Winter family games

Outdoor Games to Play with the Whole Family in the Snow 2021

These outdoor games are perfect for winter and cold-weather fun. Grab a coat and get ready to play!

Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication.

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Family Handyman, via retailers (4)

If you’re into fresh air and good fun, make the most of a snowy yard, driveway or other open space with these fun outdoor games. From classic family games to timeless adult favorites, these winter-ready experiences are the perfect way to keep your eyes on the prize (and off your devices). And they make a perfect family holiday gift!

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via wayfair. com

Inflatable Snowball Toss

Best for families

This nine-piece inflatable snowball toss set comes with an inflatable vinyl game piece designed to catch well-aimed snowballs. The first to score three in a row wins the game — and maybe some prizes. The game comes with small plastic balls in case there’s not enough snow on the ground, but it’s snow much more fun to use real snowballs.

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via amazon.com

Reindeer Ring Toss

Best-rated cheapie

Whether you give this inflatable reindeer ring toss at Christmas or just want to keep a fun outdoor game on hand, it’s sure to make loads of winter memories. The game is only about $10, making it a total win.

“I bought this as a white elephant gift,” says one verified Amazon purchaser. “We had so much fun! We played group ring toss, all of us grabbing rings as fast as we could, and making ring shots on the two people who were wearing the antlers.

“Rings were flying everywhere — lots of laughter! Definitely livened up our party! It even comes with a little air pump.”

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via amazon.com

Flarts Floor and Yard Darts Game

Best for groups

You can play Flarts in all four seasons or even indoors, but it’s especially fun when the weather is crisp and you find yourself working up a sweat trying to win.

This outdoor game set includes a double-sided mat featuring a classic darts graphic on one side and your choice of a monster or unicorn-themed graphic on the other. The darts are inflatable and present just the right amount of safe, challenging fun for everyone in the group.

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via wayfair.com

Snow Chess

Best for deep thinkers

Snow chess is exactly what it sounds like, except the pieces are huge. Each stands 12 inches tall, and the chessboard is more like a giant picnic blanket laid across a snowy field. Just think of the photo opportunities for next year’s holiday card!

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via wayfair.com

Winter Connect-More

Best for couples

Need a little time together? This enormous take on classic Connect 4 offers just the right amount of relaxed fun and laughs to get you through the chilliest days. Pop on some cozy mittens and do your best to win. Keep this game on the patio or deck year-round.

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via wayfair.com

Giant Checkers and Tic Tac Toe

Best for all ages

Young and old alike will love playing tic tac toe and checkers on these giant yard-friendly mats. The weather-resistant EVA foam set can be rearranged from a jumbo checkerboard to tic tac toe in minutes. Ten big X and O discs and 24 checkers come with the set, all housed in a convenient carrying bag.

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via walmart.com

Light-Up Bean Bag Toss

Best affordable outdoor game

This clever bean bag toss (AKA cornhole) is ideal for all ages and comes in at an affordable price ($25). The best part? While typical bean bags may sink into the snow and vanish, these light up so they’re easy to spot.

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via amazon.com

Winter Laser Tag

Best for big kids

Heck, adults will love this laser tag set, too. But really, tweens and teens will have hours of fun playing with this fun set. It comes with four infrared laser guns and four vests. The vests slip over fleeces, jackets and sweatshirts with ease, but they’ll probably work up a sweat playing this on even the chilliest days.

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via amazon. com

Velcro Toss & Catch Game

Best game to play with small children

This old-school toss and catch game is still a popular favorite, and it’s just as fun for kids in the snow as it is on the beach.

“The pads have such strong grip that our three and five-year-olds could not unstick the ball from it at first, but they figured it out quickly,” writes verified Amazon purchaser Gregory. “We played all day in the yard and left the toy outside. It rained all night. We thought that’s it, game over. But no, the toy is still in great condition and super sticky.”

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via amazon.com

Kan Jam Disc Throwing Game

Best for groups of four

Take turns throwing and deflecting the flying disc across the yard, a snowy park or anywhere else with this game. Aim at the goal to get 21 points.

It’s trickier than it looks. It’s great for competitive adults who love cornhole but want to try new outdoor games.

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via amazon.com

Roll the Dice

Best for keeping score

Play dice games or keep score on made-up games of your own with these large 3-1/2-in. red foam dice that won’t sink into the snow. They’re bright red and nearly impossible to lose.

