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Need some fun outdoor winter activities for kids to get them outside? We’ve got 35 fun ideas for children of all ages. Our collection includes active snowball games, science, snow play, outdoor art activities, and nature play. Perfect for kids of all ages and a great way to burn off energy. It’s time to bundle up and go outside.
Winter has arrived
Last Monday, we woke up to find that snow had finally transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland. My inner child still delights in that first snowfall and it has been a long time coming this winter.
There is something magical about the transformation; when the sun shines, it is beautiful. Winter in northern climes can be challenging. Winter comes early and leaves late.
Still, snow is fun when you don’t have to shovel it! If the temperatures aren’t too frigid, bundle up the family and head outside for some winter fun together.
It is time for some awesome winter activities!
Parent tip: How cold is too cold? Experts advise keeping children inside when the temperature or the wind chill drops to -27°C (-16°F) or lower. Personally, I wouldn’t send my boys out for very long when the temperature dipped below -23C (-14.8).
Too cold to go outside? Check out our epic post of indoor winter activities.
36 Outdoor Winter Activities For Kids With Snow
Snow Painting
Happy Hooligans describes how to have fun painting the snow. Unleash the kid’s creativity with some snow painting! This activity invites them to express themselves on a snowy canvas; who would have thought snow could be such a great canvas?
Painting Snow Sculptures
Snow sculpture and painting offer endless possibilities beyond traditional snowmen. Let’s welcome creations like snow cats, snow dragons, or snow teddies into our yard! Move over snowmen. There are some new snow creatures in town.
Snowball Games
Do you live in a place that gets lots of snow? Your kids will love these snowball games.
- Snowball Fight: The classic snowball fight is always a hit. Divide the kids into teams and let them engage in a friendly snowball battle.
- Snowball Target Practice: Set up targets in the snow, such as buckets or hula hoops. Have the kids aim their snowballs at the targets. Who will get the most?
- Snowball Toss: Create a designated throwing area and have the kids take turns tossing snowballs into different-sized containers to earn points.
- Snowball and Spoon Race: Similar to a traditional egg and spoon race, but with snowballs and spoons. Kids must balance the snowball on the spoon while navigating a course.
- Snowball Treasure Hunt: Find some small waterproof treasures. Place each one in the middle of a snowball. Place them all over the yard, and let your kids go looking!
Snow Castles
Step into the enchanting world of snow castles! Who needs sand when you have snow? These colorful structures bring a splash of color to your backyard. Your kids can make a castle fit for a fairy snow queen.
Snow Tic Tac Toe
Making a snow tic-tac-toe board with sticks, pinecones, and stones is easy. You could make a giant one for the winter! Get ready to play this classic game in a snowy setting!
Build A Snow Fort
Ready for some snowy adventures? Making snow forts is a classic winter activity. This guide shows you how to make a snow fort that will last. Supervise the fort building and see our notes about snow fort safety below.
Snow Faces
Creating snow faces is a delightful winter activity! Grab a circular tin and fill it with snow. Then, craft an icy snow face using natural materials like pine cones, berries, and twigs. It’s an easy and creative way to add a touch of winter whimsy to your outdoor play.
Snow Gardens
Transform your snowy landscape into a magical wonderland by creating a delightful snow garden with your kids! Setting it up couldn’t be easier, and children of all ages will enjoy arranging the flowers in the snow. The colorful flowers contrast beautifully against the white snow. Your kids will love making this colorful outdoor decoration that adds a touch of whimsy to your yard.
Fun Outdoor Activities Using Ice
Ice Lanterns
Step into a world of enchantment with these beautiful ice lanterns! Discover the art of making frozen, glowing magic orbs that turn your porch into something out of a fairy tale. These ice lanterns add a touch of magic and are a lovely way to light up dark winter evenings. You will find the instructions here. If you would like to add some color, try these
Winter Sun Catchers
Make the most of winter sunlight by crafting winter sun catchers that sparkle in the sun. Kids can design these icy creations while exploring light and color. They are easy to make and so pretty.
