Winter indoor games
24 Fun Indoor Winter Activities for Kids [Indoor Winter Games]
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If you are looking for some fun indoor winter activities for kids, look no further. Here you will find 24 winter-themed activities and games to keep the kids busy when they are cooped up.
1. THREE IDEAS FOR INDOOR SNOWBALL FUN!
You will need:
Several sheets of white paper
Hula-Hoop
Laundry basket
Ping-Pong ball
Empty plastic soda bottle
Crumple up the sheets of paper to make paper snowballs and try one or more of the following activities with the children:
1. Set a Hula-Hoop on the floor and try to toss the snowballs into the circle.
2. Place a laundry basket on a table and try to toss the snowballs into the basket.
3. Place a Ping-Pong ball on the mouth of an empty plastic soda bottle, then try to knock off the ball with the snowballs without knocking over the bottle.
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2. SNOWBALL FIGHT
• Crumple up several sheets of paper to make snowballs. Before play begins, create a safe zone to which the children may run.
• Have one player hide (turn their back) with a stack of ‘snowballs’. The other players pretend to ice-skate, ski, or play in the snow.
• With a shout of “Snowball Fight!” the hidden player begins to throw snowballs at the players, who must run to the safe zone before a snowball hits them.
• If the snowball thrower doesn’t hit a player with a snowball, he must return to his hiding place, and play resumes.
• If a player is hit, he becomes the hidden player.
(With a larger group have 2 or 3 snowball throwers)
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3. LARGE SEASONAL TIC-TAC-TOE
Adapt tic-tac-toe to play at different seasons and holidays.
Take a large piece of poster board and draw the tic tac toe lines on it and laminate if possible. FOR WINTER…
Make winter shape templates of mittens and hats…or snowballs and snowmen.
Cut out the shapes (laminate if possible) and play as usual.
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4. WINTER PICTIONARY
Supplies:
Blackboard and chalk or a Dry Erase board. Also markers, slips of paper with different winter items/objects on each one, a container for words and timer.
Example of winter Pictionary words:
mittens, coat, snowflake, sled, ice-skates, snowman, etc…
Divide the kids into teams. The player up draws a slip of paper from the bowl and then reads it silently and hands to it to the facilitator. The player must then draw clues as to what was on their paper — their team guesses what it is. If the playing team guesses correctly, before the timer runs out, they get two points.
If the playing team cannot guess correctly, before the timer runs out, the opposing team may take one guess.
If the opposing team guesses correctly they get a point and the playing team loses a point. Most points win.
For small children don’t divide into teams, use a timer, or keep track of points. Just play until someone in the class yells out the right answer.
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5. WINTER “SIMON SAYS”
Play Simon Says according to the season and theme:
Frosty Says, The Snowman Says, The Polar Bear Says, The Penguin Says, The Gingerbread Boy (or Girl) Says, etc.
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6. HOW ABOUT A GOOD OLD-FASHION SNOWBALL FIGHT? (California Style!)
I live in Southern CA where we don’t get snow. So, each December with my older group of children we assemble about 200 snowballs using newspaper and masking tape. (Or crumpled up paper) On cold days or on days we can’t be outside, we have a snowball fight.
Divide the group into two teams. Put each team on opposite sides of the room with the pile of snowballs in the middle.
On go, each team must try to get as many snowballs on the other team’s side as fast as possible. I usually time them for about 1-2 minutes. At the stop, all of the snowballs are on the ground, and staff assists the children in gathering them into one pile and counting. The team with the least snowballs is the winner.
Of course, you have to have the typical rules: you can’t throw them at anyone, yada yada!. Have fun!! Tasha/California
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7. HUMAN SNOWBLOWER TABLE GAME
Race against time and competitors to puff your ball to the finish line.
Materials:
Large paper cups
Table
Ping-Pong ball
Paper towel tubes
HOW TO PLAY:
1. To set up, hang three large paper cups with tape off one side of a table, so that the cup openings are level with the table’s surface. Fill each cup halfway with small prizes. (If it’s a party; forget the prizes if it’s NOT a party)
2. Give the first two players paper towel tubes and explain that when you place a Ping-Pong ball in front of each of them, they must blow through the tubes like a snowblower.
(Point out that a gentle breath is all it takes to get the “snowball” rolling.)
3. Each contestant will have 15 seconds to direct the ball across the table and into one of the paper cups; if the ball goes over the edge first, that player’s turn is over. Each winner gets to pick one prize from the cup–and the playing continues until each cup is empty.
