Tired of winter yet? Hang in there! I have 10 terrific snow activities to keep your kids entertained and busy (indoors and out) during these last few cold and snowy weeks of winter.

Kids LOVE playing in the snow.  While we adults might not LOVE the cold temperatures and being up to our knees in white fluffy stuff, there’s no doubt about it, snow is the best part about winter for a child.

I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but we have a TON of snow here.  It’s been piling up for weeks, and it seems like every other day, another storm blows through.  The snow in the yard is so deep that I can’t imagine spring will never get here.  Because we’ve had so much of it, and for so long, I’ve had to come up with some creative ways to keep the snow play fresh and exciting around here.  don’t get me wrong, my toddlers and preschoolers love building snowmen and snow slides, and making snow angels, but truth be told, that’s getting a bit old.

To keep the kids excited about bundling up and going outside in these last few weeks of winter, I’ve been thinking up all kinds of fun and creative snow activities. And today I’d love to share some of my favourites with you!

All of these winter activities can be done in the yard with very little prep, and several of them can be done indoors too.  Bringing snow into the house is always a huge hit when it’s too cold for the kids to get outside to play.

10 FUN AND CREATIVE SNOW ACTIVITIES FOR OUTSIDE AND INSIDE:

how to make homemade icecream with snow

Snow Ice Cream (or Snow Cream) is such a yummy treat to make with real snow after a fresh snowfall! Whether you make it inside or outside, your kids will love the process and the way it tastes!  This is one of those classic winter activities you have to try at least once! Chances are, you’ll love it so much, it will become an annual, winter tradition for your family!

 

Playing with sticks and stones in the snow

Here’s a fun and creative way to build a snowman when the snow isn’t sticky enough to roll three snowballs. Have some fun gathering odds and ends from the yard and build a “snowman” with sticks and stones and various garden treasures.

 

Backyard Ice Sculptures - Happy Hooligans

Building coloured ice sculptures is such a great winter activity for the family to do in the backyard. This is a also a great group activity for winter carnivals and the schoolyard too.

 

How to make maple syrup candy on the snow

Here’s another classic winter tradition that you must try!  After a snowfall, you and the kids can make your own maple syrup candy on the snow!  It’s easy and delicious, and it’s a wonderful winter-time treat that everyone needs to try at least once.

 

Snowy Sensory Bin

When freezing temperatures make it too cold to go out, bring the snow inside to play!  Asnowy sensory bin (filled with real snow) will keep the kids entertained for ages!  I’m always surprised how long the snow lasts when we it into the house. The hooligans always get a good couple of hours out of an indoor snow activity.  What a great way to play in the snow when you can’t get outdoors.

 

Painting the snow with tempra paints

Painting the snow is another winter-time activity that’s always a hit with kids of all ages.  We love making art in the snow. I have to admit, I have just as much fun painting on a canvas of snow as the kids do!

 

potato heads in the snow

Potato Heads are one of our go-to activities all year round, but in the winter-time, on a day when the snow is good and sticky, we love to take our collection out into the yard, and makePotato Head Snowmen!  This is definitely a snow activity that can done indoors in a big bin full of snow.

 

diamond dig

When the kids are cooped up inside and going a little stir-crazy, bring a shallow container of snow into the house and set up a Diamond Dig!  This snowy activity kept the hooligans busy for ages one morning. Great for those days when the kids want to play in the snow but it’s too cold to go outside.

 

colouring snow with watercolours

Bring the snow inside, and let the kids experiment with snow and liquid watercolours
(or food colouring).  Fine-motor skills will get a work out, and it’s so fun to watch the snow absorb all the colours. Build and colour structures, or turn the activity into a pretend-play ice cream shop.

 

Orange Cup Bird and Squirrel Feeders

You may have noticed we have a thing for homemade bird feeders.  We love to make them!  These snowy bird feeders are so simple to put together, and a lovely way to help our feathered friends find a meal when their food sources are scarce.  And it’s just one more way to play with snow if you’re stuck indoors.