“I’ve seen a lot of these giant dice in wood, but they’re very heavy so foam is a perfect option for me,” writes a happy verified Amazon purchaser. “Comes with a mesh bag that easily fits the six dice, rules and the reusable scoreboard. Dry erase scoreboard has rules and scoring for Farkle and Rollzee [generic Yahtzee] and comes with a marker.”

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via amazon.com

Ideal Sno Toys Sno-Art Kit

Best for creative play

Make your own outdoor games or challenge each other to a snow art duel with this Sno-Art kit that offers hours of creative play for people of all ages. You’ll color and decorate the snow with special markers designed for the cold fluff. It even includes snow molds to create precise art.

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via amazon.com

Amazon Basics Ladder Toss Outdoor Lawn Game

Best easy-to-learn game

If you’re not in the mood to learn complicated new outdoor games, that’s okay. This ladder toss game is great in all four seasons and a cinch to figure out. It’s ideal for two to four players and makes for an especially fun time for adults and teens.

“As usual, Amazon Basics has created a great value ladder ball set,” writes verified Amazon purchaser HoppaGuy. “I got a cheap set and it broke almost immediately with the first play. This set, while not expensive, has thicker PVC tubes and will last longer. It comes with a carrying case. Overall highly recommend for backyard use and tailgating!”

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Originally Published: October 12, 2021

Bryce Gruber

As Home Editor, Bryce Gruber is an expert in gift ideas, shopping, and e-commerce at Family Handyman. You've likely seen her work across a variety of women's lifestyle and parenting outlets and on TV shows. She lives and works in New York's Hudson Valley with her five small children.

40 Indoor and Outdoor Winter Games for Kids

When the summer heat finally breaks, the last leaves fall, and the first flakes have fallen, it's thrilling. Holiday seasons are in full swing and everyone is happy--if not a little stressed. But when it all ends, the wrapping paper is thrown out, the fireworks have been shot, what are you left with? 3 more months of cold and slush. When you don't want your kids sitting in front of the tv or computer, it can be really exhausting to try to figure out what to do to help the dark, slow days pass by with purpose and fun. That's why this list of winter activities was created to help you keep your kids busy!

There's nothing quite like building forts and arming everyone with different Nerf weapons to the entire family and letting everyone play. Make sure you hide anything fragile though!

Learn more: Happy Mom Hacks

Maybe you don't feel like being shot at with foamy darts. That's fair. Instead, try setting up targets around the house. You can use water bottles, plastic or paper cups, paper plates, or anything else you might like. Whoever has the best aim wins!

Learn more: Happy Mom Hacks

Never underestimate the power of a good, old-fashioned game of cards, especially Uno. This game is super fun for travel & family game night, as well as for entertaining kids without having to put too much thought or planning into it. Just go on Amazon, order some cards, and you're ready to go!

Learn more: Household Management 101

When the temperature dips into subzero temperatures, you might be craving an indoor game to keep you moving and warm. Nothing is simpler than blowing up a balloon, tossing it in the air, and yelling "go!"

Learn more: Kid Spot

5. Indoor Balance Beam

It's never too cold outside to practice your balance! Using painter's tape, create a line on the floor as long and as zig-zaggy as you please. Have your child see if they can walk the whole line. Then, have them do it backward, too. When they're done, tape a new line.

Learn more: Family Fun Twin Cities

If you love hockey, but you don't want to deal with the ice of the winter season, just play it indoors--with socks! Create goals with plastic laundry baskets, select a goalie, and use socks as pucks to throw around!

Learn more: Family Fun Twin Cities

This popular summer camp game is actually really easy to play indoors! Simply divide up the family into 2 teams, have each team hide their flag, and begin the hunt! The first team to capture the other's flag wins.

Learn more: Pivot

Looking for something a little less active? Try Fish Bowl! Similar to charades, everyone writes down 3 nouns (person, place, or thing). All 3 of the nouns go in the bowl, then you split into 2 teams. The game is played in 3 rounds. A round is over when all the paper slips have been guessed. One player at a time goes up for 30 seconds and pulls a slip of paper out of the bowl, then their team has to guess what is on the paper. If they guess it before time runs out, that same player draws another slip and the process is repeated. At the end of the round, all the slips go back in and the next round begins. In the first round, they can use words to explain it. The second round only motions/movements. The third round is a single word. Whichever team has the most points at the end of the 3 rounds, wins!

