Snow days offer some magical surprises that kids (and often adults) eagerly anticipate.
But as magical as snow days are, they can also present a challenge for parents—how do you keep kids entertained and engaged all day?
Don’t worry! This post has you covered 30+ of the best snow day activities for kids. We’ve divided the list into Outdoor Fun, Indoor Adventures, and Community Activities.
List of Fun Snow Day Activities for Kids
a. Fun Indoor Activities for snow days
b. Snow Day Outdoor Activities
c. Community Snow Day Activities for Kids
a. Fun Indoor Activities for snow days
Indoor indoor activities can keep kids entertained and engaged when it’s too cold or stormy to play outside. Here are some creative, active, and calming options that are fun for the whole family.
1. Set Up an Indoor Obstacle Course
How-To: Use pillows, chairs, cardboard boxes, and blankets to create tunnels, balance beams, and “lava” spots to jump over.
Why It’s Fun: It keeps kids physically active and helps them practice problem-solving skills.
Pro Tip: Time each child to add an element of friendly competition.
2. Be a Snow-Day Hero (Pretend Play Adventure)
How-To: Create a mini-mission where kids “rescue” stuffed animals trapped in icy conditions (blankets). Give them flashlights, costumes, and walkie-talkies for extra flair.
Why It’s Fun: Pretend play encourages imagination, teamwork, and creativity.
Pro Tip: Use glow-in-the-dark stickers to create a “rescue path” on the floor or walls.
3. Coffee Filter Winter Trees
How-To: Kids color coffee filters with washable markers, spray them lightly with water to blend colors, then cut them into tree shapes.
Why It’s Fun: This easy craft teaches color blending and fine motor skills.
Pro Tip: Turn this into a DIY winter forest display by hanging the trees in a window or on a wall.
Source: diybeautify.com
4. Balloon Snowman Garland
How-To: Blow up small white balloons and decorate them with marker faces, paper scarves, and hats to create “snowmen.” String them together as a garland.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a chance for kids to express their creativity while decorating the house with festive flair.
Pro Tip: Add glitter or confetti inside the balloons before inflating them for a magical twist.
Source: handmadecharlotte.com
5. Get Moving with Indoor Games
A Few Ideas:
- Freeze Dance: Play music and have kids freeze when it stops. We always do this at home.
- Scavenger Hunt: Hide small toys and give kids clues to find them.
- Follow the Leader: Take turns leading silly movements, like hopping, crawling, or dancing.
Why It’s Fun: Keeps kids moving while burning off excess energy.
Pro Tip: Use glow sticks for a “glow-in-the-dark” twist.
6. Balloon Tennis
How-To: You can make paddles using paper plates and wooden spoons. Use a balloon as the “ball” and try to keep it off the ground.
Why It’s Fun: It’s safe for indoor play and helps improve hand-eye coordination.
Pro Tip: Create mini “matches” for siblings and award small prizes.
7. Winter Crafts
Ideas:
- DIY snowflakes from folded paper
- Cotton ball snowmen
- Popsicle stick sleds
Why It’s Fun: Crafts help kids develop fine motor skills, patience, and self-expression.
Pro Tip: Use glitter or glow-in-the-dark paint to make crafts extra special.
8. Baking Winter Treats
How-To: Make cookies, cupcakes, or snowball-themed snacks. Kids can help measure, mix, and decorate.
Why It’s Fun: Cooking teaches math (measuring), patience (waiting), and creativity (decorating).
Pro Tip: Try “build-your-own-snowman” sugar cookies using marshmallows, chocolate chips, and icing.
9. Family Movie Marathon
How-To: Pick a few kid-friendly winter movies (like Frozen or The Grinch), make popcorn, and create a “movie theater” at home with cozy blankets and pillows.
Why It’s Fun: Relaxing as a family fosters bonding and gives everyone a well-earned break.
Pro Tip: Make DIY “movie tickets” and allow kids to “purchase” snacks with them.
10. Indoor Treasure Hunt
How-To: Write simple clues and hide small “treasures” (candy, toys, or small gifts) around the house.
Why It’s Fun: Treasure hunts keep kids thinking critically and following instructions.
Pro Tip: Use rhyming clues to make the hunt feel more magical.
11. Reading Marathon
How-To: Gather winter-themed storybooks, build a cozy reading nook, and have a reading challenge (like 3 books before dinner).
Why It’s Fun: Encourages literacy, imagination, and quiet time.
