20 Snow Activities the Whole Family Will Enjoy This Winter
They're all snow much fun! ❄️
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Picture this: The snow starts coming down and you get that glorious call to let you know that school is out for the day. Now, you just have to figure out how to keep the kiddos entertained. Well, instead of keeping them cooped up inside until it melts, make the most of your snow day by bundling up in winter coats, winter gloves, and snow boots, then getting outside and enjoying some snow activities. With these ideas, the whole family can have snow much fun together while making memories that will last a lifetime.
Here, you can find classic winter activities that everyone from toddlers to adults will love, like building a snowman and going sledding, as well as more creative ways to pass the time, such as creating backyard obstacle courses and venturing out on snow scavenger hunts. You can heat up the competition despite the cold by enjoying plenty of games as well. Snowball fights, anyone? There are even a few ideas that involve winter toys, too.
If you want to keep the schooling going during the winter weather, you can also find a few STEM activities that are just as exciting as they are educational. Plus, they use things you probably already have in the house. But of course, dropping and making snow angels at any given moment is perfectly acceptable, too! So, browse here to prepare for the next winter wonderland. Just make sure you've got some hot chocolate ready to warm up when everyone gets back inside!
These ideas will pair perfectly with your snow activities:
Go Ice Skating
If you already have skates, you can head out to a frozen pond and work on your skating skills! Otherwise, you can likely find plenty of skating rinks in your area where you can rent ice skates, too.
Take a Hike
The trails near your home will look so different when covered in a lovely layer of snow. So, lace up your snow boots or snowshoes and go explore!
Identify Animal Tracks
With a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, you've got a good shot at seeing where nearby critters have scurried off to. With a little research, you might even be able to identify which tracks belong to what animal! Think: rabbits, deer, racoons, birds, coyotes, and more.
Make DIY Bird Feeders
Give your local feathered friends some love this winter by making some DIY bird feeders to set out when it snows. Start with empty orange halves, then fill them up with a variety of nuts, berries, and seeds.
Host Your Own Winter Olympics
Whether you opt for harder sports like ice hockey and skating or participate in easier activities like snowman building and snowball fights, the whole family will enjoy going for the gold!
Build a Snowman
The first snow activity that probably comes to mind is building a snowman—and for good reason! It's easy, fun for the whole family, and so exciting to see your frosty creation come to life. Check out these tips on how to build a snowman to get started.
Make an Obstacle Course
Get up and get moving as the snow comes down by putting together a DIY obstacle course in the backyard! Use items found around the house like hula hoops, cardboard boxes, ropes, baskets, tables and more. Then make sure you involve a variety of physical movements like jumping, hopping, sliding, and balancing.
See more at Happy Toddler Playtime.
Paint in the Snow
Let their creativity shine through the gloomy days when you pull out the paintbrushes. You can use paints you already have in your craft closet or make your own using water and food coloring. Either way, you're bound to see some masterpieces.
Make Snow Ice Cream
Here's a great way to make your snow days a whole lot sweeter! Using three main ingredients (evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla) you can whip up this surprisingly delicious frozen treat in less than five minutes! Feel free to add your own special toppings, too.
Have a Snowball Fight
Looking for a little friendly competition? Split the family into teams, pack some snowballs and get to throwing! The best part: you can make your own rules! Structure the game like dodgeball where each player is out if they get hit or make it more like capture the flag where someone from needs to get the other team’s flag to win the game.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Instead of just walking in a winter wonderland, make a game of it. Come up with a list of things you can see outside during the winter like a pinecone, animal prints, a perfect icicle, or a snowman, then go on an adventure to see how many the family can find!
Make a Snow Volcano
The learning doesn't have to stop just because they kids are out of school for the day. In fact, you can mix work and play with this snow experiment. Here's how: Form a small mountain out of snow around a plastic cup with an opening at the top, drop in a few ingredients, then watch it erupt!
See more at Mommy University.
Play Snow Tic-Tac-Toe
Take the classic game of tic-tac-toe and make it cooler—literally! Using the ground as your game board, draw the playing grid then take turns drawing your X's and O's until a winner is declared. You can even turn it into a competition with several rounds and players.
Play Snow Soccer
Kick off the snow day with a round of soccer in the snow. Just put together a team, grab a soccer ball, draw lines in the snow to mark your goals, and get to playing.
Go Sledding
How could we forget this classic winter activity? Bundle up and head to a nearby hill for hours of family fun. If you don't already have a snow sled, you can easily DIY one using a lid from a plastic storage bin, a baking sheet, or even a sleeping bag.
Blow Snow Bubbles
This STEM activity is so fun, they'll hardly even think of it as science. To make frozen bubbles, you'll need bubble solution and bubble wands. You can buy a bottle or make it yourself. As the little ones blow bubbles, a thin sheet of ice will appear before they crystallize and shatter into shimmering pieces.
See more at Fireflies and Mud Pies.
Make Snow Angels
This nostalgic activity is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face despite the cold. To make the perfect snow angel, find a large area of undisturbed snow, carefully fall backwards with outstretched arms then move your arms and legs like you're doing jumping jacks.
Go Skiing
If you live in an area where you can go skiing, it will be a blast for the whole crew to learn the winter sport. Consider taking lessons then hitting the slopes for a day of frosty fun.
Play with Snow Toys
There are so many snow toys to keep the kiddos entertained this winter! Snow molds for building fun snow figures, snow launchers for throwing snowballs, even snow scooters for racing down the hills. Bundle up then get outside and try a few.
Build a Snow Fort
Burn off some of that cabin fever by trying to create a new cabin... kinda. The best thing about snow forts is that they can be built in all different shapes and sizes. So, let their imagination run wild! You can even make it easier by using snow brick molds.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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