Winter games for preschoolers

Epic List of Winter Activities for Preschoolers

If you’re looking for winter activities for preschoolers, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find winter-themed literacy, STEM, art, and sensory ideas for the kids. Just what you need to plan a preschool winter theme.

There’s just something about winter that makes me feel all cozy and warm. Maybe it’s the thought of my ideal winter day . . . bundled up under a blanket, reading a good book, and drinking some hot chocolate.

Either way, I rather enjoy a chilly winter day. Even more so if there’s a layer of snow on the ground. Well, as long as I don’t have to drive in it.

I know a lot of preschoolers who LOVE a good snow day, too. And who really enjoy all kinds of winter activities at school. Which makes teaching a preschool theme even more fun!

Table of Contents

Below you’ll find over 35 ideas to try with the kids this winter. Honestly, it’s quite a bit more than thirty-five, because some of the links contain 20 or more ideas each. Basically, you’ll find almost everything you need to plan your own winter theme.

I’ve broken things down into a few categories for you. This will make it easier for you to find the specific activities you’re looking for. You’ll find art, sensory, literacy, and STEM activities, as well as a few additional collections.

So pick the topic you’d like to start with and jump right in!

Let’s kick things off with some creativity! Here are some art-themed winter activities for preschoolers:

Cookie Cutter Snowman Art Project
Paper, paint, and cookie cutters are all you need!

Snowflake Craft
The kids can create their own snowflake art. They can even work on patterns and symmetry while creating.

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
You can’t go wrong with a classic snowflake craft!

Winter Hand Print Tree
If your students love using their hands to create, this snowy tree will definitely be a hit.

Winter Process Art
If you’re a fan of process art, these ideas are must tries.

Next up are sensory play invitations to try with the kids this winter. If you live in an area that gets snow, don’t forget to integrate that into some of your sensory activities.

Arctic Sensory Play
Combine loose parts, fake snow, and Arctic animals for a chilly sensory experience.

Arctic Small World Play
Let the kids create stories about the animal while playing with glittery “snow.”

Penguin Sensory Bin
Instant snow and penguin toys . . . what’s not to love?

Arctic Animal Sensory Writing Tray
Kids can practice mark-making in a snowy Arctic tray.

How to Make Fake Snow with Flour
Let your students help make “snow” for the sensory table using a few simple ingredients.

Winter Sensory Bottles
A fun collection of sensory bottles to include with your winter activities for preschoolers.

DIY Snowman Kit
Put this kit together for snowman-making fun. Or just use it to create snow people out of loose parts on non-snowy days.

Icy Water Beads
Water beads and ice is such an interesting combination of textures and temperatures. Perfect for winter time.

Seek and Find Winter Animals Game
Turn an Arctic sensory tray into a hide-and-seek game.

Scooping Snowballs Pretend Play
Combine fine motor skills, sensory play, and a little bit of make believe with cotton balls.

Winter Small World Play
Using some items you can gather from nature, create some DIY milk carton houses to use in the winter forest scene.

Now I’ve got some literacy ideas for you and the kids! You can also choose your favorite winter books and build activities around those, too.

The Mitten Printable Emergent Reader
Your students can make easy readers based on the well-loved story The Mitten.

Name Snowman
The kids can craft their own name snowmen, or you can use the printable snowball letters for the names. In my opinion, you really have to add this idea to your winter theme. You can take a peek here:

Marshmallow Names Craft
Make three-dimensional names with marshmallows.

Fine Motor Snowman Letter Activities
Little fingers will get a workout as the children match uppercase and lowercase “snowballs” to make snowmen.

Preschool Winter Words
Use alphabet manipulatives and printable word mats to make winter words.

Snowball Names
Hole reinforcement stickers make great “snowballs” for a simple name activity.

Winter Songs for Preschoolers
This collection of songs will inspire some of your winter singing.

I gathered the science, engineering, and math ideas into one spot. You can add the technology aspect as you see fit – using computers, cameras, appliances (like hot glue guns), tablets, and other tools (like pipettes, scales, and scissors).

Snowman Roll and Cover
Your students can practice early math skills while playing a fun dice game.

Winter Calendar Numbers
Use the printable numbers during circle time, math small groups, or put them in your math center.

Counting Snowballs Math
Set the kids up with cotton balls and tongs. Then let the counting commence.

Engineering Winter Animal Dens
Challenge your students to create dens for winter animals using marshmallows and toothpicks.

