preschooler, Quick & Easy, Season, Sensory Bins, Toddler, WinterINDOOR ACTIVITIES, preschooler activity, snow, snow days, toddler activity, winter, winter activities, winter sensory binshappytoddlerplaytime

Folk games and outdoor fun with children in winter

Everyone is looking forward to the coming of winter - kids, teenagers and adults. Pure white snow brings great variety to children's entertainment. Skating, skiing and sledding are only a small part of the winter program. A large number of interesting games and activities allows you to expand the leisure of children during walks.

Sculpting and building with snow

Both kids and adults get special pleasure when the snow is well molded.

A lot of winter fun is associated with the opportunity to feel like a builder, sculptor, artist or marksman:

  • Making and decorating snow sculptures

Not only children, but also adults enjoy rolling snowballs and sculpting various figures - from a classic snowman to Santa Claus with a Snow Maiden or various animals. The soft, pliable snow helps children bring their creative ideas to life, developing the child's imagination.

If children are given watercolors or gouache paints, they will be very enthusiastic about coloring the molded figurines.

  • Building a slide

Building a slide in the company of peers under the guidance and assistance of adults is a great pleasure for children. After all, when it freezes a little, they can enjoy the fruits of their labor.

  • Painting with snow

If there is a big tree, a wall of a house or a porch near the playground, placing snowballs in a certain order on the surface can create a beautiful winter landscape.

The picture will be even more attractive if it is revived with multi-colored paints.

  • Snow battles

Snowball fights have long been considered a fun and exciting winter activity. If you first build fortresses and split into 2 armies, you can arrange real snow battles. Those players who were hit by a snowball 1 time are considered injured. If someone is hit twice, the player is considered dead and is out of the game. The task of the players is not only to hit the opponent.

It is important to dodge the enemy's flying snowballs in order to keep firing at the enemy for as long as possible.

  • Target game

Make a target on the court from various materials at hand (make a small pole, hang any object on a tree, or make a circle on the wall). Now you can arrange competitions for accuracy by throwing snowballs at the selected target. All participants make the same number of snowballs, the most accurate of them wins.

  • Which one is bigger

Children get up two by two and, on command, start rolling snowballs. Adults mark the time, for example, 5 minutes, after which they choose the largest lump and name the winners.

Outdoor winter games of skill and skill

Most of the winter fun, games and entertainment came to us from our ancestors. Frosty weather does not allow you to stand in one place for a long time, so many games consist of continuous movement.

  • Salki

Children who stand confidently on skates play tag with enthusiasm on the ice rink. First, a driver is chosen who catches up with the players driving around the rink. The one who was caught up first becomes the new driver.

  • Looking for treasure

It is good to play the game on a playground with large snowdrifts along the edges. There are 2 teams of players and two leaders. The players are asked to turn away, and the presenters watch how one of the children or adults not participating in the game hides a treasure in two snowdrifts. After the objects denoting the treasure are securely buried in the snow, the command is given to start the search.

The leader of the group can only give hints to players by indicating the direction of the search - to the left, to the right or above. The first team to unearth the treasure wins.

  • Russian folk fun "Ldinka"

A circle with a diameter of about 5 meters is drawn on well-trodden snow. A small depression is made in its center, where 10-12 pieces of ice are placed. A leader is chosen, who stands inside a large circle, and the rest of the players are evenly distributed outside the diameter. Their goal is to knock out all the ice floes beyond the border of the large circle, while they can go inside the diameter.

The driver's task is to interfere with the players and knock down one of them in order to put him in his place. The game ends when all the pieces of ice are knocked out and taken out of the circle.

  • King of the Hill

To play, you need to build a slide up to 2 m high (depending on the age of the players) or use a large snowdrift. It will be more interesting to play if the slide is covered with an ice crust. One of the players climbs to the top of the mountain, and the rest of the participants try to push the "king" from his throne. The player who succeeds becomes the new king, taking a place on the hill.

Adults can keep track of which of the children will last longer than others on the summit.

  • Two Santa Claus

To participate in the competition, 2 teams are recruited, each of which will have the same number of players. Each team chooses Santa Claus with a counting rhyme. Players stand on opposite sides of the court. The distance between opponents is 10-12 meters from each other. After the team, one player from each team runs towards each other to switch places. The task of the "grandfathers" is to hit the player of his team with a snowball in order to stop him and freeze him. As soon as the player reaches the goal or, hit by a snowball, freezes in place, the next player starts the movement.

