Things for kids to do in winter
40 Fun Winter Activities for Kids
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Author: Beth
Inside: 40+ fun winter activities for kids – These wintery ideas are broken down into four categories: outdoor snow play, winter art activities, Indoor winter play ideas, and a winter book list.
Need fun winter activities for your kids?
Me too! From outdoor snow play to indoor art ideas, here are 40 winter activities for kids.
As a parent to three small children, I often wonder how my parents put boots on wiggly feet and mittens on small hands. It can be an actual test of patience as my independent children take on these tasks.
So in between suiting up for snow play and heading inside for hot chocolate? We are all left wondering how I can entertain my kids in the winter when the days can feel so long!
How do I entertain my kids in the winter?
Here in the southeast, snow is highly unlikely. As a native northerner, I can say that although I enjoy the warmer weather, I also miss a snowy Christmas equally as much. Since I can’t have it all, I hope for one solid snow day each season.
– Is that asking for too much? Maybe.
In the meantime, we have a solid list of winter activities to test out and share with you!
Outdoor Snow Play
Hats on, scarf found. Let’s head outside for some snow play ideas that will entertain children longer than it took to get the left foot inside the boot.
- Winter Activities for Kids in the Woods – The Workspace for Children
- Snow Frozen Yogurt Melts – Here Wee Learn
- Snow Spray Painting – Mama Papa Buba
- Colored Ice Sculptures – Happy Hooligans
- Easy Outdoor Ice Rink – Mama Papa Buba
- Snow Volcano – Messy Little Monster
- Snow and Ice Experiment – Here Wee Learn
- How to Make Snow Paint – Messy Little Monster
Winter Art Activities
I love a winter craft.
Here are some favorite ideas to try with toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids from process art to product!
- Tissue Paper Mittens – Days with Grey
- Snowflake Garland – Art Bar Blog
- Tape Resist Art – Toddler Approved
- Watercolor Snowmen – Days with Grey
- Sparkle Snowflakes – Toddler Approved
- Cut and Glue the Snowman – Days with Grey
- GIANT art banners – Friends Art Lab
- Winter Solstice Lanterns – Here Wee Learn
Indoor Winter Play Ideas
For starters, I have already created an enjoyable list of indoor activities here. But let’s take this one step further and pull out the great ideas that align with a winter theme.
- Ice Skating Bears – Days with Grey
- Winter Bear Rescue – Days with Grey
- Snow Pups Winter Sensory Play – Busy Toddler
- Squishy Snowman Bag – Mama Papa Buba
- Decorate the Mittens – Days with Grey
- Giant Snowman Buddy – Toddler Approved
- Design a Snowman House – Days with Grey
- Snow Paint – Busy Toddler
- Snow Trucks – Toddler Approved
- Feed the Snowman – Busy Toddler
- Snowman Name Hunt – Toddler Approved
A few more indoor ideas that don’t carry the winter theme, but are a great break from the snow!
- Indoor Mini Golf
- The Claw
- Magnetic Tiles Bowling
- Cloud Dough Construction Play
- Transportation Toy Sort
Winter Book List
Snow play is a blast, but we will also carve out some time for some fantastic books.
Again, we are in the southeast. If my children don’t experience the snow, we will read about it!
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- Snowmen at Night
- Loud Winter’s Nap
- The Snowy Day
- Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
- The Mitten
- Little Owl’s Snow
- Sneezy the Snowman
- How to Catch a Yeti
Which winter idea or book will you try first?
31+ Days of Winter Activities for Kids (with Printable List!)
Looking for winter activities for kids? Here are lots of fun winter crafts, outdoor snow ideas, winter art activities & winter picture books.
Updated December 2021
It’s winter here in the northern hemisphere which means it’s time for sledding, ice skating, building snowmen, hot chocolate, and, perhaps, more indoor activities than usual.
Here’s more than 31 ideas for winter activities for kids to keep busy all month long. This list includes both outdoor ideas and indoor ideas. It’s a mix of snow play, art activities, crafts, construction, and, of course, a winter book list for kids. These are great ways to keep occupied during the winter months!
For a printable version of the list, scroll down to the bottom of this post to get a handy PDF version!
