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From the moment a snow day is called, you can be sure that your kids are going to want to do two things: drink hot cocoa and play outside. After all, who could resist a fresh white blanket of snow and an entire day off from school to do as you please? If you want to up your outdoor, cold-weather fun-having game, here are some new ideas on how to play in snow with your kids and actually have fun doing it this winter. Don’t forget to bring the baby along too — you’re about to earn that cup of cocoa this year!
How to play in snow without fancy winter gear
One concern many parents have is that once their kids get out in the snow, they immediately want to come back inside. It’s understandable of course, but if you’re hoping for some outdoors time to burn off that snow-day energy, these creative and budget-friendly winter play ideas will fit the bill.
1. Hand out the shovels
You might think of shoveling as a chore, but this mundane task makes a great family game. Make sure everyone has size-appropriate shovels and then let the games begin. Who can shovel the biggest pile of snow in a set period of time? Or, can your family make a picture of a face, letter of the alphabet, or shape, by shoveling parts of your snow-covered driveway? Pro-tip: Repurpose those beach shovels and sandcastle-building tools for winter fun.
2. Give new life to familiar games
If you’re wondering how to play in snow with found items rather than risk losing your kids’ favorite toys and games in the snow drifts, simply look to nature. Grab a stick and draw a tic-tac-toe board in the snow. Use sticks and pine cones or stones as X’s and O’s so you can reuse the board several times. When you’ve tired of that, challenge your kids to a playground game with a twist. Red Light, Green Light, and Simon Says in the snow can add an extra level of challenge to the games.
3. Create snow art
Fill empty spray bottles, squirt guns, or liquid dishwasher bottles with food coloring and water to make yard-sized art. Draw pictures (a gigantic sun can add some heat to the day) or add color to a snowman or snow angel. You could even draw inspiration from the above-mentioned tip and draw a Twister game board in the snow.
Winter fun and learning go hand-in-hand
Just because you’ve got a snow day doesn’t mean you can’t squeeze in a few learning opportunities. Here are some ideas to keep kids’ minds engaged even when they’ve got a day off from school. Fresh snow and learning go hand-in-hand, or is that, mitten-in-mitten?
4. See how the snow measures up
Bundle up and go outside with the kids and a yardstick to measure how deep the snow is in different parts of your yard. This simple Snowman Snow Ruler DIY from Crayola is a fun activity to complete when you know snow is in the forecast.
5. Start a winter nature journal
While you’re walking around, keep your eyes open for any bird or animal tracks you might spot in the snow. Bring a nature journal and spend time watching and listening for new sounds and animals, then draw or describe them in your journal.
6. Discover the physics of freezing soap bubbles
Blowing bubbles in freezing temperatures can also add a fun science element to your day. Pique your kid’s interest in this phenomenon with this freezing bubble video from CNN then head outside to try it yourself.
Snow activities for kids when you can't go outside
Sometimes it’s just too cold or hazardous to go outside and you need to wait out the storm until it’s safe. Snowy day activities are a great way to bring on the winter weather fun while remaining warm and cozy inside. These ideas may work particularly well for children with sensory processing concerns as the wet, cold snow or bright glare from snow and ice can pose a challenge when playing outdoors.
7. Get creative with frozen water balloons
If your kids are patient enough for delayed gratification, grab a few small water balloons, fill them with water and add food coloring. Set them outside in the snow overnight so they freeze completely. Once frozen, peel the balloons off of the colored ice balls, then let the kids play with them.
8. Make a birdfeeder
Combine crafts with science and make a bird feeder. Take an empty toilet paper or paper towel roll, slather it with peanut butter, then sprinkle it thoroughly with birdseed. Though most of this activity takes place inside, the final product requires putting on boots and heading outdoors. Slide the roll onto a branch that you can see from a house window, so kids can watch as critters snack on their creation.
9. Make snow-inspired snacks
Anything with powdered sugar will work for a winter-themed snack idea. One fun option is using a tortilla as a snowflake canvas. Simply fold a large burrito-sized tortilla into a triangle shape and cut out bits and pieces as you would a paper snowflake. Pan-fry in a little bit of coconut oil or butter, dust with powdered sugar, and enjoy!
“Sometimes you just need fun things to get you through the long winter months, after the holiday season has passed,” Atlanta mom Kimberly Stroh wrote on her blog, Savy Mama Lifestyle. “Our family looks to indoor kitchen fun, games, and crafts. Make these Polar Bear Pretzels and theme an entire afternoon around learning about real polar bears.”
And a few final notes about winter weather safety: the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents and caregivers to dress children in several thin layers to avoid the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Boots, mittens, and gloves are must-haves.
“Layering is also important because if they’re playing outside, they may start to feel warm, and so they can take off a layer if they need to,” pediatric emergency medicine physician Lois Lee explained to Family Safety and Health Magazine.
Also, be sure to remind your kids not to climb into snow tunnels or caves they built, without an adult present. As structures melt, they can cave and fall in on children, posing an injury or suffocation risk.