(Just play if there are no prizers. This could be an on-going winter game; if it is, have the kids decorate their paper towel tubes with construction paper, stickers, ribbon, drawings, etc.
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8. PENGUIN SHUFFLE
This is an Indoor race that challenges kids’ balancing skills – penguin style.
Materials:
Beanbag or Hacky Sack-style footbag
HOW TO PLAY:
Have children stand side by side with their “eggs” (beanbags or Hacky Sack-style footbags) on top of their feet. Players try to shuffle across the room without dropping their “eggs.” The first one to succeed wins.
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9. SNOWFLAKES KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD (A Relay Game)
Supplies: A 5-inch paper snowflake per team, masking tape or chalk
Divide children into equal teams. Use tape or chalk to mark a starting and turning point–about 10 feet apart for each team. Give the first team members a paper snowflake. At the signal, the first players place the snowflakes on their heads and clasp their hands behind their backs. They walk to the turning point and back.. If the snowflake falls off, players must return to the starting point and begin again.
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10. GO ICE SKATING
Collect plastic grocery bags. Tie one on each foot. (This will take a little time.) Have children go into the gym and play a game–but they have to skate on the bags! Basketball is a riot! From Mrs.Z/Rochester, Mi.
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11. PLAY 20 QUESTIONS WINTER STYLE!
One person picks something that is WINTER RELATED… and then the rest of the children ask “Yes -or -No- questions’ (up to 20 questions only) until someone guesses who/or what the person has chosen.
Another version of this game is to place something “Winter-ish” IN A BOX that the children can’t see. Play the game from there! (You could put in a mitten, snowball-in a baggie), hat, paper snowflake, chap-stick, etc.)
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12. SNOWBALL RELAY GAME
Supplies:
Styrofoam ball for each team
Pencil for each team
How To Play:
Divide into teams. The first child on each team will be given a Styrofoam ball (snowball) and a pencil.
On your mark- they are to bend over, place the ball on the floor, and push the ball with the pencil across the room, around an obstacle, and back to the next child on a team. The first team to finish wins.
Source:kaboose.com
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13. SNOWBALL RACE
You’ll need:
Styrofoam balls or balls of white yarn, spoons and mittens for each team.
Play this game as you would any relay race. Divide into teams. Each player takes turns putting on mittens and balancing a “snowball” on a spoon while racing to the other side of the room.
Drop the snowball
into a bucket, return to the team, pass the mittens, and go to the back of the line. The first team to complete the race wins!
Source: Amazingmoms.com
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14. JACK FROST GAME
Materials: Draw Snowball, snowflake and icicle shapes on paper…chairs or carpet squares, tape
Divide kids into 3 groups–
• The snowballs
• The snowflakes
• The icicles.
Tape one labeled paper shape on each child to indicate what group they are part of. Have the children sit in a circle on chairs or carpet squares.
Choose one child to be Jack Frost and have him/her stand in the center of the circle.
Remove Jack Frost’s seat from the group so there is one seat less than the number of kids playing the game.
Begin by having Jack Frost call out ONE group name—such as “snowballs” (or one of the other two)
When a group hears their group name called, the children of THAT group run to a NEW chair in the circle.
(All in that group switch seats) At the same time, Jack Frost tries to get into one of the empty seats…
Whoever is NOT in a seat is the NEW Jack Frost.
Jack may also call out SNOWSTORM! If so…All kids find new seats!
I first thought this game is only for younger children; however, even 3-5 graders wanted to play too! I join in and play with them. Laugh and have a good time. When adults laugh and play too…the kids have a better time! Barb
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15. MARSHMALLOW SNOWBALL FIGHT
Do you have a ‘small’ group? If so, during the winter months when children can’t get outside or if you live in a warm climate and want to have a snowball fight— use large marshmallows.
The children stand across from each other and start throwing. Put the marshmallows into containers. The side that makes them all disappear first wins. After they all hit the floor you can use again to throw some more.
Remind the children they can’t eat them after they hit the floor or ground! This is a fun activity for ages 3 and up.