  1. The winner is Santa Claus who hit the most players.
  2. The loser Santa Claus is replaced by another member of the team, and the game continues again.

Fascinating winter competitions on sleds

Ordinary sleds, which were used in childhood by our ancestors, are used not only for skiing from the mountain, but also for various competitions.

  • Who is faster

Having chosen a flat area, draw 2 lines at some distance from each other, which indicate the start and finish. Players team up in pairs and sit on the sled with their backs to each other. The goal of the competing pairs is to be the first to reach the finish line, pushing off at the same time, only with their feet.

The first pair to cross the finish line wins.

  • Who is stronger

Participants from 2 different teams sit on the same sled with their backs to each other. The finish line is drawn and the command "Start" is given. The one who sits on the sled facing the finish line, using only his legs, should try to reach the cherished line. An opponent sitting with his back on the same sled impedes movement. A certain amount of time is allotted for the competition (3-5 minutes) . If during this time the person sitting in front has not crossed the finish line, his team is considered the loser.

  • Who will pull whom

Two sleds are placed opposite each other at a distance of 3-4 meters. A boundary is drawn between them at an equal distance. Competitors sit in a sled, holding a rope from the opponent's sled in their hands. Their task is to pull the opponent to their side so that the sled crosses the designated border.

Players' feet must not touch the ground during the match.

  • Relay

Players are divided into several teams. At a distance of 10–20 meters, 2 lines are drawn. At one of them, all the teams line up in columns. One player from each of them sits on a sled, the second carries him to the border, turns around and comes back. The next player gets into the sled, and the participant who was sitting in them before becomes the carrier.

The team that transports all the players faster than the others wins.

Winter fun for the little ones

  • Making an angel

Little children love to roll in the snow. Show your baby how to make an angel or a bird on the snow cover. To do this, the baby should lie on his back in clean, not trampled snow, spread his arms and legs to the side. Gradually moving your hands up to the head and down to the body, leave prints in the snow. The same must be done with the legs, just do not spread them too wide. After that, you need to help the baby get up, leaving as few marks as possible next to the print. The contour obtained in the snow will be very similar to a little angel.

  • Playing tracker

Going for a walk with your baby in the forest or park, offer him an exciting and educational game. On clean, untouched snow, there are traces of large and small birds, squirrels or dogs. Let the kid try to guess whose footprints you found. Invite the baby to climb on a clean snowball and leave a pattern of their footprints on it. This will be his message to the inhabitants of the forest or park.

  • Treading paths

Show your child how to make paths in the snow by putting your feet in different positions - herringbone, across the road or make a path that looks like a ski track. Let the baby try to follow strictly in your footsteps. For his little feet, this will be a rather difficult task.

Winter is a great time for skiing, sledding or skating . And how much fun the baby will get, floundering in the freshly fallen snow-white snow, laying a labyrinth, digging a shelter in a snowdrift or sliding down a huge slide in the park with mom or dad. In addition to the games described above, you can come up with many more interesting entertainment.

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Winter games and fun for children of preschool and primary school age

Probably, each of us keeps warm memories of winter in our hearts from childhood. Mom took out a fur coat and boots from the mezzanine, dad sealed the windows, grandmother cooked cocoa, which seemed sweeter than usual in winter - everyday affairs acquired some kind of fabulous shade. And everyone, with trepidation in their souls, was waiting for the first snow, so that, wrapped up warmer, they could run out into the yard.

In the same way, our children today are waiting for the winter to come, and we, already parents, must help our children experience all the joys of this wonderful season and diversify their leisure time with active outdoor games.

No winter is complete without a classic snowman. This folk fun passes from generation to generation and still remains a favorite pastime for all children in the winter.

It would seem that it could be simpler - a big snowball, a smaller one on it, then even less, and so on. But there are no restrictions here, which means you can get creative, let your imagination fly!

Dating game

This game is perfect for kids on the playground. Children become in a circle. The leader (one of the parents) is the first to say his name. The next player says the leader's name and his own name. The third calls the two previous names and his own, and so on in a circle.

The most difficult thing, of course, is the last player who has to remember and name the names of all the players standing in front of him. The task is difficult, but quite feasible.