Too cold to go outside? Check out our epic post on indoor winter activities.
Frozen Ornaments
Transform your backyard trees into a dazzling winter art gallery by creating frozen ornaments. These icy decorations add color and art to the natural landscape. Don’t they look lovely? They make for a fun outdoor winter activity. You can find the instructions here.
Ice Sculptures
Get ready to create your own ice sculptures and colored ice blocks! This activity is perfect for kids of all ages and is a fun blend of science and art.
Painted Ice Crystals
Break out the paints and have fun painting ice crystals. Once you have finished making your crystals, arrange them in the snow. Don’t they look amazing? You could use them to create a fairy garden. This activity is very easy to set up, and kids love making them.
Frozen Ice Jewels
Creating ice jewels is as easy as it gets! Engage in outdoor imaginative play by making a set of these delightful frozen gems. They look lovely; your kids will play with them if the temperatures stay below freezing.
Ice Bowls
Want a fun winter activity for you and your kids? Try making these easy ice bowls! You can make them whatever color you want and decorate them with small natural items. These bowls are great for a snow kitchen setup—just add spoons and lots of snow for some great imaginative play.
Icicle Javelin
This activity is for older children. If you have icicles, give icicle javelin a try! Break off some icicles and see who can throw them the farthest. Just be cautious and avoid causing any damage, especially if the icicles are hanging from eaves. Let the icy competition begin!
Outdoor Winter Science Activities For Kids
Snow Volcano!
Get ready for some winter science fun with a snow volcano! This activity is a blast to watch and a perfect experiment for snow days. These chilly eruptions are a hit with kids, providing a safe way to play with exciting chemical reactions. Get ready for some snowy volcanic excitement!
Frozen Orbs
Let’s have some science fun with the kids by making ice orbs! This simple activity is like a little magic trick, allowing children to explore how water turns into ice and back again. The result is a beautiful, sparkly ice orb that will delight them. It’s an easy and fascinating way to learn about the changes water can go through, making science both fun and enchanting. Get ready for some icy magic at home!
Crush a Bottle With Your Mind
Get ready for a fantastic winter science project that will amaze your kids as they explore the principles of heat transfer. Your kids will love pretending to crush a bottle with their minds, and you can expect them to do this over and over. It’s a captivating and impressive experiment that is like magic. Get ready for some mind-boggling fun!
Frozen Bubbles
Making frozen bubbles may not be as easy as it seems, but fear not! Discover the secrets to creating the perfect frozen bubble with this straightforward guide. Your kids will love this activity.
Animal Tracks
Discovering and identifying animal tracks can be a fascinating adventure, especially when there’s fresh snow on the ground. The snowy canvas makes it easy to spot and recognize various animal prints. A field guide with animal tracks would be really helpful. Children can record the animal tracks they spot in a nature journal.
Examining Snowflakes
Lemon Lime Adventures has some simple instructions to help you examine snowflakes. If you don’t get much snow, you can see some truly breathtaking pictures of snowflakes here.
Need more fun and educational winter activities? We’ve collected 50 of them. Check out our winter STEM activities.
Tasty Treats Kids Can Make With Snow
Snow Jello
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for making snow Jello with your kids. It’s not just a delicious treat; it’s also a fantastic way to combine cooking and learning about the states of matter in a fun and interactive way. Let’s whip up some snow Jello together!
Snow Ice Cream
Indulge in a yummy winter treat with this super easy 3-ingredient condensed milk snow ice cream! This experiment uses a different freezing technique to our ice cream in a bag activity, but it is just as tasty, and kids will love it!
Maple Syrup Snow Candy
Here’s a simple introduction to maple syrup snow candy: Kids will enjoy trying this maple syrup snow candy and creating some delightful sweet treats. It’s a perfect winter activity that adds a touch of sweetness to the snowy season!