Photo by Gina Vide5 Outdoor Snow Play Ideas
First up is outdoor play! These are probably going to be any kids’ favorite winter activities because they truly capture the special nature of this season. It’s a winter wonderland out there, so go enjoy it!
1) Make Swedish snowball lanterns
2) Send the kids on a winter scavenger hunt with colored ice sculptures
3) Build a snowman!
4) Host a backyard winter Olympics (on Rain or Shine Mama)
5) Go on a winter nature walk (on How Wee Learn)
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul5 Winter Art Activities
Now for some indoor activities.
But just because you are warm inside doesn’t mean you can’t draw inspiration from the season. Here’s a bunch of fun art projects that your kids will enjoy:
6) Make glue resist snowman paintings
7) Paint winter scenes with this easy snow painting technique
8) Microwave puffy paint snowflakes and snowmen
9) Try a Jan Brett inspired winter art activity
10) Make a stained-glass bunting (with words & wishes for the new year)
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul7 Art Activities with Snow and Ice
Or combine the art & play outdoors. Take art projects outside for some truly unique activities that you couldn’t make any other time of year!
11) Build colored ice sculptures
12) Paint snow with spray bottles (on The Resourceful Mama)
13) Make painted ice lanterns (on Willowday)
14) Experiment with ice, salt, and food coloring
15) Make glowing snow paint (on Growing a Jeweled Rose)
16) Try this snowy day tissue paper art (on Fireflies and Mudpies)
17) Create a nature ice wreath
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul5 Winter Crafts for Kids
And here are 5 fun and unique winter art projects that are suitable for all skill levels.
18) Cut and paint coffee filter snowflakes
19) Use contact paper and yarn to make sticky snowflakes
20) Paint with ice (on Easy Peasy and Fun)
21) Use bleeding tissue paper to make snowflake prints
22) Sew paper plate snowflake yarn art (on I Heart Crafty Things)
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul5 Indoor Winter Play Ideas
And for times when everyone prefers to stay warm here are some ideas for winter play indoors.
23) Build snowmen out of playdough and decorate with beads or buttons
24) Try small world pretend play with fake snow (or real snow)
25) Build and play with a lighted cardboard dollhouse
26) Try one of these winter-themed sensory play ideas!
27) Have a game night
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul5 Construction Ideas
Kids love to build things, and winter provides its own fair share of building materials right on the ground! You can build indoors or outdoors, and we’ve provided both options below:
28) Build with toothpicks and grapes, cranberries, marshmallows, or gumdrops
29) Make an igloo out of sugar cubes (on Dixie Crystals)
30) Build an indoor fort or igloo
31) Use these brick molds to build the perfect snow fort
32) Build the perfect snowman (from the Spruce)
Read Winter Books for Kids
33) Head to the library and check out some books about winter.
Need some suggestions? Ask your children’s librarian or try some of these:
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
- The Mitten by Jan Brett
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
- The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
- Red Sled by Lita Judge
- Walking in a Winter Wonderland by Richard B. Smith, Felix Bernard, and Tim Hopgood
Would you like a printable version of 31 Winter Activities for Kids to hang on your fridge?
Enter your name and email in the pop-up and receive a PDF delivered straight to your inbox!
We hope our winter activities provide your family with inspiration and ideas for embracing creativity with your family through the winter months.
How about you? What are your favorite winter activities for kids?
More Winter Activities for Kids
- 12 Winter Sensory Activities and Creative Play Ideas for Kids
- How to Make Swedish Snowball Lanterns
- 13 Winter Art Projects for Kids
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90,000 🎿32 ways to take your child on a winter walk.
Walking with a child: the right clothes and games Many parents notice that babies up to 3-4 years old do not really like to walk in the winter, and it can be difficult to gather them for a walk. What is the reason? An expert on activities with children Zhenya Katz advises first to check clothes and shoes: are they comfortable, not cold? And then use the ideas of games: some of them the children will definitely like!
My son Grishka at 1.5–2 years old hated winter walks and started whining as soon as we went out. He didn't want to dig, he didn't want to go up the hill - he didn't want anything. And now he loves to walk - he just outgrew those baby problems and learned to perfectly entertain himself on the street at any time of the year, and especially in winter. Well, that winter I had to invent masses in all sorts of exciting activities in order to take the child out into the fresh air at least for a while.