Learn more: Fun Attic

Using pins (or water bottles) and a ball, set up your own indoor bowling alley! This indoor activity is simple and easy fun for all. Simply keep score as you usually would and have fun!

Learn more: Preschool Toolkit

10. Indoor Scavenger Hunt

This next indoor activity can be as easy or as difficult as you choose to make it! Take vague pictures of or describe objects around your house and send the kids out to find them. Each household object provides a new clue for where to go next. The winner gets the prize at the end.

Learn more: Thirty Handmade Days

There's nothing more satisfying than watching a giant domino chain reaction. While the winter season is in full swing, take the time to set one up. The longer it stretches, the better!

Learn more: Hevesh5

If your domino extravaganza isn't enough satisfaction for you, try spending your winter day building a Rube Goldberg machine! It doesn't have to be too involved, but it can be if you'd like it to be. If you have multiple kids to entertain, try making it a competition!

Learn more: Scout Life

Gather lots of paper for this one! Have everyone make a few paper airplanes out of sheets of paper using different folding techniques. Then see whose can fly the furthest, the most accurate, or the highest!

Learn more: The Thinker Builder

Sometimes on a cold winter day, you really miss the fun activities of summer. The good news is, one of these activities is easily done inside, too! A bubble activity could be just what you need. Just get some containers of bubble solution or make your own with dish detergent and water in a metal dish. Dip a bubble stick in and blow!

Learn more: 23 Brilliant Bubble Activities for Kids

Set up different cups and dishes in the bathtub, then let your kid pretend to be a mad scientist as he/she concocts all different soap/water ratios. Bubbles and kid giggles galore! If you plan ahead, you can even try bubble path potions!

Learn more: MrBubbleBubbleBath

Never underestimate the power of sitting down and reading a book. Sometimes just the simplest activity can turn a dull snow day into an adventure. Plus, instilling a lifelong love of reading in kids starts when they're young!

Learn more: Scientific American Blog

If you really get hit hard by the winter weather and find yourself with a large amount of fluffy, cold snow, try bringing it into you to enjoy this fun winter activity! Using buckets, fill your tub with snow then let yourselves scoop, mold, and build whatever you can think of. When you're done, let it all melt down the drain.

Learn more: Totally The Bomb

Do you want to build a snowman? No, not really? Well, how about an indoor snowman instead of a regular snowman? This activity is simple! Just fill a metal pan (or even a shoebox) with corn starch and shaving cream until you have the right consistency, then build away!

Learn more: Modern Parents Messy Kids

19. Paper Snowflakes

If outside is cold, but lacking the "winter wonderland" look, make it yourself! You'll need scissors, white paper (LOTS of paper), and your hands. Fold the sheet of paper into a triangle three times, then cut along all of the sides. When you open it up, you should have a 5-inch paper snowflake with your unique artistic design! Hang them up to create a winter-themed wonderland!

Learn more: HGTV

Once you've decided to put on your winter coat, snow boots, and scarf to venture out into the cold winter air, you might as well drop down and immerse yourself completely! Spread your arms and legs and pull them back into yourself to create some of the most magical snow angels.

Learn more: Time

This outdoor snow activity will be the sweetest part of your day! Just heat up some pure maple syrup on the stove, then go outside and (making sure to use clean snow) pour strips of the hot syrup on your clean snow. Watch as it hardens into candy, then enjoy!

Learn more: Happy Hooligans

If you've got a lot of snow for this snow day, you can easily build an igloo. This may seem difficult, but all you really need to do is mound up snow into a huge pile, then use a snow shovel to hollow it out (not too thin, though). Crawl on in!

Learn more: Your Modern Family

Some outdoor snow games that are great for the color-enthusiasts in your life: painting snow. To do this, simply fill a spray bottle or two with water, add in food coloring, and spray your food-colored-tinted water on the snow to color it. Coloring ✓ Snow ✓happiness ✓

Learn more: Glued to my Crafts Blog

Missing the beach? Ease the pain with a little snow castle building! It's the same concept as with sand, but you might want to wear gloves or your finger will get a little cold. Take it a step further and make it giant so kids can play in it!

Learn more: Chicago Parent

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Gather everyone up and see who can make the biggest snowball! Or work together to make something truly spectacular!

Learn more: The Backyard Gnome

Once you've rolled your giant snowballs, use them to help you out with one of the best snow activities of all time--building a snowman! Stack 3 balls of snow on top of each other, then add some sticks as arms, a scarf, a carrot nose, and a pebble face. Add a top hat if you've got one!