(My older grandchildren love to do this all year round when they visit, they bombard grandpa! Barb)
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16. SNOWBALL OVER THE MOUNTAIN
Supplies:
Sheet
White balloons are blown up
Adults to help
How To Play:
Children are divided into two teams. A sheet (the mountain) is held above eye level between the two groups by adults or tall youth (holding each end). Each side throws snowballs (white balloons) over to the other side. Adapted from kaboose.com
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17. SHOEBOX SKATING RELAY RACE
Supplies:
- Tootsie Rolls (1 for each child)
Shoebox for each team, Bell for each team
2 mittens for each team
2 bowls for each team
How To Play:
• Place tootsie rolls, in a bowl, at the opposite end of the room.
• Divide the children into two or more relay teams.
• Explain that when you say, “GO” the first person on each team will put on the mittens, step into the shoe boxes, and race to the other end of the room.
• They are then to pick up a tootsie roll out of the bowl and race back to their team still wearing their mittens and shoe boxes.
• Pass the mittens and shoebox to the next person in line, sit down, eat your tootsie roll.
• The first team to finish eating their tootsie rolls wins! Adapted from Kaboose.com
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18. DRESS YOUR TEACHER RACE!
• Have a large area with two adults and their own gloves, hats, coats, scarves, and boots laying next to them.
• The children l line up in front of one of the adults and one at a time run up and place an item of winter on the adult.
• The first team done, wins.
• Children love the excitement of this game and it also gets a lot of energy out on days it is too cold to go outside!
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19. SNOWBALL THROW
Supplies: A line is drawn or taped on the floor –pre-made tissue paper snowballs.
How To Play:
• Set a time for 2-3 minutes.
• Yell, “GO”!
• Each team throws their tissue paper snowballs back and forth across the lines.
• When the timer goes off, the team with the LEAST amount of snowballs on their side wins.
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20. A FLORIDA SNOW IDEA
My kids (all ages) have a great time balling up old newspapers and then taking the “snowballs” outside for an old-fashioned snowball fight. Just remember that newspaper can leave inky hands… you could also use that rejected copy paper that is saved in a trash bag or large marshmallows (both read about elsewhere on this site) for warm climate winter game ideas! From Casey
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***Idea: PLAY COLD BALL using a large white Styrofoam ball…the same way you would play “Hot Potato”.
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21. PASS THE ICE (Young kids)
Play just like hot potato only with an ice cube. When the music stops… clap for the person with the ice.
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22. PASS THE SNOWBALL – Circle Game (For younger kids)
When you have snow–make a couple of snowballs and freeze them until they are very hard.
Have the children put on their mittens. and play the “Wonder-ball game”.
While passing the snowball around the circle have children memorize and say,
“The wonder ball goes round and round. To pass it quickly, you are bound. If you’re the one to hold it last. The game for you has quickly passed. Out goes Y-O-U!”
The children sit out the rest of that round (or you can have them stay in–it’s your choice how you play this part)
The kids will think it’s fun wearing their mittens during the inside time–to play this game.
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23. INSIDE SKATING RINK
There have been several games here describing games that simulate “indoor ice-skating”. This is what we do with our kinder-program. We make a skating rink on the carpet by placing the tape on the floor as an outline and then put wax paper on the children’s shoes.
They really like to do this—and it’s also good for indoor large motor skills. (Sarah/Oakbrook)
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24. WINTER ‘MAGAZINE’ SCAVENGER HUNT
Materials:
10-12 magazines for each team
Scissors for each team
Construction paper
Glue or stapler
Create identicle lists of winter items.
Example: snow, mittens, gloves, ice skates, winter coat/jacket, sled, hot cocoa, ice, snowman, igloo, earmuffs, scarf, polar bear, Christmas tree, holiday toys, a winter scene, Holiday food, etc.
1. Divide the players into two or more teams.
2. Give each team a stack of magazines, scissors, and a Scavenger list
3. Have teams search the magazines for the items on their list to cut out. Glue or staple to the construction paper.
The team has found the most items at the end of the time wins. (Remember this activity-it can be adapted to any other time of the year!)
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HAVE FUN WITH THE OTHER WINTER PAGES!
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Hot Cocoa Recipes and Fun
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Winter Outside Snow Games
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Winter Outside Fun
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Winter Inside Fun
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Snowman Themed Games…
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Snowman Themed Arts and Crafts
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Miscellaneous Snowman Ideas
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Snowman Themed Snacks
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Reindeer Theme
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Snowflake Theme
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There you have it, 24 fun indoor winter activities for kids.
We hope you enjoy these activity and games and that you can make your day indoors a memorable one.
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24 Winter Indoor Activities to Keep You From Going Crazy
My sister, bless her heart, lives in Michigan.
I live in Texas.