Build a Snowflake STEM
Use three-dimensional shapes to explore the symmetry of snowflakes.

Winter Fine Motor Play
Turn styrofoam balls into wintry geoboards!

DIY Snow Building Blocks
Grab some ice cube trays to build with your own snow blocks!

Winter Snowman Activity with Real Snow
In this science experiment, children will investigate the properties of real snow!

Winter Math Activities for Preschoolers
15+ additional math ideas to add to your winter theme.

Winter Read It Build It Write It Printable Letters

Print out and laminate our free winter-themed letters and mats so your students can practice identifying, making, and writing the letters of the alphabet!

The final category is a bit of a hodge podge. Below you’ll find collections I’ve put together. Each of them has multiple winter activities for preschoolers around different themes. They’re all great additions to your next winter theme.

Arctic Animals Preschool Printables
If your class loves exploring the Arctic, these printables are for them!

Snowman Snack Ideas
Use snack time to explore literacy and following directions with snowman treats.

Free Winter Printables
Even more printables to pair with your winter activities for preschoolers.

Winter Messy Play Ideas
In my opinion, you need messy play in every theme you plan!

The Mitten Activities
More ideas to go with a favorite winter story.

Snowball Activities
For children who love all things snowballs.

Snowflake Activities
Some children are fascinated by snowflakes. If you’re teaching a snowflake theme, be sure to try some of these ideas.

Evergreen Tree Activities
Winter is a good time to explore evergreen trees, if you’re students are interested.

What are some of YOUR favorite winter activities for preschoolers? Feel free to leave me a comment below and tell me all about them.

Preschoolers learn so much by exploring the world around them. This definitely includes the weather and seasons.

It makes a lot of sense to teach a winter theme because the kids all have some kind of experience with winter. So you can build upon their background knowledge of the season as you prepare all of your winter activities for preschoolers.

This would also be a great time to talk about how seasons are different depending on where you live. Children who have lived in different areas, or kids who have traveled during the winter, will have a lot to say on this topic! What a great way to include their experiences in the learning.

Now let’s take a look at the items you might need for a winter theme! I’m a big believer in using what you already have first. So take a peek into your teaching cabinet or school supply closet before you start your planning. Make note of the materials available to you first.

Once you know the materials that are on-hand, compare them to the activities you want to include in your theme. Keep a list of any items that you don’t have. You might decide to swap out some of the materials, or you can determine how to get your hands on them.

Talk with your admin first, of course. I know some schools give teachers monthly material budgets, while others don’t. You can also talk with your students’ families or local businesses for some of the items, too. You know your community best, though.

Here are some things you might want to put on your materials list:

You know I can’t pass up an opportunity to talk books! Here are some winter book ideas. They’ll pair perfectly with your winter activities for preschoolers!

If you have too much on your plate (if you’re a teacher, I know you do!), let Preschool Teacher 101 help! We have done-for-you preschool lesson plans, literacy and STEM activities, song packs, digital games, and so much more.

Below you’ll find some resources perfect for wintertime. Click on each image for more detail. And don’t forget to join the waiting list for The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. Members gain access to current and new resources, among other benefits.

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

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

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

13. Paper Airplane Contest

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

16. Read a book

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

Winter outdoor games

Winter outdoor 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, clasped 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:

Blizzard, blizzard,
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. Other participants in the game surround him and dance around him to the words:

Santa Claus, Santa Claus,
Overgrown through the oak,
Overgrown through the oak,
A cart of gifts rolled up:
Friendly blizzards,
Cold - let the cold down,
Paved a bridge 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 “froze” three players, they are preparing a gift for him – they make a snowman.

Everyone stands around the snowman and dances around the New Year's 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 leaders 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. Children make "collars" together with adults - 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,
woke up Clubfoot:
“Come on, Mishenka, get up,
And catch up with us faster”

("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) play 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!

We 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 particles 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 segment 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 the 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 large circle. At four points of this circle, make a gate (their width is about 70cm).

Place more cubes between the collars.

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 gate can be made from sticks when skiing (gate width -30 cm), The child tries to pass through the gate without hitting it.

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.

We put some objects 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 site articles:

- 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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Winter games and fun for children on the street

November 18, 2019

Winter outdoor games for children

Autumn slush is replaced by white snow and frost - to the delight of children and parents. And along with them comes a wonderful time of the most diverse, but invariably fun entertainment. It is in winter that you can play in a way that will not work at any other time of the year.