Learn more: Fun Boy

Another fun activity that you can do is sledding. All you need is a sled (or a flat metal pan or smooth trash can lid) and a hill. Have fun and be careful!

Learn more: Backyard Sidekick

This can be done indoors or outdoors at a skating rink. If you go somewhere public, just rent some ice skates and put them on! Kids can often use traffic cones or skate walkers to help them stay up while they learn the basics. If skating on a lake, make sure it's solidly frozen all the way through.

Learn more: Today's Parent

Build some snowballs and have kids pass them from person to person using spoons as they compete in a snowball relay race! This activity during winter can also be played indoors.

Learn more: Party Game Ideas

Gather some heavy-duty balloons, food dye, and glitter (if you want). Drop a bit of food dye into the balloons, add the optional glitter, and fill the balloons with water. Be careful not to fill the balloons with water all the way! Set them outside in subzero temperatures or in the freezer. When they're solid, peel away the balloon.

Learn more: Exploratorium

Shovel paths through the snow to create a maze. Your limit is how much land you have!

Learn more: Life with Moore Babies

There's nothing crisper than a clear winter night. Grab some hot chocolate and find the winter constellations!

Learn more: Sunset

Learning is easiest when you're young! Get a cheap kid's snowboard or skis, and let your kids play on soft hills to practice the basic skills. Before you know it, you'll have a WinterKids Winter Games in your own backyard!

Learn more: Men's Journal

Build up a snowball around small toys (or even puzzle pieces that can get a little wet). Have kids smash the snowballs to find them all! You can also use sheets of paper.

Learn more: Speckled Egg

Mound up snow on different levels and place buckets with black construction paper numbers on them on the snow. Then try to roll snowballs into the buckets!

Learn more: Everyday Dishes

Using whatever you can find (hula hoops, sleds, balls, just mounds of snow) build an obstacle course! Have kids go through it forwards, backward, and however else you can think of!

Learn more: Paper Heart Family

Draw a tic-tac-toe board in the snow. Using pinecones and sticks, play the game on a large, kinesthetic board!

Learn more: Building Our Story

This bubble activity works best in subzero temperatures. Using containers of bubble solution, blow the bubble softly and let it freeze on the wand!

Learn more: Building Our Story

Using the facial pieces from a Mr./Mrs. Potato Head kit, create snow potatoes, and decorate their faces. It's like a mini snowman, but sillier!

Learn more: Building Our Story

10+ winter games for a fun company

We have already written to you about how to entertain a child in the winter on the street, so that you can not leave the house. And for more active parents and kids who can't sit still, we offer 10 outdoor games. But all of them are really winter, you can't play like that in summer. So if you don't want to miss out on all the snow fun, pick a game and run outside!

"Snow Bouncers"

A game for a big, fun and noisy company. A snowy area is selected, on which there is enough snow to shell the enemy. At a distance of 30-40 steps from each other, two cities are drawn, that is, sites with a diameter of several meters. Children are divided into two teams. Some will be "runners", others - "snipers".

The task of the runners is to run from one city to another without a single hit. You need to run in turn, in a crowd - it's dishonest. And snipers, respectively, fire snowballs at the runners. For each hit - a point. Hits within the "city" do not count. When everyone runs across, the teams change places. And then we count the points and see who is the best runner and who is the best shooter.

Pushkin

Why Pushkin? Because duel. This is a game for two. Dueling weapons, of course, snowballs. Two opponents stand at a distance of about 8-10 meters from each other. A circle of diameters in meters is drawn around each of them. The second (for example, dad) chooses who will be the first. On a signal, the first player leans over, makes a snowball and throws it at the opponent. Then these actions are performed by the second player. You can dodge as you like, the main thing is not to leave the circle.

_{RULES OF CONDUCT IN THE NATURE IN SUMMER}

If both miss or both hit, the duel continues. But if one hit and the other missed, then another player takes the place of the loser (for example, the second dad). So, after a few rounds of the duel, it will become clear who you have here is "Pushkin" and who is "Dantes".

"The best shooter in the Wild Cold"

We continue the theme of "shooters" with two versions of the same game - "hit the target". In the first case, your target is a bucket on the snowman's head. Each shooter has three attempts to knock down a bucket with a snowball. For hitting on the first attempt - 30 points, on the second - 20, on the third - 10. You can play in teams or together.