In this game, it is worth paying attention to the fact that sometimes children simply try to remember the names and their order, forgetting the person himself. Try to focus primarily on the characteristic features of a particular player, for example: “Masha in a red cap”, “Cheerful and smiling Vanya”. The game can be diversified, thereby simplifying memorization. Imagine that the participants of the game are going to a desert island.

Each player must not only give his name, but also indicate what exactly he will do there. For example: “Yulia will cook food”, “Andrey will chop wood”, etc.

Javelin Throw

For the game you will need a large snowdrift, several sticks of approximately the same length.

It is necessary to win several competitions: throw your “spear” the farthest, plunge it into the snowdrift as deep as possible, and the most accurate ones must hit the “spear” into the hole that the previous “spear” made.

Mind me!

One leader is chosen for the game, the rest of the players must stand in a circle. The driver slowly walks around the circle from the outside. Having chosen one of the players, he pats him on the back and starts running around the circle in a clockwise direction. The chosen player must run in the opposite direction, that is, counterclockwise. The task of the runners is to take a free place in the circle faster than the enemy and secure their right to it with the phrase “Chur, mine!”.

Snowman target

You will need a snowman to play this game. After the children make a figure out of the snow, a plastic bucket is put on the snowman's head - it will serve as a target.

The players are divided into two teams. Each team member is given three attempts to knock the bucket off the snowman's head. If the player knocks down the target on the first attempt, he gets 30 points, on the second - 20, on the third, respectively, 10.

At the end of the game, the number of points is added up. The team that earns more points wins the game.

Skiing

This game requires four cardboard sheets large enough to fit a child's foot.

Children are divided into two teams and line up in columns one after another. Two sheets are placed in front of each team.

Task: you need to stand with your feet on the cardboard and walk in this way to the finish point and back. The task must be completed by all team members in turn. You can’t take your legs off the “skis” and step on the ground. The team that does it faster wins.

Who is on the mountain?

For the game you will need a large snowball, from which a kind of slide is constructed. Around this slide, holding hands, children stand up. At the command of the leader (one of the adults), the children must pull each other up the hill. The task of each player is to resist the actions of his comrades and not fall down the hill. Those players who fail to do so are out of the game. The number of participants decreases until the remaining players can join hands around the slide.

Dodgeballs

Teams of participants line up in two lines opposite each other at a distance of 8-10 meters. The interval between the players in the line should be 3-4 steps. The host gives the signal: "First!". The first members of both teams should respond: "Me!". Then, at the signal of the leader “Pli!”, These participants must make a snowball and throw it at each other. The one who is hit by a snowball is out. You can only dodge the projectile by crouching or bending down. Taking a step to the side is prohibited. Anyone who breaks the rules is out of the game. The facilitator must signal quickly so that the game does not slow down. A participant in the game has the right to aim a snowball at any player from the opposing team if his next opponent has already left. The team that completely took the opponents out of the battle wins.

After the fight

Players are divided into two teams: “shooters” and “targets”. The team of "targets" line up in two equal lines opposite each other at a distance of approximately 10 meters.

The shooting team is built in the same way and is located perpendicular to the opposing team. Thus, the ranks should form a square outlining the "battlefield".

On a signal from the leader, a player from the "target" team runs across the battlefield to the opposite line, and from there another participant runs towards them. At this time, the “arrows”, without leaving the spot, must hit the opponents running across the field.

The task of the "shooters" is to hit as many "targets" as possible, and those, in turn, must dodge the snowballs. After the game, the teams can switch places and continue the fun.

Shopping

The game requires two teams, some apples and snowballs. There should be significantly fewer apples than snowballs. Mix apples and snowballs and place them in one pile at the finish point. This is a "shop". The players of each team take turns running to the “shop”, taking the “purchase” and returning to the team. As a "purchase" you can take either one apple or two snowballs. The game ends when all the participants have visited the “shop”. The team with the most apples wins.

You can then ask the teams to exchange their "purchases" so that no one leaves offended.

Leapfrog

One of the players chosen by the host squats.

The task of the other participants is to jump over it. During the game, the leader gradually straightens up, and it becomes more difficult for the participants to jump over the obstacle. The one who made a mistake in the jump is out of the game. The winner is the player who was able to overcome the highest height.

Knock the puck

You will need a puck or a small block of wood to play. The leader is selected, he will knock out the puck. The rest of the players stand in a circle.

The task of the host is to knock the puck out of the circle, the task of the players is to prevent him from doing this. The one who misses the puck to his right, becomes inside the circle in the place of the leader.

