“This post was published in 2011 and updated in February 2021 -Kari
A winter with snow gives amazing outdoor activities opportunities for children. Kids are never too young to embrace winter as long as they are dressed well for the weather. The earlier you take them outdoors the more they will be taught how to embrace winter from an early age. Focusing on outdoor play when kids are little will get them to be outdoor children later and even encourage free outdoor play without you later.
These outdoor activities for children are simple but also teach science, art and physical activity in a fun way. Outdoor activities can be teachable moments but most of all they are important for mental health and foster sense of imagine in children.
Here are few snow outdoor activities we have enjoyed to do with our children over the years.
Make A snow angel
Name those tracks
Go for a hike and look for tracks, follow them or try to name them. If you can’t identify them take a photo and when you get home you can look them up. Read more here
Have an old fashioned snowball fight
Sometimes simple is the best. I’m sure you remember how to do it; my kids have added another dimension to the game with a snowball maker but no need for fancy equipment.
Play with sand toys in the snow
Trust me your kids will never be tired of this. It is so simple. Don’t put the sand toys that you used in the summer away for the winter. A bucket and shovel is as great of a toy in the winter as it is on the beach in the summer. You can use the snow the same way you use sand.
Use cookie cutters to make snow cakes
Make a snow fort
So many ways to make a snow fort, our favorite way is to make walls out of snowballs or snow blocks and use branches for roof.
Read more here
Make snow savvy kids
Instead of making a snowman make kids maybe use your kids as the models for the snow kids.
Read more here
Use the snow as canvas and paint the snow with food coloring
Put food color in water and use spray and condiment bottles. When you are mixing it inside you can teach your children about colors. Teach them about the basic colors, and how you can mix colors and end up with a different color.
Read more here
Play Snow tag
One of my favorite games that I played when I was little was to play tag in the snow in a big circle shape like a pizza. My father introduced this game to me when I was little. I remember we would play in our backyard, or even play it when we where stopping for rest on a road trip. It is a perfect way for little legs to burn off some energy. Read how to play the game here
Sledding
An old classic that never fails to amaze new generations. You have many choices; remember that often the most simple is often the best choice.
Catch and observe some snowflakes
Snowflakes are a marvel. Take a magnifying glass outside to observe their beauty. Are some larger than others? Are they all different? Can you find a matching pair? Count how long it takes for one to melt on your finger, tongue, or nose. Encourage your budding scientist to observe and your artist to sketch the flakes.
Do you know what the science explanation of snowflakes? Read the basic facts
Check out Go Explore Nature’s 31 Days of Backyard Nature Fun
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