In the second case, the snowman remains intact. The target is drawn on the wall of the house. The rules are the same, but you can make changes and make it a game of speed. Two targets - two players. And whoever is the first to cover the entire target with sticky snow is the best shooter in the Wild Cold.

"Snowball Relay"

We divide the children into two teams with an equal number of participants. Teams stand in one line, each player takes a snowball. The first participants from each team make a throw. The second participant goes to the place where the snowball landed. And he quits already from this place.

_{WHEN CAN CHILDREN BE LEFT ALONE?}

The winner is the team that, on the throw of the last participant (the first player goes there, closing the circle), was further from the starting line. You can throw both in one direction with both teams, and in different ones, standing at the start with your backs to each other, but then you need a tape measure or a pedometer.

"Sled Relay"

Let's move away from snow battles and think about other winter fun. For example, about sleds. With them, you can come up with many wonderful fun starts, relay races and competitions. Here are a few of them.

Two kids sit on a sled. Parents plan the finish line somewhere in 7-10 meters from them. Go! The one sitting in front must cross the finish line as quickly as possible, and the one who rides behind must interfere with him. You have 3 minutes to complete. If you play as a team, then for the victory of the player - 10 points.

_{NON-BORING WINTER. EVERYTHING TO SUCCESS.}

Another sledge option. Two kids sit on the sled with their backs to each other. The task is to get to the finish line, pushing only with your feet. Think it's that easy? But in fact - a hodgepodge of legs and laughing children.

And the third option. A pair of sledges is placed at a distance of several meters. The players sit facing each other and take in their hands the ropes from the sled, but not their own, but the opponent's. A line is drawn in the middle. After the signal, everyone begins to pull the rope towards themselves, and whoever first drags the opponent to their territory is well done. You can't help yourself with your feet.

Ice Racing

If you have an ice track in your yard, then you have a few more options for games. For example, "ice football player". Closer to the middle of the path, a large piece of ice, a pebble or a bump is placed. Children, sliding on ice, should move this object with their foot as far as possible. When no one in the circle can reach a new result, the winner is the one who last touched the pebble.

_{HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN}

Second option for three players. Two people stand on opposite sides of the path, holding a long rope in their hands. The third one is standing on the path, holding on to the rope. The players on the sides take turns giving him tasks that he must complete until the end of the "track". Sit down, ride on one leg, turn around backwards, etc. Then the players change. Whoever did it the fastest and best of all, he won.

Icicles

An old Russian game. On well-trodden even snow, a circle is drawn (diameter - 5 meters). A small depression is made in the center of the circle and 10 pieces of ice are put there. The leader is chosen, he must stand inside the circle, the rest around him. The task of the players is to knock out all the pieces of ice from the center outside the circle, running into it and dragging their trophies. But the leader cannot get out of the circle, but he can kick everyone in a row, knocking him out of the game. The game will end if all the pieces of ice are knocked out or all the children are tagged.

"Buy a bull"

Another game that came to us from ancient times, but no less interesting and again with an ice floe. We find a large piece of ice, draw a large circle. All children stand in a circle, a leader is appointed. The host should, with the admonition “Buy a bull” (can be replaced with anything, even “Cutlet soup!”, The main thing is a catchy phrase) jump on one leg and try to overpower others.

_{CHILDREN ABOUT ECOLOGY}

The task of the other players is to dodge the ice, not "buy a bull". If someone is hurt, then he immediately becomes the leader and shakes one leg. If the leader gets tired, he can be asked to change legs in the middle of the round.

Rattle

This is a game of skating and is best played with children who know how to skate somehow. But it is suitable for a large company - 10-15 people. Four leaders are selected from all, their task will be to catch the treasured item. The item can be a rattle, a flag, a bump, or whatever you find.

One of the players is given a "rattle" in his hands and he quickly flies away from the leaders. And they must catch the player in the ring by closing their hands (two, three or all together - it doesn’t matter). The rattle can be passed to other players, but only from hand to hand, it cannot be thrown. When someone is caught, other hosts are appointed and the game continues.

Fortress Capture

It would be strange not to mention this game. Still, it's a classic. But it also takes a lot of time. First you need to build a fortress, the height of the walls is 1-2 meters. 4 towers need to be made in the corners of the fortress. "Shields" are hung on the towers, ideally - sheets of plywood, at worst - cardboard. A flag is fixed on one of the towers - a piece of cloth or someone's mitten. Three circles are made near the fortress - after 10 m, 15 m and 25-30 m from the wall. It is best to lay the circles with ropes, the drawn lines will be trampled immediately.

