Do you live in a location where you get lots of snow? How often do you have snow storms? Do your kids get lots of snow days? What do you do on snow days? Do your kids get bored? You might wonder how can you entertain your kids during a snow storm so they’re not constantly complaining, “I’m bored. I’m bored.” Well, if you’ve run out of ideas, here are some fun snow day activities for kids!
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Outdoor Snow Day Activities for Kids:
A snow day can be so much fun. And kids love to play in the snow. And we’re all about getting our kids outside as much as possible, right? The fresh air and burning off some of that energy is great for kids no matter what the weather is like. And that’s what makes a snow day great; being able to get outside and play in the snow.
Tip #1: Watch the temperature and wind gusts. If it’s really cold, you might not want to keep the little ones out too long. And keep checking on them to see if they’re too cold and want to head back inside.
Now, here are 10 outdoor snow day activities for kids!
1. Playing in the Snow
Kids love to play in the snow. Let them run around in the snow and burn off some of that energy. Throwing it, jumping in it, rolling around in it, walking in it, building things in it. It can all be so much fun.
2. Building a Snowman
Building a snowman is a classic snow day activity and a favorite for kids. That’s certainly true for my son. Every time we’re outside in the snow he has to build a snowman. But you have to make sure you get the proportions correct, the bottom, middle and top.
Why not take it to the next step, and setup the snowman with a hat and scarf. Just like Frosty the Snowman. Give it it’s own personality.
3. Snowball Fight
A family snowball fight can be fun and another way for kids to burn off all that energy they have. We just had a snow storm recently and enjoyed a snow ball fight. Of course my husband and son ganged up on me during this snowball fight. But it was still fun and we were all laughing and out of breath by the end of it.
Tip #2 – Talk to your kids about where they can aim the snowballs. No head and face. It is not fun to get nailed in the face by a freezing, icy snowball.
4. Sledding
Sledding is a snow day staple for most. It’s good to have a nice hill in your yard where the kids can go sledding. You don’t want it too steep, but also not a dinky hill. Kids love to feel the speed as they make their way down the hill.
5. Snowtubing
Instead of a sled, why not jump on a tube for some snowtubing fun. This is similar to sledding and just as fun. Again you’ll want to have a nice sized hill in your yard for this. Or maybe there is a park or an area nearby that has the perfect sized hill that you can walk to and let your kids enjoy.
The speed they’ll feel heading down that hill can be exhilarating. You’ll want them bundled up because that bitter freezing breeze they’ll feel as they speed down that hill won’t be as much fun as the snowtubing adventure itself.
6. Snowshoeing
I’ve never gone snowshoeing, but I can only imagine how fun this can be. I’m sure if the snow is deep enough you would rather be walking in snowshoes with your kids and I’m sure it would much easier for all of you as well. They wouldn’t be sinking down into the snow soaking their boots and snow pants.
7. Ride a Snowmobile
If your kids are old enough, maybe they would enjoy a ride on a snowmobile. This is another thing I haven’t done before. But it would definitely be an easier way to get around in the snow, especially if you get a big snowstorm and you’re stuck in the snow.
8. Help Shovel Snow
Why don’t you put those kiddos to work and have them help you shovel your driveway, sidewalk, deck, porch. My son has his own small shovel and he actually loves to help shovel. I don’t even have to ask him to help. Instead he asks me if he can help. Who am I to say no.
9. Walk in the Snow
You might not have snowshoes or a snowmobile but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a walk in the snow with your kids. During our last snowstorm, we all went for a little hike in the woods next to our house. It was a nice little adventure.
10. Make Snow Angels
Making snow angels is a classic fun activity for the kiddos to do. Have them lie down in the cold, frosty snow with their arms outstretched and move their arms and legs back and forth as if they are doing jumping jacks. This will then form the snow angel. Mom and Dad, you might want to help them up so they don’t step in the snow angel, messing it up.
On the other hand, why don’t you get down and lie in the snow with your kids and make your own snow angel. Could be fun!
Indoor Snow Day Activities for Kids:
We all know we can’t keep the kids out all day in the bitter cold of a snowstorm. So if you can’t go outside or you had to come inside because it was getting too cold for the kiddos, you might need to come up with some ideas and activities for the kids if they are stuck inside.
Here are 10 indoor snow day activities for kids!
1. Play Board Games
Do you have stash for board games in the closet? This can be a fun family-friendly, fun indoor activity. Break out a board game for the whole family to play. Some favorites and popular ones are Candy Land, Monopoly, Scattegories, Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Chutes and Ladders, Life, and so many more to choose from. Make a contest out of it. The winner gets to choose the movie or have their favorite for dinner.
2. Play Cards
Another fun one like the board games, is playing cards. Set yourselves up at a table and bring out the deck of cards for a family-friendly game of cards. Why not try War, Uno, Gold Fish, Old Maid, Hearts, Slapjack, Rummy, Euchre, Spit. So many fun card games to choose from.
3. Watch a Movie
Why not pick out a kids movie, make some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch for a family movie night. This is a good way to keep the kids occupied for a couple hours when your stuck inside on a snow day.
4. Read a Book
A snow day is a perfect day to finish that book you’ve been dying to read or that needs to be finished. If your kids are older, maybe they can head to their room for a little while with a good book and wants to finish it that day. And if you have little ones do you have a book shelf with little kids books that you can sit in their room or on the couch read with them. Maybe they have books teaching them their ABC’s or 123’s, or a book about dinosaurs or cars or construction or nature or space or animals. There are so many things they can learn from books, but reading or being read to can also be a lot of fun.
5. Create Arts & Crafts
Maybe set them up with a little arts & crafts section so they can create some art. Color or paint or create some crafts. My son is always coming up with new DIY arts & crafts to create. He always amazes me on what he comes up with. And he usually creates the projects all on his own, maybe with just a little help.
6. DIY Science Experiment
You can also dabble in DIY science experiments. My son and I have done some of these and I usually get the ideas from pinterest. You can try a pumpkin volcano, tornado in a glass, bubble foam, M&M rainbow experiment, dancing rice, and so many more.
7. Play with Their Toys
Encourage them to play with their toys on their own for a little while. Some independent play. Independent play is just as important as spending time with them play board games, card games, creating arts & crafts projects or science experiments.
8. Baking with Mom
Do you like to bake? Maybe you can introduce your kids to baking. And come up with something special that you can bake together with your kids. You can even get them their own little apron. Then they would be all set and ready to bake.
Now, if you know the snow storm is coming, which we usually do, you can prepare for that day with a baking idea in mind and make sure you stock up on the ingredients before the storm hits. You don’t want to be stuck that day, rummaging through your cabinets to figure out what you can bake with the ingredients you already have in stock.
9. Indoor Campout
Planning an indoor campout in the living room can be a fun activity for the kiddos. We got our son a space tent for his birthday one year and now every so often, he’ll ask to camp out in the living room. So we’ll set the indoor space tent with his astronaut sleeping bag, along with blankets and pillows, trying to make it warm and cozy.
10. Dance Party
Try creating a dance party on a snow day. Turn the music on, crank it up and dance it out all around the house. This is a great way to have some fun with your kids while they are burning off that energy from being stuck inside. Kick it up a notch and grab a toy microphone and even some toy instruments if your kids have some, and start a marching band, singing and marching to the beat of the song.
Whether you are able to take your kids outside to play in the snow or you’re stuck inside during a snowstorm, you don’t have to hear your kids constantly complaining about being bored with so many great and fun outdoor and indoor snow day activities for kids to choose from to keep them entertained and occupied.
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