Fight in a circle

For the game you will need an ordinary gymnastic circle. Inside the circle are two participants. Each of them presses one leg and puts his hands behind his back.

The participant's task is to push the opponent out of the circle by jumping on one leg. Hands are not allowed. If there are many who want to participate, you can play in turn.

Little Rider

This game is perfect for a group of children of different ages. Older children with the help of this fun can easily entertain the kids. The essence of the game is as follows: an older child puts the baby on his back and runs towards the finish line.

At the finish point, the “rider” dismounts and the “horse” goes back for the next rider. Adults can also act as "noble horses".

Snow gallery

This is a simple task of imagination: you need to put any figure or object on the snow, for example, an apple, a house, etc. To do this, you can use any materials at hand: cones, branches, stones.

Shapes can be created in teams or individually. Be sure to pay attention to each work and encourage the participants in the game.

On a broomstick

Two brooms are required to play (you can use brooms). Before each team, you need to create a number of obstacles: the starting point (starting position for teams), the middle point (after 3-4 meters), the finish point.

Between the middle point and the finish point, 5-7 pins are placed at a short distance from each other. The broom is at the middle point.

The first member of the team runs to the broom, then rides it to the finish line, and back to the middle point, being careful not to hit the pins. Standing at the middle point, the player must throw the broom to the next team member and step aside. The game continues until all participants meet the conditions. The team that completes the task faster wins.

Snowballs

You will need two small sticks and two snowballs to play. In order for the snowballs not to merge with each other, they can be tinted with a spray gun or watercolor. Each team has its own color. The task of the players is to use a stick to roll a snowball to the finish point and back.

After that, the stick is passed to the next participant, and so on. The team that completes the task faster wins.

North wind, south wind

Two leaders are chosen for the game. One is called the "north wind", the other - the "south wind".

The rest of the players scatter across the court. The "Northern Wind" should catch the participants in the game and "freeze" them.

Players caught must stop. The task of the “south wind” is to “unfreeze” the players by touching them with your hand and saying “Free!”. The "north wind" can also catch and freeze the "south wind". In order to diversify the game, participants can change roles.

Bucket runs

The players are divided into two teams. To play, you need two plastic buckets. Teams line up at the start in parallel columns. At the finish line, you need to build a large snowdrift. At the signal of the leader, the first players begin to move to the finish line, there they collect snow in buckets (without ramming it) and return to the team. After that, the players pour the snow out of the bucket and pass it to the next participant. The snow that the players bring must be poured into one snowdrift.

The first member to return to his team earns a point. After all participants have completed the task, the host compares the size of the snowdrift of each of the teams. The team with the larger snowdrift receives an additional five points. All points are added up and the winner is declared.

Tripod

Players pair up and line up on the starting line. At the finish, you need to place a pin or flag, separate for each pair. The right foot of one player is tied to the left foot of the other. The task of the couple is to run “on three legs” to the finish point and back. Those who complete the task faster win.

Titmouse and bullfinches

This is one of the variants of the game of tag. Children are divided into two teams: one team is “titmouse”, the other is “bullfinches”. You can choose other names, the main thing is that it is convenient to pronounce them.

The leader calls one of the teams, and it must catch the members of the other team.

For example, first "tits" catch "bullfinches", then vice versa.

12 sticks

To play, you will need a wooden board, stone or piece of wood and 12 small sticks. The plank must be placed on a bar, so that one end of it is raised, and the other lies on the ground. On the side that lies on the ground, put 12 sticks.

The host abruptly steps on the free edge of the board, after which all the sticks fly apart. While the leader collects the sticks, the players scatter and hide.

After the leader has collected all the sticks and put them back on the edge of the board, he must start looking for players. Having found one of them, he must call the player by name. If the name is correct, the player comes out of hiding. If not, the player remains in place until the host guesses his name.

At this time, one of the participants can run out of cover, run up to the board and kick it with the words: “12 sticks are flying!”. In this case, the leader must return and collect them, and everyone he has already found can hide again. The facilitator must find all the players, after which another participant is selected as the facilitator.

Fisherman and fish

Another game that will appeal to active fidgets. For the game you need a jump rope. Participants are located in a circle, the diameter of which should be equal to the length of the rope.

The leader is chosen - "fisherman", who stands in the center of this circle with a rope in his hands. The "fisherman" rotates the rope so that it slides along the ground and describes circles under the players' feet.