The players are divided into two teams. There should be twice as many attackers as defenders. A supply of snowballs is being prepared, and then the capture begins. When captured, everyone is fired with snowballs, whoever is hit is eliminated from the game.

_{HOW TO GROW GREEN?}

The task on the first round is to hit each shield three times. Defenders cannot cover the shield, only shoot back. As soon as the mission is completed, the attackers go to the second circle. Here you need to hit the shields only once, but the shelling here is much more furious. In the third round, the task is the same - to hit each shield and after that ...

This is where the remaining players need to capture the flag. You can't touch each other, only shoot. If the defenders run out of supplies, they can go outside the fortress (at their own risk) and replenish them. The game is over if the flag is captured or if all attackers are out of the game.

Happy winter!

Outdoor Winter Games

Outdoor Winter Games: Over 20 outdoor winter games for kids from toddlers to schoolchildren.

Winter holidays are the time for walks and outdoor games with children. What to play with children in winter? What kind of folk games and relay races can be organized and invented for kids and older children? In this article you will find more than 20 options and ideas for outdoor games with children on the street from the smallest children to schoolchildren.

Variants of the game

For kids: players stand in pairs (adult and child) facing each other, arms spread apart, holding hands on each other’s palms (boat hand position) )

For older preschoolers and schoolchildren: Players (adult and child) stand side by side in pairs, clasping each other under the elbow.

When children have learned to play the game in pairs with an adult, they can play in pairs with each other.

How to play

Everyone starts spinning in place, saying the words:

Snowstorm, snowstorm,
Snow is spreading across the field!
Who is spinning, spinning -
He will swirl!

After these words, the couples continue to spin in place. The task is to spin for a long time and not fall.

Players spin around until they get dizzy.

The game develops the vestibular apparatus and a sense of balance, teaches you to listen to the player in pairs.

We choose Santa Claus according to the counting rhyme. Santa Claus stands in a circle drawn in the center of the round dance. He is surrounded by other participants in the game and dances around him to the words:

Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Overgrown through the oak,
Overgrown through the oak,
Rolled gifts cart:

Biting frosts,
Free flowing snows,
Blizzard winds,
Friendly blizzards,
Cold - brought cold,
A bridge was laid on the river.

After these words, the players run away, and Santa Claus catches them. If Santa Claus touched the player, then he "froze" him. The "frozen" player goes into the circle and stands there. Other players can help him - "unfreeze" him. How to unfreeze: you need to make a snowball and throw it into the circle to the “frozen” player. He must hit Santa Claus with this snowball. Santa Claus is trying to dodge the snowball.

Complicating the game:

If Santa Claus caught and "frozen" three players, they are preparing a gift for him - they make a snowman.

Everyone stands around the snow woman and leads the New Year's round dance.

We draw a large square with lines - a playground. You can’t run outside the site (if you run, you will become the driver in this game). We prepare in advance all together a lot of snowballs for the drivers.

All players run inside the court, the two leading players run outside the court. The task of the presenters is to throw snowballs at the players, trying to hit them. If a player is hit by a snowball, he is out of the game. The game ends when two players remain inside the court. They become leaders in the new game.

This is a slide game. Together with adults, children make "collars" - from sticks without sharp ends, gymnastic plastic sticks, spruce branches, ski poles, which are stuck into the snow with a sharp end and stand upright. You need to try to drive down the hill (on an ice rink, sled or even ... on a broom!), hitting the gate and not hitting them.

If the player managed to pass through the gate, he gets a token. At the end, the most dexterous player who got the most chips is congratulated.

Useful idea: Circles cut out of the package can serve as tokens. For this purpose, you can find milk or juice bags, covered with foil on the inside. You will get "silver chips" and even a big "silver medal" for the most dexterous!

Everyone stands in a circle. In the center of the circle, the driver jumps on one leg and moves an ice floe with it like a bat. With this piece of ice, he tries to get into the foot of one of the guys standing in a circle. All players dodge the ice. If the ice touched someone (touched the soles of his shoes), then he becomes the leader in the game.

This game is a winter competition of strength and dexterity for boys. Everyone is making a huge snowball. Two boys stand opposite each other so that there is someone between them.