Pro Tip: Offer a small reward (like a hot cocoa treat) for completing the reading challenge.
12. Create a Calm Down Corner
How-To: Create a cozy space with pillows, blankets, sensory bottles, and stress relief items.
Why It’s Fun: It teaches kids self-regulation and emotional control.
Pro Tip: Incorporate a “snowflake breathing” technique — kids trace the outline of a paper snowflake as they breathe slowly.
13. Penguin Waddle Meditation
How-To: Have kids waddle like penguins while holding a small ball or pillow between their knees.
Why It’s Fun: Promotes mindfulness, movement, and body control.
Pro Tip: Pair it with penguin-themed music for a playful, immersive experience.
14. Coloring Activities
How-To: Print out winter-themed coloring sheets (snowmen, penguins, or cozy cabins) and supply crayons, markers, or watercolors.
Why It’s Fun: Coloring is calming, promotes creativity, and helps with fine motor skills.
Pro Tip: Offer a mini “art show” where kids can display their artwork around the house.
15. DIY Balloon Games
How-To: Play indoor volleyball or soccer using balloons instead of balls. Kids can’t stop laughing as they try to keep the balloon from touching the ground.
Why It’s Fun: It’s high-energy, safe for indoor play, and burns off extra energy.
Pro Tip: Add “silly rules” (like hopping on one foot) for an extra challenge.
16. Winter Storytelling
How-To: Sit in a circle with flashlights and tell winter-themed stories. Each person adds one line to the story.
Why It’s Fun: It fosters creativity, builds listening skills, and boosts kids’ confidence in storytelling.
Pro Tip: Record the stories and play them back later for a laugh.
17. Paper Snowflake Garland
How-To: Fold paper squares into triangles, cut out designs, and unfold them to reveal snowflakes.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a simple, classic craft that lets kids experiment with symmetry.
Pro Tip: Use glitter glue for an icy effect and hang them in the windows for a magical winter display.
Source: Onelittleproject.com
18. DIY Cozy Hideout
How-To: Build a “blanket fort” using chairs, sheets, and string lights.
Why It’s Fun: It creates a magical space for kids to play, read, or nap.
Pro Tip: Add LED string lights for a magical “glowing” effect.
b. Snow Day Outdoor Activities
Outdoor play builds resilience, encourages physical activity, and provides a chance to explore nature in a whole new way, especially during winter. Here are some of the best snow day outdoor activities for kids to enjoy!
1. Build a Snowman or Snow Family
How-To: Roll three large snowballs of different sizes (small, medium, large) and stack them. Use sticks, carrots, buttons, and scarves to give each snowman its own personality.
Why It’s Fun: It sparks creativity as kids design their snowman’s “personality” and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
Pro Tip: Turn it into a “Snowman Contest” where each family member builds their own unique creation.
2. Build a Snow Fort or Igloo
How-To: Pack snow into large blocks (use buckets or rectangular containers) to stack into a wall. Kids can make a mini fort or an igloo big enough to crawl into.
Why It’s Fun: It’s an excellent STEM activity that teaches problem-solving, patience, and basic engineering.
Pro Tip: Bring spray bottles filled with colored water to “paint” the snow bricks.
3. Go Ice Skating
How-To: Head to a local frozen pond (safety first — check for supervision) or a nearby outdoor ice rink. Many places offer child-sized skates for rent.
Why It’s Fun: Ice skating boosts balance, coordination, and confidence as kids learn new moves on the ice.
Pro Tip: Start with skating aids (like penguin pushers) to help younger kids balance while they practice.
4. Take a Winter Hike or Nature Walk
How-To: Walk through local trails, parks, or even your backyard. Encourage kids to notice animal tracks, frozen streams, and other signs of winter.
Why It’s Fun: Kids get a sensory-rich experience while learning about nature, weather, and wildlife.
Pro Tip: Turn it into a “Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt” by creating a list of items to find, like pinecones, icicles, or animal tracks.
5. Try Winter Photography (Kid-Style)
How-To: Hand kids a simple, child-friendly camera or phone with a camera app. Encourage them to capture images of snowflakes, icicles, or snowy landscapes.
Pro Tip: Set a “photography challenge” with a theme like “close-ups” or “animal tracks.” Create a mini photo album of their best shots later.
6. Host a Backyard Snowball Fight (with Rules!)
How-To: Divide into teams, set up “safe zones” and “bases” where players can regroup, and make piles of snowballs in advance.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a high-energy activity that builds teamwork and strategy.