The “fish” participants must jump over the rope in order not to be caught.

"Hooked" "fish" becomes the new "fisherman". The facilitator can make the game more difficult by raising the rope and making the players jump higher.

Winter games with children indoors

When it's too cold outside. Things to do at home

There are winter days when walking is not the best pastime, and then you and your baby stay at home.

Of course, there are cartoons that every child enjoys watching. But little fidgets, accustomed to active pursuits, are unlikely to agree to sit in front of the TV all day. Such leisure needs to be diluted with something. That's just what exactly?

Jumping on an ice slide

Such fun will surely not leave your little one indifferent. To play, you will need a lot of pillows and blankets, from which an "ice slide" will be built. For greater credibility, cover the structure with a white sheet. Jumping on such a slide is a pleasure, especially if a “magic spell” is cast on your active child, which will turn him into a snow bear or leopard. An ordinary ironing board can also serve as a material for building a slide. One end is placed on the sofa, the other on the floor.

For greater safety of the child, it is better to hold the end of the board that rests on the floor. Of course, you shouldn’t jump on such a hill, but walking around or rolling toys on it is easy.

Snow hut

Probably, each of us in childhood built a hut or hut at home: chairs were gathered in the middle of the room, covered with a blanket or blanket. Then the most mysterious conspiracies took place in such structures and terrible secrets were revealed. Invite your child to build such a hut, and best of all, join the process.

After that, you can play in the hut or have a puppet tea party.

Mitten - girlfriend

After active games, it's time to do something more relaxed. For example, handicraft.

Surely, your baby periodically loses one glove or mitten, leaving the other alone. This orphan can be given a new life if you make a toy out of her.

Sew buttons instead of eyes to a mitten, decorate with embroidery or beads - and your child will find a new friend, and if you decorate a glove, making a little man out of each finger, your child will have as many as 5 friends who will never let him get bored. Be sure to include your child in this process.

Snow cakes

If your child looks longingly at the white street, arrange a snow party for him at home. Do not be too lazy to go to the yard and bring a small bucket of snow. Put on gloves and make snow cakes together, decorating them with paints. Then place your crafts on a tray and freeze in the freezer. After a while, when the baby forgets about them, the freezer can be emptied.

Snowflakes on windows

If winter does not indulge in snow, it is very easy to create it artificially by decorating windows with snowflakes. You can stick snowflakes cut out of paper on the window, or draw them with toothpaste directly on the glass. To do this, you will need a stencil, a glass of water and an old toothbrush. Make a stencil out of paper or thick cardboard and tape it to the glass. Then wet the brush, dip it in toothpowder or paste, and run your finger over it until it splatters on the glass.

White watercolor or gouache paint can be used to create these snowflakes, but the paste lays on the glass more evenly and is much easier to wash off.

Dough snowmen

All you need is salt dough, brushes and paints. First, make the material for the craft. To do this, you will need fine salt, wheat flour, vegetable oil and water. The recipe is very simple: mix a glass of salt and a glass of flour, pour a tablespoon of vegetable oil and half a glass of water into the resulting mixture. Knead the dough until a homogeneous mass. In order for the dough to be more plastic, replace the water with jelly from starch.

From the resulting material, you can sculpt not only snowmen, but also other crafts. After the figure is molded, paint it with paints with the baby.

http://ped-kopilka.ru

10 more winter games that you can play at home

Play "contracts" with your child

- There is a cheerful round dance in the forest near the Christmas tree on New Year's Eve
Sitting tight at the bitch, the rooster cries:
Ku-ka-re-ku.
- And every time in response to him, a cow lows:
Moo, moo, moo.
-I wanted to say “bravo” to the singers, but only the cat came out:
Meow.
- I can't make out the words, the frogs say:
Kwa-kva-kva.
-And the bullfinch whispers something funny pig:
Oink-oink-oink.
-And smiling to himself, the goat sang:
Me-me-me.
-Who the hell is that? The cuckoo called out:
Cuckoo.