The guys take each other's hands and pull each other towards them so that the opponent falls on someone. The task of each player is not to touch the lump with his chest or stomach. If one of the players “lay down on someone”, i.e. touched him with his stomach, chest, then he gives way to another participant in the competition. The winners are awarded silver medals for foil strength and agility.

Children stand in a round dance and stretch their mittens forward. An adult stands in the center of the circle and tries to touch the hands of the children with his hand. Children should quickly hide their hands behind their backs. If someone was touched by an adult, then he was “frozen”.

Take a toy - a bear for a walk. Put the bear on the bench as if the bear is sleeping. Go with the child (with children) to the bear and say:

Once we were walking in the forest
And we met a bear.
He lies under the tree,
Stretched out and snoring.
We walked around him,
We woke up Clubfoot:
“Come on, Mishenka, get up,
And catch up with us quickly”

("to the house").

This game requires a large number of participants - invite everyone who walks with children near you! If you are going to play in cold weather, then take an extra mitten with you, with which we will play. If the weather is warm and the players can take their mittens off their hands, let them play with their mittens.

Choose two drivers. The first driver stands in the center of the circle, the second driver follows him at a distance. All other participants in the game stand around them in a big round dance, holding hands. Everyone stands in such a way that the first leader is in the circle, and the second is outside the circle.

The first driver must throw a mitten and hit it (“tarnish”) the second driver. The players in the circle prevent him from doing this by raising their hands and beating the mitten back into the circle with them, their task is to protect the second driver.

If the second player is knocked out, then he becomes the center of the circle and becomes the first driver. To find a pair for him - the second driver - the former first driver invites someone of his choice from the circle. He throws his mitten up - whoever catches it will play the role of the second driver. And the game is played again.

If the second player is not knocked out with a mitten, then the first driver continues to play his role.

We draw two lines, there should be a large distance between them. Two Frosts are selected. They stand between these lines.

All other players stand along one of the drawn lines facing Frost.

First Frost says: "I am Red Nose Frost!"

The Second Frost says: "I am Blue Nose Frost!"

Two Frosts say together: "Well, which of you will decide to go on a journey - to start a path?"

All players unanimously answer them in chorus: “We are not afraid of threats, and we are not afraid of frost”

Two Frosts command in chorus: “One, two, three - run!”

The task of the players after this team is to run across the field to the next line, running behind it. The task of the Frosts is to tarnish the fleeing players. Those who have been tarnished are “frozen” and must stand still.

Again Frosts shout to children: “One, two, three – run!” Everyone runs back. Running players can "unfreeze" their friends by hitting them while running. And the Frosts at this time are trying to "freeze" new players.

So they run until the Frost freezes most of the children.

If a large group of children (25-30 people) is playing at the same time, then not two, but three or four frosts are selected.

The child must run across the field to the opposite line, even if he is afraid. Since who does not walk around the city, he immediately leaves the game!

Put the sledge in a circle. They should be one less than the number of children playing. Children run around the playground, spinning. At the command of an adult, “In places,” the children quickly run to the sled and must have time to take a place on them as quickly as possible.

Whoever did not have enough space - he becomes the driver in the next game and gives the signal “In places”.

Hang a bell on a bright ribbon on a tree branch, on a horizontal bar in the yard. The task of the players is to throw snowballs at the bell in such a way as to hit it and make it ring. If this succeeds, we lay out a stick or a cone for this player on the "counting field". Then we consider who managed to hit the bell more times.

Draw a large square on the ground - a playground. Several couples are playing. In each pair, one player carries the other on a sled. A pair of drivers is selected (in it, one player also carries the second player on a sled).

The signal sounds and the game starts. Drivers try to catch up with any of the pairs and tarnish one of the players. Spotting in a pair of drivers is only a player sitting on a sled. He does it with the touch of his hand.

If a pair of drivers managed to knock someone down, then this pair starts to drive in the game, and the game continues.

Play only within the designated area. If a couple violated this rule and drove outside the site, then it immediately becomes the driver (let the children announce loudly: “We are driving!” And begin to catch up with other players). You can not salt the players of the pair that was just leading.

Children make snowballs. We draw a line along which all players stand. At the command of an adult, “Throw snowballs!”, Children throw snowballs at a distance. For a range guide, we put flags or colored cubes. Whose snowball flew the farthest? To which cube (flag) did he fly? Let's try to roll even further - to the blue die?