One of our favorite conversations is about the weather. It’s January and she has seen a negative fifteen and had warnings that tell them not to go outside more than ten minutes if they have any skin exposed; whereas I am able to enjoy the mid-50s most of the time.
So, this article is for her. With three little ones under the age of six, having a game plan for indoor kids activities is always a good idea. To supply her with even more ideas, I drew up this list of winter indoor activities that will keep the family entertained.
Winter Indoor Activities for Kids
1. Homemade Handprint Twister
I love that this game is a two-in-one deal.
For the first part of it, your kid gets to make their twister game, for the second part, they get to play their created game.
Part of the reason the author over at Pint Sized Treasures created this game was so their children could work on learning their colors as well. Love it!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
2. Candy Cane Goo
Sadly, this doesn’t have candy canes in it, but the good news is that it does have stuff you already have around the house.
What’s really cool is that the blogger over at Science Sparks made it educational as well. For the little ones, it is a sensory item. For the older kids, it is still fun to play with and they gave the science details to go along with. Very neat!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
3. Sumo Boys
Why are some of the most fun things sometimes totally slip our minds as adults? In this idea, Allison at All for the Boys comes up with a game of sumo wrestling simply by using pillows and the boys’ father’s T-shirts!
Now that I think about it, this one might not be first on my mind because it gets a bit noisy… but look at what fun they are having.
It might be worth it!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
4. Snow Ice Cream
If you have never had snow ice cream, I recommend you find somewhere with a decent amount of snow and make some.
My mother and I made some when I was little and I loved it. Back when my girls were younger and we lived in Delaware we had a major snowstorm that shut us down for days and I did the same for them, falling in love with snow ice cream all over again (and learned what whipping cream was all at the same time… it was magical!).
This recipe comes from Ali over at Gimme Some Oven.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
5. Indoor Camping
Charlene over at My Frugal Adventures goes into details about how they made summer fun inside during the winter.
I get this because I, personally, am not a fan of winter after a while. As an adult, I typically deal with the winter blues at around mid-February. Even in Texas!
As a child, though, on days when we had snow days at school, I would set up our living room (the one with the big window) with a tent and our bathroom would be the beach- complete with a pool and a tanning area.
I did this while my mother was at work, think of what we can do as parents to participate in this fun activity that helps us all to remember that winter is only temporary!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
6. Use Your Resources
So many people think that television for kids is bad. I am not about to suggest putting your kid in front of a movie screen and walking away for eight hours a day but sometimes using the internet can be your resource.
When my oldest was little, I would allow her an hour a day. Sesame Street was her favorite. During that time I got a lot done.
In Tiffany over at Spark & Pook’s post, she tells you of some YouTube videos that not only get your kids’ attention, but it gets them up and moving as well. That works to the parents’ advantage!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
7. String Obstacle Course
I did this with my girls a few years back and they loved it.
Mine was done in a hallway and it was much higher up. The string was taped to the wall.
Jamie over at Hands On As We Grow did hers a little bit differently. For one, she used chairs and did it lower down. Also, she helped her children learn their number bonds as well. Don’t know what number bonds are? Head over to the blog and find out!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
8. Laundry Basket Skee Ball
I’m excited about this one.
Anytime we go to the arcade, this is the game I go to first. How fun it is to be able to re-create it at home! Thank you to Sara over at Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
9. Bozo’s Grand Prize Game
If you want to do something similar, but don’t have the stuff to make skee ball, opt for Bozo the Clown’s Grand Prize Game. I was young when that show was on (not in school yet) but I loved to watch those kids get up there and try.
You don’t have to use a ping-pong ball or the buckets – be creative.
Also, I hope you have as much fun as those kids who were on the game show!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
10. Indoor Snow Games
What a fun idea: to make fake snow and have fun with it almost the same way you would if you were outside. No cold, no melting, just fun.
Jillian over at Confidence Meets Parenting even gives you ideas for how to make the snowballs.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
11. Paper Bag Snowman Puppet
How cute are these snowmen? Using tape as a scarf, googly eyes, and buttons. The best part is if you are reading this because you are already stuck inside and you don’t have these things on hand- just relax, and use markers!
Don’t have white paper bags? Make gingerbread men puppets. Get creative- bring the kids in from the beginning, you never know what they might come up with.
But to see exactly what Rachel did to make these, head over to her blog at I Heart Crafty Things.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
12. Color a Box
The article written by Kylie over at The How-to Mom talks about different ways to keep toddlers busy and helps them not destroy the house.