Outdoor walks, even when it's cold, are good for kids of all ages, but don't let them be monotonous and boring. Holidays in winter should be active! Well, with snow and a bit of imagination at your disposal, you can have a great time even without any toys! Although with them, of course, winter games and fun for children will come out even more interesting.

Toddler and older

What is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to outdoor activities in winter? Probably skiing and skating. So it's great to spend time with family and friends, and in the yard, and even outside the city (it all depends on the desire, capabilities and age of the participants). But besides these traditional activities, there are many other options that children like a lot more. Toddlers and older children get a lot of pleasure by sliding down a high hill, building a fortress, digging a labyrinth or arranging a real battle on snowballs - you can list for a very long time.

Sledges and ice-boats

What is winter without skiing? Although today traditional sleds are increasingly being replaced by their modern "younger brothers" - ice cubes, tubings, "cheesecakes". And they themselves have changed a lot, they have become faster, more convenient and safer. Of course, skiing is a lot of fun, especially in a big company. But these are not the only winter games for children with sleds and ice rinks. You can offer your baby and his friends and other exciting options.

• Relay. If there are few children, make two teams of them with an equal number of participants, if there are many, then more. Draw two lines at a distance of 10-20 meters from one another (this depends on the age of the participants - the younger, the closer, so as not to lose interest). At one line, both teams stand behind each other. One child from each team sits on a sled or ice rink, the other takes him to the second line, turns and takes him back. Then he gets into the sled / on the ice, and the next player takes him from line to line. And so on, until all participants are transported. The victory will go to the fastest.
• Drag and drop. A border (line) is drawn. At a distance of 2-3 meters opposite each other and on an equal footing from the line, a pair of sledges / ice rinks is placed. Preferably the same. One child sits on them facing each other and grabs the rope from the opponent's sled. The legs of the participants should not touch the ground - it is forbidden to rest on it. The meaning of the game: to drag the enemy's sled over the drawn line (completely to your side).
• The strongest. If there are few children, make two teams of them with an equal number of participants, if there are many, then more. A line is drawn - the finish line. At a distance of several meters from it, sleds / ice cubes are placed, on which two opponents (members of different teams) sit back to back. The players of one team sit facing the finish line, the second - with their backs to it. Using their legs, some participants (sitting facing the line) should try to reach the finish line, and their opponents should not let them do this. This is a timed competition (the best option is up to 5 minutes). You can win by pushing the sled / ice cube over the finish line or not allowing it to be done. When time runs out, individual wins/losses are calculated, and then a team win is added up.
• The fastest. On a flat area covered with trampled snow, two lines are drawn at a distance of several meters from each other - this is the start and finish. If there are few children, make two teams of them with an equal number of participants, if there are many, then more. A pair of players from the same team sits on each sled, but always with their backs to each other. After the “Start” command, they begin to push off with their feet, trying to reach the finish line faster. The first couple is the winner.

Snow building

The construction of various structures from snow is one of the most favorite activities for children and even adults who have not yet completely forgotten the time when they were small. The easiest option is to have a competition to see who can roll the biggest snowball. Despite the seeming simplicity, such a game is very reckless. Especially if the winner will be entitled to some nice prize (even a simple candy will do). And from these large clods, you can then, by joint efforts, build, for example, a fortress for subsequent snow battles. Or, if there are few clods, you can be content with a giant snowman.

Of the various structures that can be built from snow, the simplest is a slide. The kids will be happy to drag snow into a big pile, then tamp it all down, make steps, and if you wish, you can still fill its steep slope with water so that it is covered with ice. Riding from such a slide on an ice rink will be a real pleasure.

Want to build something more interesting? Then instead of clods it is better to make snow bricks. Getting them is easy: take a strong box of small size, fill it with snow (tamp) and shake it out. When there are enough bricks, you can start building the planned object. It can be a castle, a fortress, a tower, an igloo hut, or something else. Lots of options. And to make the building not boring, the bricks can be tinted with watercolors in different bright colors. So it will be even more beautiful and entertaining. Such buildings develop children's imagination, train ingenuity and deliver a lot of pleasure.

Making snow

Another fantasy option is snow sculptures, the most banal of which is the traditional snowman. First, a rough likeness of the intended sculpture is constructed, and then more precise features are given to it with the help of a spatula or knife. The kids love this kind of stuff! To make the figures more vivid and durable, they can be poured with water with the addition of paints or inks. Such sculptures will decorate the playground for a long time.