We all make big snowballs together. Draw a start line. In front of each player is his big snowball. At the signal of the host of the game, the players begin to roll their ball from the start to the finish (at a distance of 3 to 5 meters). The winner is the one who first rolls his lump to the finish line, and the lump remains safe and sound.

An adult is leading the game.

Players stand in pairs facing each other, clap their hands and say:

Cold ice floes,
Transparent ice floes,
Sparkle, ring,
Ding, ding.

One clap is made in own hands, the other - in the hands of the player in his pair, and so the claps alternate.

The leader of the game gives the signal: “Wind!”. Children - ice floes scatter in different directions and quietly agree on who will build a large ice floe with whom. At the signal of the host “Frost”, everyone lines up in a circle and join hands (they join hands as agreed).

After the “wind” signal, ice pieces can not only run or spin, but also jump or jump.

This game can be played in the woods or in the park.

We start playing in the clearing. All players are divided into pairs. Each pair has a number one and a number two. The host of the game - an adult - gives the first numbers some objects (a cone, a stick, a piece of tree bark, a ball, a small rubber toy, etc.). The host leads the first number far to the side (200-300 meters). There they hide their items in hiding places together with the host. And the second numbers remain at this time in the clearing under the supervision of another adult. The first numbers return to the clearing.

In each pair, the first number tells the second number how to get to the conditional place and find the cache there. You can draw a plan, you can explain in words. As soon as all the pairs are ready, a general signal is given: “One, two, three - look!”, And then the second numbers run to search for hiding places. The second numbers need to run to the agreed place, find a cache, take a surprise and return back to the clearing.

Then the game is repeated with a change of roles in each pair.

For the first time it is convenient to play the game in pairs "adult and child", when children learn to clearly explain the way, they can play in pairs with each other.

On a compacted snow path, a section 4–6 m long and 40–50 cm wide is filled with water. the child how far he traveled on the icy path.

Children run vigorously and slide along the icy path, trying to ride on it as far as possible. By landmarks, we note who slipped further along the track - for example, “Olya slipped to the red flag, and who will try to green?” For kids, the game option is different: “Vova got into the wolf’s house, came to him along the path. Let's go to the house. Knock knock, who lives here. It's me, the gray wolf. And who are you? And I'm a boy Vova! Let's try to slide along the path to the fox. Who will get to her house?

Similarly, you can play on the slope of the slide by placing colorful flags or toys along the slope.

We draw a large square on the ground with lines - this is a playground for the game, which cannot be run over. We all make snowballs together. We choose a driver with a counting rhyme.

The driver tries to hit the players with snowballs, who dodge snowballs and run around the site in different directions. The one who was hit by the driver with a snowball becomes his assistant and helps him stain the players with snowballs. Those players who have not been stained with a snowball the longest win.

Draw a big circle. At four points of this circle, make a gate (their width is about 70cm).

Place more cubes between the hoops.

You will get an obstacle course of cubes that you need to go around and gates that you need to drive through.

Played in pairs. In each pair, one child carries the other on a sled, going around the cubes and getting into the gates. The task is not to knock down the cubes and get into the gate. Then the players change places.

Variants of the game:

Idea 1: The same gates can be made from sticks when skiing (gate width -30 cm), The child tries to pass through the gate without hitting them.

Idea 2: You can place the cubes so that you have to snake between them.

Idea 3: You can complicate the task by additionally placing rubber toys between the gates, which are collected “on the way” by the player sitting on the sled.

Place several items on the snow bank (for example, skittles can be used).

Draw a line at a distance of 3-4 meters from the shaft. Children stand on the line and try to knock down objects on a snow bank. The game ends when all items are knocked down.

Winter games are a lot of different activities with sleds, snowballs, skis, skates. You can not only use them as ready-made options, but also invent them yourself! I wish you all an interesting winter holidays!

If you and your children have a favorite winter game on the street, I will be glad if you share it in the comments to this article.

More interesting games for the New Year holidays with children can be found in the articles of the site:

- A creative folder for a preschooler for the New Year holidays with tasks and medals from Santa Claus

- A recipe for homemade New Year's gingerbread: fabulous Arkhangelsk roes. Our family tradition.

- Games for the whole family.

- New Year for the little ones: a collection of games, fun, poems and useful ideas.

- New Year's games for preschoolers: we play during the holidays and at the New Year's holiday. Card file of games.

- How to make a New Year's card with a child: a New Year's idea for the development of fine motor skills of a preschooler.

— Application for the smallest ones made of corrugated paper — Christmas tree postcard.

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