When I saw this picture though, I knew I had to bring up the idea of cardboard boxes because guess what? If you give my twelve-year-old some cardboard, she will be busy for hours. Just two months ago she built a house for our Elf on the Shelf, Zoey, to hang out in while she was visiting us.
Cardboard is an important creative tool for children of any young age!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
13. Word Building Charades
This is one of the cutest ones I have seen yet. The author over at Understood has word building charades. It goes like this: You stand tall for big letters, straight for regular letters, and for letters that go below the line, you crouch down.
She gives the example of Bag.
Head over to the site to see it for yourself.
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14. Cut Out Snowflakes
We’ve already had snow fights but what about the snowflakes themselves? This craft is from It’s Always Autumn and it has templates and a video tutorial if you or your little one is stuck and don’t know what to do next.
I always enjoyed making snowflakes though I am not as good at it as my older one. She decorates my classroom with them during wintertime!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
15. Bake Some Bread
Baking bread is such a fun process and has sensory aspects to it as well. Getting your kids in the kitchen is fun for both them and you. Set them up on the counter (but stay nearby) and let them help add ingredients, mix, and knead the bread. Even cleaning up is fun for them when they are little!
Even better- baking means warming up your home and giving it a good smell.
The author, Cynthia over at Rolling Prairie Readers, gives suggestions on helping little ones feel like they are giving back to society.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
16. Memory Game
Personally, I love activities that have creative steps before actually getting to play. First, have fun making the actual memory cards as an afternoon craft with your kids. Then, enjoy countless nights of memory game fun that even your tweens will enjoy.
There are so many benefits to memorization games besides watching your family spend time together. Improved problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and not to mention brain exercise in general. The best part? It’s super easy to clean up afterward.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
17. Garbage Bots
Here’s a cool craft you can do indoors to pass the time that is great for the whole family. Plus, you probably already have all the materials you need right in your house. Unless you’ve taken out the recycling lately.
Get the creative juices flowing and watch your garbage transform into new toys for the kids. Make sure you wash everything really well and to be extra careful with sharp edges on tins.
Things could get messy with all the cutting and pasting but this entertaining indoor activity is worth the extra clean up time.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
18. A Minute to Win It Games
I’m not big on games, especially board games but sometimes a minute to win it games wins out. My favorite one is the one shown above, where you take a straw and blow in it, seeing who gets their ping pong ball over the line faster.
For more ideas, head over to Kid-Friendly Things to Do.
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19. Snow Globe
My oldest, who is 12, loves snow globes. This craft would be right up her alley. She’s an artist through and through.
The best part of this craft is it takes little effort on the adult’s part. Simply let them color their paper snow globe and then add the other ingredients.
The full tutorial can be found over at Fireflies + Mud Pies.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
20.
Marble MazeThis is another double layer activity that looks like so much fun. Help them with the first part of coming up with the maze and then let them use the marble to get it in one area and out the proper area.
I like this one because it is good for older kids as well.
For full details, check out Little Bins for Little Hands.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
21. Karaoke
I originally was just going to suggest having a karaoke contest but then came across this little gem over at I Heart Arts n Crafts. For little ones, this would be a lot of fun and make them feel even more glamorous as they sing along to their favorite songs.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
22. Moon Sand
My girls received bags of moon sand a few years ago and had tons of fun with it. Heck, even I got involved, squishing the sand between my fingers. When I learned how easy it was to make though, I just had to recreate it for myself.
It was pretty well true to what we had bought. So fun and yes, you can still see me squishing the sand through my fingers!
The full tutorial can be found over at Lesson Learnt Journal.
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
23. Spinning Nerf Target
Here’s a fun one that even adults will want to play. I mean, they already do, don’t they? The only difference is instead of shooting the target with a nerf gun, they shoot with a bullet style gun.
Obviously, the way this is created is a bit different (and much lighter), but the concept is the same.
So, this is a game, created by our friend over at Frugal Fun for Boys, that will grow with them!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
24. Fizzy Drinks
After they’ve had all the fun they can muster, they will probably be ready for a treat. This fizzy lemonade made over at Learn with Play at Home is a fun idea to keep their minds active and quench their thirst all at the same time.
Just be sure to follow the recipe!
Try this Winter Indoor Activity
Sanity Saving Winter Indoor Activities
I know it won’t be long before we are all aching for the cool, but warmer, days of spring. Until then, I hope these ideas keep you and your little ones active enough to break the winter blues cycle!