More Outdoor Winter Activities For Kids
Birdfeeders
Winter can be very challenging for our feathered friends, especially when it is very cold and food is scarce. This post from Crafty Crow lists some wonderful ways of feeding the birds. Ideas include bird food wreaths, bird seed ornaments, and bird food garlands.
Pine Cone Feeder
Transform your nature finds into a thoughtful gift for our feathered friends this winter. Making a simple and charming pine cone bird feeder is fun and easy. The birds are sure to appreciate it.
Nature Mandala
Create a beautiful winter nature mandala using twigs, pine cones, berries, stones, and nuts. These simple materials form a stunning design, especially against snow. It’s an easy and satisfying project.
Winter Campfire
Don’t think campfires are just for summer! Experience the cozy joy of an outdoor campfire. Bundle up, toast some marshmallows, and warm up with some yummy hot chocolate. You’ll find yourself feeling warm and toasty in no time!
Snow Maze
Turn your winter wonderland into an adventure by creating a snow maze! This simple and fun project adds a playful twist to snowy days, providing endless entertainment for kids and adults. Here’s one family’s snow maze to inspire you.
Winter Outdoor Learning Activity
Step into the snowy outdoors for a one-of-a-kind learning adventure! Your kids will have six winter-themed puzzles to solve. The activity comes with a free prinatble, and kids will enjoy smashing snow, solving simple math questions, and cracking codes! This unique outdoor winter learning activity promises kids a fun and educational experience.
Outdoor Winter Obstacle Course
Create the ultimate winter challenge in your backyard with an outdoor obstacle course! It’s a fantastic way to get the kids outside during the colder months. This obstacle course was designed with younger kids but can easily be adapted for older ages, providing endless outdoor fun. Get ready for some winter adventures right in your backyard!
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Enjoy the winter wonderland with a thrilling outdoor winter scavenger hunt! Bundle up in warm clothes and embark on a quest through the snow. To make it even easier, we’ve got a free printable to guide your winter hunt. Let the outdoor adventure begin!
Keeping Kids Safe Outdoors In The Winter
Winter brings a special set of challenges with it. Here are a few tips to make sure everyone stays warm and healthy.
- Keep an eye on the weather: Stay informed about the current and forecasted weather conditions to ensure safe outdoor play. Pay particular attention to wind chill as it can reduce the temperature drastically. Generally, keep children inside when the temperature or the wind chill drops to -27°C (-16°F) or lower.
- Don’t let children play on roadside snow banks: Avoid these areas as snowplow drivers or other motorists may not easily spot children playing in these areas.
- Dress for the temps: Bundle up in layers, including hats, gloves, and insulated clothing, to stay warm and protected from the cold.
- Check on warmth regularly: Monitor kids for signs of cold, like chattering teeth, and ensure they stay warm by taking breaks indoors when needed.
- Take warm-up breaks: Incorporate regular breaks to warm up indoors, preventing overexposure to the cold and ensuring everyone stays comfortable during winter play. Hot chocolate breaks are always popular.
- Wear sunglasses: Protect children’s sensitive eyes from UV rays and the risk of snow blindness by ensuring they wear sunglasses during winter outdoor activities. According to the Canadian Red Cross, children’s eyes are at higher risk than adults.
A Word About Snowforts
Building snow forts is a wonderful outdoor winter activities for kids, offering them a space to call their own. However, parents must be aware of potential dangers. The risk is that forts and snow tunnels can collapse, posing a suffocation hazard.
If your child wants to build a snow fort, consider constructing it without a ceiling so the child won’t be trapped inside if anything collapses. If your family decides to add a roof to the fort, ensure one adult is always outside, actively supervising. This way, they can quickly respond to collapses.
As we wrap up our exploration of outdoor winter activities for kids, remember that the winter offers many opportunities for fun and learning. Whether it’s creating snow art, embarking on scavenger hunts, or building snow forts, these activities foster creativity and encourage outdoor exploration and physical activity. So, bundle up, step outside, and enjoy the magic of winter with your family. Stay warm, stay safe, and have a snow-filled adventure!