Here's what I noticed then: in autumn it can be difficult for adults to get used to frost and wind, and therefore I myself dress much warmer at the beginning of winter than in its middle.
I'm just freezing until I get used to winter! And the kids get cold too! Therefore, from the very first cold days, we dressed warmer.
While the child is very small, sitting in a stroller or on a sled, one-piece overalls are convenient. Young children are usually not particularly fond of dressing up, and winter walks are difficult for them and for parents, in part because you need to put a lot of things on the baby. After suffering like this for some time, I solved the problem radically: we bought a down overalls and a very warm hat with a collar. After that, dressing for a walk was reduced to a minimum: we put on tights or socks for the child, sometimes a thin sweater over a T-shirt, and a down overall. Everything! Moon rover boots - on your feet, and you can go, and put on your hat and mittens already in the elevator.
My children were quite cold in infancy, so I looked for or sewed the warmest and most waterproof mittens for them. Sometimes children don't like to put on mittens because grabbing something is uncomfortable and unusual.
Gloves are probably more suitable for such children, although their hands get cold much faster. In any case, it would be good to take spare mittens for a walk so that you have something to change into if the first ones get wet, icy or full of snow.
Sometimes babies cry outside in winter because their cheeks get cold — you can try smearing them with a special cream before going for a walk. Or maybe it's just cold hands or feet. Then you need to carefully examine the clothes and shoes and find something suitable.
Some children at the age of one and a half refuse to walk on the street at all if they are put on too thick clothes - overalls with fur or, especially, a fur coat. In such clothes, the child is so clumsy that it is simply difficult for him to take a step. My brother, for example, in a fur coat did not take a single step, but simply lay down on the snow. My mother had to knit a warm sweater for him and sew waterproof winter pants - and then he began to walk normally.
- ride down the hills on ice or sleds;
- try to climb these slides on the steepest place, or on ice, or on the deepest snowdrifts;
- roll head over heels;
- wallow in fluffy snow;
- dig snow and make cakes;
- climb the tops of snowdrifts;
- kick the ice on the path;
- play hockey;
- throw snowballs;
- make snowmen, snow bears and cats, crocodiles and geese;
- to build houses for the mouse - from snow and ice slabs, from bunches of dry grass, from lumps of snow;
- drill holes in snowdrifts with a stick or a handle from a spatula;
- tread tricky labyrinth paths in the snow and then run along them;
- track tracks - play an expedition to the North Pole;
- look for snow snakes in the trees;
- build big snow forts and houses;
- fall on your back in the snow and wave your arms - "draw angels";
- draw with a stick in the snow;
- water the snow with colored water from a bottle;
- spread multi-colored ice cubes on the snow to make a pattern;
- tear off pieces of crust and throw them on the ground to break;
- throwing snow into the air with your hands or a shovel is very beautiful, especially in the evening under a lantern.
At the same time, you need to shout loudly "salute!" or "hooray!" and try to run under the falling snow; - play catch-up-bang - run through the snowdrifts and whoever they catch up with - fool around;
- to plant branches that have fallen from trees during the wind into the snow;
- collect ice and snowballs in the grate from the stroller, and then melt them at home: you can under water, or you can watch how they gradually melt;
- tear off icicles;
- lead New Year's round dances around all the Christmas trees, sing about the Christmas tree;
- decorate the Christmas tree in the forest with all sorts of toys;
- to hammer steps near the hill;
- go skiing;
- to skate;
- run, jump, dance.
Here is our favorite snow dance :
We are walking on snowdrifts,
Raise your leg higher,
Top-top, top-top,
Wow! Everyone fell into a snowdrift!
Together with children , you can make feeders , for example, from milk bags, hang them in the nearest park, and then go around all the feeders and add crumbs and grains to them.
So you will have both a more or less extended route and the purpose of the walk.
In severe frost, you can make with children ice lanterns . Here is the easiest way: fold the snow in a circle, compact it, and then pour water over it so that ice walls grow. And inside such a flashlight you can put a thick candle or sparkler.