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Yes NoWinter outdoor games for children | Card file on the topic:
Winter outdoor games for children
SNOWFLOWERS - FLUFFIES.
Option 1. Children move in a crowd around the snowman, turning around at the same time. After some time, the direction of movement changes, the round dance is spinning in the other direction. An adult says:
"Snowflakes - fluffies got tired on the fly,
They stopped spinning, sat down to rest."
The players stop, squat. After resting a little, they resume the game.
Option 2. Children are freely distributed around the playground or hall, arms to the sides.
Then they begin to spin and say the words:
"Snowflakes - fluffy little ones got tired on the fly,
They stopped spinning, sat down to rest."
At the end of the words, the children squat down.
Rules: spin calmly.
Dosage: 4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
WHITE HARE SITTING.
On one side of the site, a house of hares is marked. On a signal, the children go to the middle of the playground and stand in a circle. In the middle of the circle, the child named by the adult becomes, he is a bunny. Children, together with an adult, pronounce the text and perform the appropriate movements:
Little white hare sits,
He moves his ears.
Like this, like this
He moves his ears.
It's cold for the Bunny to sit,
It's necessary to warm the paws,
Clap, clap, clap
It is necessary to warm the paws,
It's cold for the Bunny to stand,
The Bunny needs to jump.
Skok - hop, hop - hop,
Bunny needs to jump. feet
Someone scared the bunny,
The bunny jumped and ran away.
Adult claps his hands. The children, together with the bunny, run away to their house.
Rules: perform movements according to the text, jump with both feet.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
WINTER HAS COME!
Children scatter around the playground and hide, squatting behind snowy ramparts, a hill, a snowman, etc. An adult says: “It’s warm today, the sun is shining, go for a walk!” Children run out of hiding places and scatter around the playground. To the signal: “Winter has come, it’s cold! Hurry home!” Everyone runs to their places and hides again.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
SNOWFLAKES AND WIND.
Children gather in a circle and hold hands. At the signal of an adult: “The wind blew strong, strong.
Fly away, snowflakes! "- they scatter in different directions around the site, spread their arms to the sides, sway, spin. The adult says: “The wind has died down! Come back, snowflakes, to the circle. Children run into a circle and hold hands.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
BEWARE, I WILL FREEZE.
All players gather on one side of the court, an adult with them. “Run away, beware, I’ll catch up and freeze,” he says. Children run to the opposite side of the playground to hide in the "house".
Dosage: 3-4 times.
T. I. Osokina “Games and entertainment for children in the air
FROST.
Santa Claus is selected with the help of a rhyme.
You are green, you are red,
You are in a fur coat, you are in a sash,
You have a blue nose,
It's you, Santa Claus!
All the children run away, and Santa Claus tries to touch any player and freeze him.
Frozen stands motionless in any position.
Rules: you can run up only after the end of the rhyme. At the time of freezing, you can take any position. The winner is the one who never got caught by Santa Claus.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
A. V. Keneman, T. I. Osokina "Children's outdoor folk games"
(Belarusian folk game)
WINTER FUN.
Children stand in a circle. An adult pronounces the words:
Let's take a little snow,
We make snowballs in our palms.
We crossed them together -
Our little hands warmed up.
And now it's time to create,
Make a snow woman.
They rolled lump after lump,
hoisted each other.
Third, small room from above.
The snow was then shaken off the hands.
Rules: children repeat the poem after the teacher and perform movements according to the text.
Dosage: 3-4 times.
KK Utrobina "Entertaining physical education in kindergarten"
FROST - RED NOSE.
Two houses are marked on opposite sides of the site, players are located in one of them. In the middle of the site, the leader becomes facing them - Frost - Red Nose. He says:
I am Frost - Red nose.
Which of you dares
Set off on a journey?
Those who play in chorus answer:
We are not afraid of threats,
And we are not afraid of frost.
After that they run across the playground to another house, Frost catches up and tries to freeze them (to touch with his hand). The Frozen ones stop at the place where Frost overtook them, and stay like that until the end of the dash. Frost counts how many players managed to freeze. This takes into account that the players who ran out of the house before the signal or remained in the house after it are also considered frozen. After each dash, a new Frost is chosen. At the end of the game, the result is summed up, they compare which Frost froze more players.
Rules: run across the playground after the end of words; the frozen ones stop at the place where the Frost overtook them.