“It's snowing outside” (based on a poem by E. Blaginina)

Children must guess how each quatrain ends.
It's snowing outside,
The holiday is coming soon...
- New Year!
The needles are softly glowing,
The coniferous spirit is coming...
-From the Christmas tree!
The branches are faintly rustling,
Beads are bright..
- Shine!
And the toys are swinging -
Flags, stars...
- Flappers!
Threads of colorful tinsel,
Bells…
- Balloons!
Fragile figurines of fish,
Birds, skiers…
- Snow Maidens!
White-beard and red-nosed
Under the branches of Grandfather . ..
- Frost!
And, decorating the top,
It shines there, as always,
Very bright, big,
Five-winged…
- Star!
Well, the Christmas tree, just marvelous!
How elegant, how...
-Beautiful!
Here are the lights lit on it,
Hundreds of tiny...
- Lights!
The doors are wide open, as if in a fairy tale,
The round dance rushes in ...
- Dance!
And over this round dance
Talk, songs, ringing laughter...
Congratulations on...
- Happy New Year!
With new happiness at once...
- Everyone!

Play a game of reading

Write "YES" and the word "NO" on slips of paper. Ask the child a variety of questions, and the child shows you the right cards.
- Is this toy hanging on top of the Christmas tree?
- Glass toy?
- Is it big?
- Is it red?
- Silver toy?

Find the Gift Game

Wrap a small present in foil and hide it. If your child can read, write landmarks on a piece of paper.
For example: under the table; on the windowsill behind a flower; in the bedroom under my mother's pillow, etc.
If the child is unable to read, also provide a reference point in words.
For example: in the hall near the teddy bear on the right; or in your room between a closet and a big typewriter.

Catch the Gift Game

Place small gifts (toys) in the Kinder Surprise Egg and hang them on a string. Give the child scissors and blindfold him. Gently lead the child to the hanging surprises, and let the child cut them off, thereby choosing a gift for himself.
Another version of the game (found on the Internet). You can play this version of the game when guests come to you. Big and small. Prepare surprises for everyone and wrap them in beautiful paper. Make a fishing rod. Tie a rope or belt to any stick. Cover the doorway with a blanket. An assistant will sit behind the blanket and tie gifts to the fishing rod. Guests take turns throwing a fishing rod and pulling it out with gifts. Don't forget about the obligatory attribute of fishing - a boot or an empty bottle. Whoever pulls out these "surprises" casts the bait again.

Paper snowball game

Take newspapers and crumple them. If the newspaper is very large, then tear off pieces from them and crush them into lumps, the size of a fist.
Paper snowballs can be divided into 2 equal parts.
Objective of the game: Throw as many snowballs at the enemy as possible.
The players with the fewest snowballs on their half win.

Blow the snowflake game

Cut out snowflakes from paper. Put it in the middle of the table, and let the children stand at the edges of the table. So, who will blow their snowflake off the opposite side of the table faster?

Cotton wool snow game

Put a piece of cotton on your palm and let the child blow. You can also arrange a competition: who will blow snow out of cotton wool the farthest.
Cotton wool can also be placed in the middle of the table and blown on to play football

Footprints Game

Cut (or draw) silhouettes of animal and bird tracks from paper. Prepare cards with pictures of animals and birds.
Spread the footprints on the floor.
The child's task is to guess which of the animals and birds leaves traces that are cut or drawn on paper.

Snowball game

What needs to be prepared?
— Cotton wool, foil, basket
How to play?
Take a piece of cotton and wrap it in foil.
So that you get a ball (lump). Take more cotton wool, because. The “lump” must be made such that it fits in the baby’s palm, but at the same time the baby could not swallow it.
Prepare a basket and show your child how to throw this ball into the basket. In this game, your baby develops coordination, accuracy, manual dexterity. You, in turn, teach the baby to squeeze and unclench the fist
If you have older children, then among them you can arrange a competition:
- who will throw the ball further;
- who will throw the lumps into the basket the most;
- who will throw 5 lumps into the general basket the fastest, etc. etc.

Snowman's Nose game

A snowman without a nose is drawn on a large sheet of paper and hung on the wall. Blind the nose from plasticine.
Blindfold the children and give them a plasticine carrot nose. The child must attach the nose to the snowman.

Magic bag game

Santa's bag is filled with as many toys as possible. Each child puts his hand in there, determines by touch what he caught there, and describes in detail. After everyone has got a toy out of the bag, you can announce that these are New Year's gifts (this, of course, is not improvisation, you took care of the gifts in advance).

Remember that every game should bring joy to the child! Play with the kids yourself, be closer to them, take part in their game, they will appreciate it, it will become even more interesting for them, and this holiday will never be forgotten!

baby.ru

Winter fun: 17 active games and other outdoor activities

1.