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01/07/2014
Updated on 12/30/2021
90 Remember your childhood? When the first snow fell outside the window, we ran outside to build a snowman, play snowball fights with friends, go sledding and skiing. The day flew by unnoticed and we returned home reluctantly, all covered in snow and icicles. Winter entertainment is alien to modern children. Kuchugurs of snow attract them much less than online games and cartoons. Gala Center offers to make this winter unforgettable for the whole family.
We've rounded up the coolest winter outdoor activities for kids in one collection so you can have some fun.
It's cold and snowy outside, which means winter has officially begun! Short days and cold weather are the enemies of long outdoor walks for children. We hope to change this. In winter, children need to spend time outside just as they do in summer. Winter outdoor activities strengthen the immune system , improve brain function and the condition of the whole organism. Walking outdoors is an exercise in sports. Children jump, run, tumble. In general, they do everything that they cannot do in an apartment. And winter entertainment on the street - is the natural hardening of . The child takes air baths. In the open air, the work of the respiratory tract and the heart improves. During a walk, the mood improves and the brains are “cleansed”, which is very important if the child studies a lot or sits at the computer.
One of the main health benefits of winter walks is vitamin D, which children get from the sun.
It protects the body from many diseases, and also improves mental health and creativity, helps to focus. After daily walks in the fresh air, children learn new information better, memorize poems faster and do their homework better.
Also, during winter activities, speeds up the metabolism of . Running and jumping, children burn more calories. Being in the cold, the human body spends more energy to keep warm. So, if your plans are to lose a couple of kilograms, you can keep your child company. But the problem is that sometimes it is difficult to find outdoor entertainment in winter. Gala Center is always looking for new ideas to stay active and have fun outdoors. We've put together a huge list of winter outdoor activities for kids so you won't be bored.
What to do outdoors with children in winter?
No. 1. Skating. Winter is the perfect time to learn how to skate. There is something fabulous about ice skating in freezing winter weather on open ice.
Wait for severe frosts so that the water on the nearest pond freezes well and go to have fun with the whole family. Or you can take it as a tradition to visit special outdoor skating rinks.
No. 2. Play hockey. The first point of the winter entertainment program can be supplemented with the second. If you have already gone to the skating rink, you can play hockey. Moreover, all winter entertainment equipment can be bought from the SilaPro brand at competitive prices. We are sure that not a single boy will refuse to play hockey with his dad. It's much more fun than online games on the computer.
No. 3. Make a snowman. On days when there is a lot of snow outside, children can create a lot. In addition to the snowman, you can try to make animals or cartoon characters.
No. 4. Color the snow. Mix food coloring with a little water and fill with a water gun or spray bottle. Let the children paint the snow-white snow in all the colors of the rainbow, draw shapes or make inscriptions.
You can also paint a snowman on the snow with a can of paint.
No. 5. Sculpt snow figures. For this you will need special SilaPro snow molds. The size of the plastic blank is 22x16 cm. There are 5 designs in the collection - cats, mice and other animals of different colors.
No. 6. Build a snow maze. On those days when there is a lot of snow, go to the countryside to build a snow maze. Let the children challenge each other and compete on the speed and quality of the task. If you live in a private house, build snow labyrinths right in the yard.
No. 7. Go skiing. Skiing is incredibly exciting and fun for the whole family. If you don’t know what to do outdoors with children in winter, buy SilaPro children’s skis. Pack up your gear and head to the hills for some winter fun.
No. 8. Evening walks in search of New Year's lights. When the evening comes, every city turns into a fairy tale. LED lights sparkle on buildings and trees, snowflakes and Christmas stickers adorn the windows of houses.
Make it a tradition to take your kids for a walk before bed. It's very exciting, especially on New Year's Eve.
No. 9. Play the giant tic-tac-toe game in the snow. Draw a playing field, use twigs and acorns as X and O.
No. 10. Play bowling with snowballs. Arrange the skittles and try to knock them down with snowballs. Great winter outdoor fun for the whole family.