Pro Tip: Use lightweight, soft “snowball maker” tools to create uniform balls quickly. Create “snow shields” from sleds or large pieces of cardboard.
Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/mitrey-16277369/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5943323″>Dmitriy Gutarev</a> from <a href=”https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=5943323″>Pixabay</a>
7. Go Sledding or Tubing
How-To: Grab a sled, saucer, or snow tube and head to a gentle hill. Sleds with steering capabilities are great for older kids.
Why It’s Fun: Speeding down a hill is exhilarating for all ages, and it gets kids outdoors for hours of play.
Pro Tip: If the hill isn’t too steep, create mini “sledding races” to see who can go the farthest or steer the best.
8. Campfire and Winter Storytelling
How-To: Build a small, safe fire pit (or use a backyard fire bowl) and gather around for storytelling and marshmallow toasting.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a sensory-rich experience that brings warmth, bonding, and storytelling into one cozy adventure.
Pro Tip: Make “snow s’mores” with marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers and warm them up by the fire.
9. Make Snow Angels
How-To: Lay down flat on your back and move your arms and legs in sweeping motions to create an angel shape in the snow.
Why It’s Fun: Simple, classic, and nostalgic — every kid should make a snow angel at least once.
Pro Tip: Take a photo from above to capture the “angel” once kids stand up.
10. DIY Snow Paint Art
How-To: Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring to create “paint” for the snow. Kids can spray designs, doodle rainbows, or create colorful trails.
Why It’s Fun: It’s like painting on a blank canvas, but outside! It encourages self-expression and creativity.
Pro Tip: Encourage kids to “sign” their creations by writing their names in colorful snow paint.
11. Penguin Waddle Races
How-To: Line up the kids, have them hold an inflated balloon or ball between their knees, and race to the finish line without dropping it.
Why It’s Fun: This silly race promotes balance, agility, and lots of giggles.
Pro Tip: Add mini obstacles like cones or snow mounds to increase the challenge.
12. Make a Snow Volcano
How-To: Build a snow “volcano” shape, place a small container (like a cup) in the center, and fill it with vinegar, dish soap, and food coloring. Pour in baking soda to make it “erupt.”
Why It’s Fun: This is an easy STEM experiment that creates a visually exciting “eruption” from the snow.
Pro Tip: Use red or orange food coloring for a fiery look and turn it into a mini science lesson.
13. Create Ice Ornaments
How-To: Fill pie tins or shallow containers with water, add natural elements (leaves, berries, pinecones), and a loop of string. Leave them to freeze, then hang them as ornaments.
Why It’s Fun: Kids learn about the freezing process and get to decorate the outdoors with nature-inspired ornaments.
Pro Tip: Use colorful beads or small flowers to add more color to the frozen creations.
14. Attend a Winter Festival
How-To: Check your local community for winter festivals with ice carving, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and live performances.
Why It’s Fun: It’s a chance to experience winter magic, meet other families, and enjoy festive activities together.
Pro Tip: Make it extra special by trying local treats like hot cider or maple taffy on snow.
15. Snow Maze Adventure
How-To: Use a shovel to carve a maze in the backyard snow. Add “dead ends” for a mini puzzle challenge.
Why It’s Fun: It’s like a life-size puzzle, encouraging kids to problem-solve and explore.
Pro Tip: Add a small “prize” at the end of the maze for kids to find.
16. Shoeprint Art
How-To: Encourage kids to walk around in the snow, making patterns, hearts, or letters with their footprints.
Why It’s Fun: It teaches them to “draw” on a big canvas while getting fresh air and exercise.
Pro Tip: Create a “giant snow mural” where everyone contributes a piece of artwork.
These outdoor activities are perfect for kids to make the most of a snowy day.
c. Community Snow Day Activities for Kids
Community activities allow kids to connect with neighbors and friends and foster social interaction, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. These snow day activities are also an excellent way for families to give back, make memories, and have fun together. Look for events that are organized in your locality and allow your kids to connect with the community. Instead, you could organize one with your friends and family.
Kids learn the value of teamwork, giving back, and playing together in a way that’s bigger than themselves. Plus, they’ll make new friends and lasting memories.
Wrapping it up!
Snow days are a magical opportunity for kids to explore, create, and connect — both indoors and outdoors. Besides, community-driven events add an extra layer of joy, giving kids the chance to bond with friends and family while building memories that last a lifetime.