Dosage: 3 times.
T. I. Osokina "Games and entertainment for children in the air"
Winter fun: 17 active games and other outdoor activities
1. Modeling a snowman and other figures
Photo: AllaSerebrina / Depositphotossnow means it's time to build a snowman! You can not limit yourself to a standard snowman with a bucket on your head, but show your imagination and make something unusual. Watercolors or gouache, old clothes and any other props that come to mind will help you with this.
Show your imagination ☃️
- 20 snow figures that are easy to make by yourself and with children
Also, making a snowman can be turned into a fun game: who will roll up the biggest ball in a limited time. To do this, you need to divide into teams (it is better that there are no more than two participants in each), note the time (5 or 10 minutes) and give a signal to start the competition. After the time runs out, the participants determine the largest ball, and those who blinded it become the winners.
The resulting snow globe can be made the basis for a common large snowman.
2. Building a slide
You can build an ice slide on your own property or even in the city yard. It is not difficult to make it: heat the snow, tamp it down, fill it with water and wait until it freezes. Children will be happy, especially if you involve them in the process.
3. "King of the Hill"
For this game you need to find a high snowdrift of dense snow or throw a snowy "mountain" yourself. Its height depends on the age of the players.
One of the players rises to the top and becomes its "king". He must prevent the rest from taking the "throne", because the goal of each other participant is to become the king of the hill himself. Since during the game the participants will often fall, it is necessary to take care of safety: make sure that there is a layer of soft snow under the “mountain”, and there are no fences, trees, corners of buildings and cars nearby that you can hit or get hurt.
4. "Icicles"
For this game, a circle with a diameter of about 5 meters is drawn on the snow with a small depression in the center. 10-12 pieces of ice are placed in it. It does not have to be just pieces of ice: you can use small pieces of wood, cardboard, and so on.
Players choose a driver who stands in the center of the circle. The rest of the participants are distributed outside of it. Their task is to pull (or knock out) all the ice pieces outside the playing area. Players can enter the circle, and the driver can only be inside it. If the driver touches one of the participants, the "singed" takes his place. The game ends when all the pieces of ice have left the playing area.
5. Snowball fights and building snow forts
Photo: YanLev / Shutterstock Both adults and children love to play snowballs, as it is a great opportunity to spend time actively with friends or family. The construction of snow fortresses will help to diversify the process.
In this case, the snowballs will turn into a full-fledged snow battle. You can introduce a rule: the one who is hit by a snowball is out of the game.
6. “Who is on the mountain?”
For this fun, a large snowball is molded, which will play the role of a mountain. Participants stand around him, holding hands. On command, each of them must pull the neighbors to the "mountain" and try not to fall on it himself. Those who still touched the “mountain” are eliminated.
7. Dodgeball
To play this game, the participants stand in two lines opposite each other. There should be 3-4 steps between players, and 12-15 steps between lines. A leader is also selected who will give commands. He must either know the participants by name, or distribute them by numbers (the same for both teams). The host calls the names or numbers of the participants, and after they have responded, commands: “Pli!” After that, the named players must make snowballs and throw them at each other.
It is allowed to dodge and crouch, but not to move. The one who is hit by a snowball is out. The participant who “knocked out” his opponent can throw a snowball at any of the opposing team. The team with no players left loses.
The facilitator must give instructions quickly so that the game does not stall and is fun.
8. Vorottsa
Photo: tammykayphoto / DepositphotosOrdinary slides can be made even more fun. Below, under the hill, build a gate of snow, sticks without sharp ends or spruce branches. They do not have to be in the center of the descent, because the task is just to slide down and get into the gate. You can ride on anything: on a snow scooter, ordinary sleds, tubing or just on an ice rink.
9. "Battlefield"
For this game, you also need to split into teams: "shooters" and "targets". "Targets" are divided into two lines and stand 15 steps opposite each other. The “arrows” do the same, standing in two lines perpendicular to the “shooters”.
The resulting square is the battlefield.
On a signal, one of the "targets" group runs to his teammates from the opposite side. His task is to dodge snowballs, and the goal of the “shooters” is to hit the runner on the spot in order to knock him out of the game. As soon as one of the "targets" ran to another line or dropped out of the game, the next one starts moving from the opposite side. After several rounds, the teams change places.