No. 11. Make frozen colorful balls. You will need water, food coloring and balloons. Put 18 drops of food coloring into a balloon, then fill it with tap water. Tie up to keep the liquid inside and leave in the snow. When they are frozen, remove the latex shell and get multi-colored ice balls. Play bowling with them or sculpt colorful snowmen by connecting them with slush from water and snow. It's a lot of fun and the kids will love it.
No. 12. Buy a snowtube with a seat. What to do outdoors with children in winter? Of course, find the steepest hill and go down on a snowtube all day long.
They glide perfectly, providing exciting high-speed rides.
No. 13. Throwing icicles. Use icicles as a spear. Who will throw it further without breaking it? Great competition for kids and parents.
No. 14. Arrange snowball fights. Silapro snow blowers will be a great help in making projectiles. Put the snow in a plastic compartment, close it and get a perfectly round snowball. Then you can build a snow pyramid out of snowballs. Who will get the highest?
No. 15. Make a bird feeder. Teach children to do good from an early age. Make bird feeders together and hang them in your yard. Let the children feed the birds daily. An excellent assistant in this matter will be a glue gun or a construction stapler.
No. 17. Make a giant snowball. Have a competition to see who can make the biggest snowball. Great winter fun for kids of all ages.
No. 18. Make beautiful ice shapes. Take silicone baking molds, put fir branches, leaves, acorns and rowan in them. Fill with water and leave in the cold. You will get the most beautiful ice forms with which you can decorate the yard.
No. 19. Make sculptures out of colored ice. You will need food coloring, water and silicone ice molds. If you add a drop of dye to each cell, the ice will turn out too dark. Therefore, prepare a colored liquid in a jug, and then pour it into molds. When the cubes are ready, go outside. Use a bottle of very cold water to help the ice cubes stick together. Pour some water on the snow and press an ice cube into it. Hold until it hardens and becomes motionless. Then drop water on top of the cube and press the next cube. Count to ten. During this time, they will firmly stick to each other.
To make the cubes bigger, you can use silicone cupcake molds.
No. 20. Build an igloo or snow cave. If you do not know what to do with children in the winter in the fresh air, start building a cave or needle out of snow. The whole family will be involved in the construction process, and the children will be able to play in the winter house for a long time to come.
No. 21. Winter fishing. If you love fishing, it's time to introduce your hobby to children. Take winter fishing rods and baits, dress warmly and go to the pond to bring fresh fish for dinner.
No. 22. Go to the snowy forest. Teach the children to identify coniferous trees and look for animal tracks. You can light a fire and fry sausages. And also make a cake for animals from fruits and vegetables. Hares will be grateful to you for cabbage and carrots.
No. 23. Study snowflakes. In the winter season, there is nothing more magical than snowflakes.
Explore snowflakes with your kids. Explain how they are formed and why they are not similar to each other. Use a piece of black felt to catch falling snowflakes, get a closer look at them, and even take a picture.
No. 24. Make bird garlands. In addition to feeders, you can make edible bird garlands. Take the cord and fasten dried fruits, popcorn, cranberries, cookies on it. You can also roll the buds in peanut butter and sprinkle them with grits.
No. 25. Make colored icicles. Hang water bottles, make holes in the bottom and tie strings so that water can slowly run down them and form colored icicles.
No. 26. Play hide and seek with flashlights. What else to do with children in the winter outdoors? In winter, it gets dark very early, and therefore most often we spend the evenings at home watching TV. Arm yourself with flashlights and go outside to play hide and seek. This is the perfect winter activity for families living in a private home.
Let everyone find a shelter for themselves, and you will try to find everyone with the help of a searchlight.
No. 27. Build an obstacle course. Arrange a competition in which each child must complete an obstacle course and get to point X without ever setting foot on the ground. Children will complete the course countless times before they want to switch to new winter adventures. Add new items regularly to keep the little mischief-makers interested in the fun.
Also read:
• Preparing a sleigh in the summer. TOP 8 things that will make your child's winter activities unforgettable
• Snowtubes: 8 advantages of buying and 5 tips for choosing the right one
• How to choose walking children's skates? We reveal the secrets of the popularity of Sila sliding skatespro
No. 28. Organize a treasure hunt. Draw a map, place clues in the yard, and bury a treasure to be found under a pile of snow.
No.
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