Making a snowman and other figures Photo: AllaSerebrina / Depositphotos

If loose and sticky snow has fallen, then it's time to make a snowman! You can not limit yourself to a standard snowman with a bucket on your head, but show your imagination and make something unusual. Watercolors or gouache, old clothes and any other props that come to mind will help you with this.

Show your imagination ☃️

  • 20 snow figures that are easy to make by yourself and with children

Also, making a snowman can be turned into a fun game: who will roll up the biggest ball in a limited time. To do this, you need to divide into teams (it is better that there are no more than two participants in each), note the time (5 or 10 minutes) and give a signal to start the competition. After the time runs out, the participants determine the largest ball, and those who blinded it become the winners. The resulting snow globe can be made the basis for a common large snowman.

Photo: FamVeld / Shutterstock

2.

Building a slide

You can build an ice slide on your own property or even in the city yard. It is not difficult to make it: heat the snow, tamp it down, fill it with water and wait until it freezes. Children will be happy, especially if you involve them in the process.

3. "King of the Hill"

For this game you need to find a high snowdrift of dense snow or throw a snowy "mountain" yourself. Its height depends on the age of the players.

One of the players rises to the top and becomes its "king". He must prevent the rest from taking the "throne", because the goal of each other participant is to become the king of the hill himself. Since during the game the participants will often fall, it is necessary to take care of safety: make sure that there is a layer of soft snow under the “mountain”, and there are no fences, trees, corners of buildings and cars nearby that you can hit or get hurt.

4. "Icicles"

For this game, a circle with a diameter of about 5 meters is drawn on the snow with a small depression in the center. 10-12 pieces of ice are placed in it. It does not have to be just pieces of ice: you can use small pieces of wood, cardboard, and so on.

Players choose a driver who stands in the center of the circle. The rest of the participants are distributed outside of it. Their task is to pull (or knock out) all the ice pieces outside the playing area. Players can enter the circle, and the driver can only be inside it. If the driver touches one of the participants, the "singed" takes his place. The game ends when all the pieces of ice have left the playing area.

5. Snowball fights and building snow forts

Photo: YanLev / Shutterstock

Both adults and children love to play snowballs, as it is a great opportunity to actively spend time with friends or family. The construction of snow fortresses will help to diversify the process. In this case, the snowballs will turn into a full-fledged snow battle. You can introduce a rule: the one who is hit by a snowball is out of the game.

6. “Who is on the mountain?”

For this fun, a big snowball is molded, which will play the role of a mountain. Participants stand around him, holding hands. On command, each of them must pull the neighbors to the "mountain" and try not to fall on it himself. Those who still touched the “mountain” are eliminated.

7. Dodgeball

To play this game, the participants stand in two lines opposite each other. There should be 3-4 steps between players, and 12-15 steps between lines. A leader is also selected who will give commands. He must either know the participants by name, or distribute them by numbers (the same for both teams). The host calls the names or numbers of the participants, and after they have responded, commands: “Pli!” After that, the named players must make snowballs and throw them at each other.

It is allowed to dodge and crouch, but not to move. The one who is hit by a snowball is out. The participant who “knocked out” his opponent can throw a snowball at any of the opposing team. The team with no players left loses.

The facilitator must give instructions quickly so that the game does not stall and is fun.

8. Vorottsa

Photo: tammykayphoto / Depositphotos

Ordinary slides can be made even more fun. Below, under the hill, build a gate of snow, sticks without sharp ends or spruce branches. They do not have to be in the center of the descent, because the task is just to slide down and get into the gate. You can ride on anything: on a snow scooter, ordinary sleds, tubing or just on an ice rink.

9. “Battlefield”

For this game, you also need to split into teams: “shooters” and “targets”. "Targets" are divided into two lines and stand 15 steps opposite each other. The “arrows” do the same, standing in two lines perpendicular to the “arrows”. The resulting square is the battlefield.

On a signal, one of the group of "targets" runs to his teammates from the opposite side. His task is to dodge snowballs, and the goal of the “shooters” is to hit the runner on the spot in order to knock him out of the game. As soon as one of the "targets" ran to another line or dropped out of the game, the next one starts moving from the opposite side. After several rounds, the teams change places.

10. "Snowball tag"

For this fun, you need to designate a large square, which will become a playground. All players are on it, except for two drivers. It is impossible to run outside the square, otherwise the offender will join the drivers. They must hit the rest of the players with snowballs: in this way, the drivers knock other participants out of the game. You can add a rule that the dropouts also throw snowballs. Those two, in which they could not get into, become the new drivers.