10. "Snowball tag"
For this fun, you need to designate a large square, which will become a playground. All players are on it, except for two drivers. It is impossible to run outside the square, otherwise the offender will join the drivers. They must hit the rest of the players with snowballs: in this way, the drivers knock other participants out of the game. You can add a rule that the dropouts also throw snowballs. Those two, in which they could not get into, become the new drivers.
11. Winter football
If you miss summer and its entertainment, arrange winter football! Mark the goal in the snow, split into two teams and simplify the rules a bit, because playing in the snow is not only more fun, but also more difficult.
For example, you can cancel goalkeepers and not penalize random handball.
12. Sled racing
Photo: d.travnikov / DepositphotosYou can arrange real races on sleds if you divide into crews: one person is carrying, the other is driving. You can come up with a difficult route or just compete on a straight line. It is best if parents or older children are carrying.
In another version of the race, you can remove the drivers so that the “riders” ride on their own with the help of their legs. To do this, it is better to find a flat area and mark the start and finish lines on it. For more fun and excitement, participants can sit on the sled in pairs.
Another variation of sled racing can be the relay race. In this case, it is also desirable to choose a flat area with marked start and turn lines. To do this, you need to break into teams with an even number of participants in order to make several pairs of them. The first crews get on the line, start at the signal, reach the opposite side of the site, turn around and come back.
Then the next pair goes. The team, all the “crews” of which complete the relay faster, wins.
To add to the fun, you can come up with additional conditions. For example, leave one sled for each team so that the “crews” change every time. Or arrange a relay race in which each participant must pass his stage himself, sitting on a sled and pushing off with his feet.
13. "Who is stronger"
You can also arrange an analogue of tug of war on the sled. To do this, two participants sit on the same sled with their backs to each other and with the help of their legs try to leave each in their own direction. Also, one participant may try to leave, and the second must slow him down.
There is a third version of this fun: participants on two sleds are placed opposite each other. Each holds a rope from the opponent's sled. On a signal, they should try to pull each other to their side.
Unfortunately, not all regions of our country have enough snow in winter for the activities described above.
Therefore, we offer several options for a situation where there is little or no snow at all.
14. "Two Santa Clauses"
For this game, with the help of a rhyme, you need to choose two drivers - Santa Clauses. After that, mark two lines at a distance of 15-20 steps. On one of them stand the rest of the participants.
To add a New Year's mood (especially if children are playing), Frost can say: “I am Red Nose Frost!”, “And I am Blue Nose Frost!” Then they give a start to the beginning of the game: “Well, which of you will decide to go on a path?” The players answer: “We are not afraid of threats, and we are not afraid of frost!”. And the Frosts command: "One, two, three - run!"
After that, the players run to the opposite line, and the Frosts must touch the participants so that they stop on the spot - “freeze”. When all the players, except for the “frozen”, reach the goal, the drivers give the command for the next start. During each subsequent race, participants can “unfreeze” less fortunate teammates with a touch.
Another version of this game involves dividing the participants into two teams and standing facing each other so that there are 15–20 steps between groups. Frost is chosen from each team. On a signal, one player runs out from both sides. Their task is to run to the opposite team. Frosts, on the other hand, try to hit the members of the other team with snowballs in order to “freeze” them. "Frozen" should freeze in place. As soon as the player reaches the opposite side or is “frozen”, the next one starts moving.
15. “North wind, south wind”
For this game, participants choose two drivers. One becomes the North wind and the other becomes the South. The rest of the players run around the court. The north wind catches the contestants and "freezes" them to make the contestants stop. And the South wind “thaws”, touching them with his hand and saying loudly: “Free”. Moreover, the South wind can also be “frozen”.
It is best if the game takes place on a limited area, and the South Wind could not be frozen permanently - for example, only for the time in which he counts out loud to 30.
16. Twelve Sticks
To play Twelve Sticks, you will need a wooden board set on a stone or block so that one part of it is up and the other is on the ground or snow. It turns out a kind of "swing". On the half of the board that lies on the ground, put 12 small sticks. The first driver is also selected.
The game begins when one of the players, having stepped sharply on the top edge of the board, scatters the sticks. After that, the driver must collect them, and the rest are hiding at this time. The task of the driver is to find them. Having learned where one of the participants is hiding, the driver must loudly shout his name, and also indicate the place where he took refuge. If the driver named everything correctly, the one found should go out.
While the driver is searching, one of the participants can imperceptibly run up to the board and, shouting “Twelve sticks are flying!”, scatter the sticks again. While the driver collects them, all the detected players can again hide, and they will have to be searched again.
