Snowy days are great for snuggling up under blankets with a good book, but sometimes you really need to get your kids up and running around. When it is cold and snowy out, kids don’t want to go outside unless there is something fun to do.
You can hang out inside and do some cool indoor activities, but if you are getting cabin fever, head outside and do some snow activities with your kids!
These simple outdoor activities will help get the kids outside and have fun.
Simple Outdoor Activities for a Snowy Day
Build a Snowman
Building a snowman is a childhood favorite snow activity. Rolling big balls of snow across the yard is fun and can be a great activity for the whole family to enjoy. This is a great time to break out the old, outgrown, or worn-out hats and winter gear. Toss them into a tote to keep by the door for when the kids head out to play, and use them to decorate your snowman.
Sledding
Grab an old-fashioned sled and go find a hill with the kids. This fun and simple activity is a great way to get kids outside having fun and will help burn off some of that excess energy they have. So when they are bouncing off the walls inside all day, send them outside with a sled!
Ice Skating
Ice skating is a bit more complicated than other activities, but if you have a safe space for ice skating in your neighborhood, you can rent skates and take the kids on a fun adventure in the rink.
This is an easy new activity for kids that are used to rollerblading. If it is really icy out, you can simply let the kids glide around on the ice found on sidewalks and such for a fun activity.
Snowball Fights
Having a snowball fight is one of my favorite memories as a kid. Gather the kids and their friends, set up piles of snowballs around the yard, and dive right in! You can even get the kids some snowball makers to make it easy to form stacks of snowballs quickly.
Climb Snow Mounds
Climbing snow mounds. If you have a local school nearby that is closed for the day but already had snowplows to make large mounds of snow, you can swing by to play on the playground and let the kids climb on the snow mounds. This is always fun for kids and a great workout to help them sleep well when bedtime (finally!) comes.
Catch Snow Flakes
Catching snowflakes. Take a black piece of fabric and place it in the freezer to get it nice and cold, then take it out in the snow. The fabric will be cold enough not to melt the snow so that you can catch the snowflakes. Use a magnifying glass to get an up-close look at them to show your kids how each one is unique.
Make a Bonfire
Start up a fire. If you are looking for an activity that the grown-ups will enjoy, you can have a lot of fun by setting up a bonfire. This is a great way to give the kids a space to warm up by the fire while they are playing and the adults a space to relax and be social while the kids play on a snowy day.
Make Snow Angels
Making Snow Angels. If you don’t mind getting a little cold and wet, then making snow angels is a great way to have fun in the snow. All you have to do is fall backward (or lay down) into the snow and move your arms up and down to mimic the angel’s wings.
Paint in the Snow
Snow Painting. Snow is very white, but you can make it more colorful! Grab some food coloring, water, and spray bottles for a very easy and fun snow activity. Mix the food coloring and water in the spray bottle and spray different shapes and designs into the snow!
Have a Snow Relay Race
Snow Relay Race. Grab some buckets, spoons, balls, and whatever else you have on hand, and create a snow relay race. Races could include making and carrying snowballs, filling buckets of snow, or anything else you can think of. Snow has so much potential for great races!
I hope you enjoy some of these simple outdoor activities on your next snowy day!