11. Winter football

If you miss summer and its entertainment, arrange winter football! Mark the goal in the snow, split into two teams and simplify the rules a bit, because playing in the snow is not only more fun, but also more difficult. For example, you can cancel goalkeepers and not penalize random handball.

12. Sled racing

Photo: d.travnikov / Depositphotos

You can arrange real races on sleds if you divide into crews: one person is carrying, the other is driving. You can come up with a difficult route or just compete on a straight line. It is best if parents or older children are carrying.

In another version of the race, the drivers can be removed so that the "riders" ride on their own with the help of their legs. To do this, it is better to find a flat area and mark the start and finish lines on it. For more fun and excitement, participants can sit on the sled in pairs.

Another variation of sled racing can be the relay race. In this case, it is also desirable to choose a flat area with marked start and turn lines. To do this, you need to break into teams with an even number of participants in order to make several pairs of them. The first crews get on the line, start at the signal, reach the opposite side of the site, turn around and come back. Then the next pair goes. The team, all the “crews” of which complete the relay faster, wins.

To add to the fun, you can come up with additional conditions. For example, leave one sled for each team so that the “crews” change every time. Or arrange a relay race in which each participant must pass his stage himself, sitting on a sled and pushing off with his feet.

13. "Who is stronger"

You can also arrange an analogue of tug of war on the sled. To do this, two participants sit on the same sled with their backs to each other and with the help of their legs try to leave each in their own direction. Also, one participant may try to leave, and the second must slow him down.

There is a third version of this fun: participants on two sleds are placed opposite each other. Each holds a rope from the opponent's sled. On a signal, they should try to pull each other to their side.

Unfortunately, not all regions of our country have enough snow in winter for the activities described above. Therefore, we offer several options for a situation where there is little or no snow at all.

14. "Two Santa Clauses"

For this game, with the help of a rhyme, you need to choose two drivers - Santa Clauses. After that, mark two lines at a distance of 15-20 steps. On one of them stand the rest of the participants.

To add New Year's mood (especially if children are playing), Frosts can say: “I am Red Nose Frost!”, “And I am Blue Nose Frost!” Then they give a start to the beginning of the game: “Well, which of you will decide to go on a path?” The players answer: “We are not afraid of threats, and we are not afraid of frost!”. And the Frosts command: "One, two, three - run!"

After that, the players run to the opposite line, and the Frosts must touch the participants so that they stop in place - “freeze”. When all the players, except for the “frozen”, reach the goal, the drivers give the command for the next start. During each subsequent race, participants can “unfreeze” less fortunate teammates with a touch.

Another version of this game involves dividing the participants into two teams and standing facing each other so that there are 15–20 steps between groups. Frost is chosen from each team. On a signal, one player runs out from both sides. Their task is to run to the opposite team. Frosts, on the other hand, try to hit the members of the other team with snowballs in order to “freeze” them. "Frozen" should freeze in place. As soon as the player reaches the opposite side or is “frozen”, the next one starts moving.

15. “North wind, south wind”

For this game, participants choose two drivers. One becomes the North wind and the other becomes the South. The rest of the players run around the court. The north wind catches the contestants and "freezes" them to make the contestants stop. And the South wind “thaws”, touching them with his hand and saying loudly: “Free”. Moreover, the South wind can also be “frozen”.

It is best if the game takes place on a limited area, and the South Wind could not be frozen permanently - for example, only for the time in which he counts out loud to 30.

16. Twelve Sticks

To play Twelve Sticks, you will need a wooden board set on a stone or block so that one part of it is up and the other is on the ground or snow. It turns out a kind of "swing". On the half of the board that lies on the ground, put 12 small sticks. The first driver is also selected.

The game begins when one of the players, having stepped sharply on the top edge of the board, scatters the sticks. After that, the driver must collect them, and the rest are hiding at this time. The task of the driver is to find them. Having learned where one of the participants is hiding, the driver must loudly shout his name, and also indicate the place where he took refuge. If the driver named everything correctly, the one found should go out.

While the driver is searching, one of the participants can quietly run up to the board and, shouting “Twelve sticks are flying!”, scatter the sticks again. While the driver collects them, all the detected players can again hide, and they will have to be searched again.


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