And you can also lay out real patterns and "pixel" pictures from snowballs, especially if you paint them in different colors. Ideas can be peeped from those who cross-stitch or paint pictures by numbers. Just take simpler drawings to start.

Snow battles

Playing snowballs is always exciting and reckless. And with the advent of snowballs and snowballs, it has become even more fun and interesting.

You can dig trenches and labyrinths in the snow, or you can build a real fortress to take it by storm (or not take it if the defenders are better). Before the start of the battle, it is worth setting the rules: if a player is hit once by a snowball, he is considered “wounded”, and twice - “killed”, that is, he is eliminated from the battle.

Are there not enough players in the team to storm the enemy fortress? Then you can arrange competitions in accuracy. Targets are built from a variety of materials, set on the ground, hung on a wall or even on a tree. The most important thing is that the number of snowballs and throws for each of the participants is the same. The winner has the most hits.

Other winter games

• Javelin throw. Several sticks of the same size are taken, which from a distance of 5-10 meters (depending on the size of the sticks and the age of the participants) are thrown into a large snowdrift. The winner is the one whose “spear” pierces deeper or flies further - as agreed before the start of the game.
• King of the Hill. To play, you need to build a hill up to 2 m high (depending on the age of the players) or use a large dense snowdrift - this is the “throne”. It will be more interesting to play if the hill is covered with ice. One of the children climbs to the top of the mountain, and the rest of the players try to push the "king" off his throne. The player who succeeds becomes the new king, taking a place on the hill.
• Treasure search. A variety of items can play its role (as you agree). It is good to play the game on the site, near which there are several large snowdrifts (you can also pour them). Two teams are coming together. Players are asked to turn away, and the leader hides two treasures in two snowdrifts. After that, each of the teams begins to look for their treasure. If necessary, you can suggest the direction of the search - to the left, to the right or above. The first team to unearth the treasure wins.

Winter outdoor games on playgrounds

Walking in the fresh frosty air is very necessary for children to improve their health. Therefore, if the weather permits, even toddlers should spend at least a couple of hours outside every day. It is clear that just standing in the cold is not an option. The child must actively move, play.

In the previous part of the article, it was told about the numerous options for winter games for children on the street. Most of them are traditional, that is, for a long time and familiar to everyone. But in our time, we are used to using the new, and it is also in children's winter entertainment. These are wooden playgrounds that you can put in your yard.

Do you think that such a playground is suitable only for games in warm weather? This conventional wisdom is erroneous. We invite you to look at such gaming complexes from a different angle. In fact, they are excellent all year round.

A playground installed in the courtyard of the house is a worthy alternative to any winter fun that you can imagine. Not enough of your kids? Invite neighbors! As for outdoor games, together they will come up with a lot of interesting things - the imagination of the kids is not to be occupied. To begin with, adults can take the initiative and give a little hint: a snow battle "earthlings against space pirates", conquering a fortress, the defenders of which shoot snowballs, a game "who is faster" with various obstacles (rope, slide, etc.).

Do you want to quickly introduce children to each other? Play a special game "For dating" with them. Standing in a circle, they take turns calling their names and repeating the names of everyone who called them before. After everyone has met, you can organize team games. For example, make a snowman together, put a bucket on his head and try to take turns knocking him down with snowballs. Snowballs are thrown in turn by players from different teams, 3 snowballs per attempt. For a simple hit, you can give points, and then sum them up. The losing team can, for example, make a new snowman or complete some other task for the winners.

On the playground in winter, you can come up with many interesting activities. The most important thing is to choose a responsible manufacturer who guarantees the quality and safety of their products. We invite you to pay attention to the already proven company Rainbow Play Systems.

Rainbow Play Systems

The Rainbow Play Systems children's playgrounds made of wood and plastic are great for outdoor games in any weather and at any temperature, including in winter. Their materials are of high quality, and the design is thoughtful versatility, which ensures the proper level of safety, including in winter.

Even in the most severe frost, none of the structural elements will crack or deform. All metal parts (ladders, handles, handrails, chains) are covered with a layer of vinyl, which makes them not so cold to touch and they never slip. And the wooden parts are made of special types of wood that are highly resistant to frost. Plus, they are additionally covered with a protective composition.

Having installed such a platform, you no longer have to build slides so beloved by all the children - they already exist, and their surface will not be covered with ice (this one is specially provided!).

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