Snow days are magic for kids — and a fun challenge for parents trying to make the most of them! If there’s snow on the ground or on the way where you are, don’t miss these great ideas for snow fun to make the most of this family time.
If your kids are determined to get out in the snow, you might be on the hunt for some activities to keep everyone entertained.
From the classic snowball fight to the science of snow volcanoes, we’ve tried all of these ideas — and your kids will love them!
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Ideas for Snow Fun & Games
Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?
Can you create a super snowman? The classic snowman has a carrot nose, a scarf and big black buttons, but this is the time to get creative! Take some inspiration from Frozen’s Olaf and make your own snow figure.
Challenge your family to something creative. We tried a gymnastic snowman who was mid-cartwheel… it was hilariously bad, but worth the effort.
Follow the Footprints
Use your footprints to create a picture, design a pattern or follow a trail. You could also look for animal footprints in the snow and guess what’s been wandering about!
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Make a Snow Volcano
Snow, science and lava — it’s a snow volcano! All you need for this great snowy science experiment is baking soda, washing up liquid, vinegar and food colouring. Follow the very simple steps from Science Sparks and you can create a volcano in your own garden.
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Feed the Birds
With snow covering the ground, the birds aren’t able to source enough food. Make sure to top up your bird feeders, or scatter bird seed for those hungry little birdies. You’ll be a real hero!
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Create a Snow Village
How Wee Learn set up a whole road system and village layout in the snow — perfect for car-mad preschoolers who want to spend their time driving all their toy cars around.
Go Sledging
Of course, one of the most popular snow fun activities! But don’t worry if you don’t have a sledge to hand — in Ireland we don’t get enough snow to really warrant having one, but we’ve MacGyvered one before! Who knew those big blue IKEA bags would work so well?
Other suggestions for homemade sledges include anything with a smooth surface. At our local park, we’ve spotted a great display of homemade sledges, including heavy duty bin liners, the lid of a plastic storage box, summer pool inflatables (a ring and even a crocodile), several wheelie bin lids, and one child on a surfboard! Our vote for the Sledging Gold Medal, though, goes to the kids riding down the hill in a plastic laundry basket and a baby bath!
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Make a Snow Marker
Task your kids with a project to see exactly how much snow has fallen. Using simple craft equipment you most likely have at home, you can make a snowman gauge like this one from Preschool Toolkit.
Make Snow Angels
Even the littlest kid can get in on the snow angel action! This is a good activity for the end of the fun snow play, because getting covered in snow is usually the sign to go in and warm up.
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Snow Painting
A snow-filled garden or driveway is the perfect blank canvas for your little ones to create a masterpiece. With spray bottles, food colouring and water you can create the perfect tool for painting the snow, just like The Sits Girls did.
Put Your Feet Up
When you need a break from all the snow fun and games, put your feet up in your very own snow chair, just like this one from Baker Gal.
Make Snow Marbles
You can create snow marbles like these ones from Creekline House. This absolutely genius idea requires only balloons, water and food colouring… and a few hours of chill time.
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Catch a Snowflake
Take a minute in all the snowy fun to just appreciate the magic of the snowflake.
It was once thought that no two snowflakes were the same — this has since been disproved, but the magic of the snowflake is still really something to behold!
Make a Snowy Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course in your garden, using the snow as the main event. The activities could include: throwing a snowball at a target; shovelling snow from point A to point B; belly crawling through the snow drifts; pirouettes on the ice; snow angels; and pushing or pulling a teammate on a sledge. Let us know what you come up with for your obstacle course!
Take a Nature Walk
Enjoy the shimmering snow in all its glory with a nature walk. Even the most mundane walk around the block looks completely different when covered with snow.
Use your senses to listen to the wind and snow, to touch the chilly snow, and bring a magnifying glass to examine it closely. Keep an eye out for animal footprints, snow drifts, icicles in the trees, snow-covered spider’s webs, and spring flowers trying to break through the snow.
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Have a Snowball Fight
This needs no introduction — in fact, your kids will probably have nailed you with snowballs the second they step outside. Build up a snowball arsenal and add a little difficulty to the game with teams, targets or even a snowy game of Capture the Flag.
Warm Up… Before Doing It All Over Again!
When it’s time to come in from all the snow fun outside, reward yourselves (and thaw out!) with a big bowl of soup or a fortifying hot chocolate. Then get set to head out all over again…!
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Have your say! What fun things do your kids enjoy doing in the snow? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we do on a snow day besides sledging?
Plenty! Try building a creative snowman, following footprints, making snow angels, painting the snow with coloured water, or setting up a snowy obstacle course in the garden. A snow volcano is also a brilliant way to combine science with the fun.
What do I need to make a homemade sledge?
Anything with a smooth, slippery surface can work in a pinch — a large plastic storage bag, a bin liner, a storage box lid, or even a laundry basket. It won’t be as fast as a shop-bought sledge, but it will get the giggles going.
How do you make snow paint?
Fill a spray bottle with water and a few drops of food colouring, then spray directly onto clean snow. It’s simple, mess-friendly (mostly outdoors!) and gives kids a fun way to “paint” a snowy canvas.
Is it okay for kids to be out in the snow for a long time?
Little ones can tire and get cold quickly, so keep an eye on rosy cheeks and cold hands, dress in warm layers, and plan a warm drink and dry clothes for when you come back inside.
Related Articles
- 50 Winter Activities for Kids You’ll Thank Us For!
- Winter Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- 7 Simple Experiments to Get Kids Excited About Science
- Our Pick of the Most Wonderful Winter Walks for Families in Ireland
- 10 of the Cutest Winter Crafts for Toddlers to Make
Save This for the Next Snow Day
No printable this time, but it’s worth bookmarking this page or saving it to your phone — you’ll want it the moment the snow starts falling!
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