10 Safe and Fun Snow Activities for Kids

ByJanine Talbot Posted on

Snow Activities

Who doesn’t like the idea of playing in the snow? Even those of you who typically prefer the heat are probably ready for some good snow activities after a long summer. That’s never more true than when you’re talking about kids.

There is just something about being a kid on a snow day that brings out the desire to go have fun on an entirely different level. To be perfectly honest, it usually brings out the kid in most adults too, so if you’re a kid at heart, you’re just as likely to be out there playing with them. The question is, what types of activities can you do? You want something that’s fun, but it also has to be safe. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do in the snow that will keep both you and your kids safe while enjoying your next snow day.

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10. Build a snowman

Is there anything more fun than building your own snowman? It’s easy to understand why this is one of the top activities for kids on a snowy day. The magic of building a snowman is that you can be as creative as you want. Make a basic snowman or get truly creative and spend a few hours perfecting your next work of art. It’s all about having fun, so let your imagination run wild and enjoy your surroundings.

Never built a snowman before? It’s actually very easy. Roll the snow and pack it so that it ends up in a ball, similar to a basketball. Decide how big you want your snowman to be. Start by stacking one ball of snow on top of the other. Get creative by using sticks for hands or even dressing your snowman. Yes, it really is okay to give him a carrot for a nose and buttons for eyes. Last but not least, take a picture. That way, you can remember your creation long after the snow has melted away.

9. Make snow angels

Practically every kid has made snow angels at one time or another. It’s loads of fun and it’s something everybody can participate in, regardless of how young (or old) the kid in question might be. All you have to do is find a comfortable place to lay and make your most beautiful snow angel ever. It’s a great activity for the backyard and when you get cold, you can always go inside for some hot chocolate.

The best thing about making snow angels is that you can have all the kids doing it at once. It’s rare to find an activity that works well for everyone, no matter their age range. This is one that’s fun for the older kids and safe for young children as well. Don’t know how to make a snow angel? Simply lie on your back with your arms outstretched. Move your arms up and down against the snow as if you were flying. When you get up, you can witness your very own snow angel.

8. Use food coloring to paint the snow

This one is truly magical. You can use food coloring as if it were paint, creating all kinds of brightly colored masterpieces right there in the snow. The food coloring won’t harm the environment, nor does it pose a danger to animals.

All you have to do is fill some empty containers with food coloring and then stand back so your kids can create whatever comes to mind. Use a spray bottle or get even more creative and buy gel food coloring that can be put on cardboard covered in foil, and your kids have their very own palette.

7. Have a snowball fight

There is something about a snowball fight that puts a smile on everyone’s face. It’s hard to be grumpy when you’re crafting the perfect snowball for your next snake attack or dodging the best shot from your opponent. Think of it this way. People spend hundreds of dollars on laser tag and paintball. This is the exact same thing, and you get to enjoy it for free.

There doesn’t have to be anything super technical about a snowball fight. Of course, you can definitely make it technical, provided that’s your sort of thing. The biggest thing is to get out there, have fun and burn some calories. It just might be the most fun workout you’ve ever had!

6. Go skiing

Granted, this one takes a little bit of extra skill and some additional equipment. If you know how to ski and have the proper safety equipment, why not make the most of the snow and enjoy a day of skiing? What should you do if you’ve never skied before in your life? Learn from someone who knows what they’re doing and don’t cut corners on your equipment.

In order to ski safely, you need a good instructor.Don’t forget about basic items like skis and poles, as well as warm clothing. Even if you don’t know how to ski, a good ski resort can help you learn. Who knows, you might end up finding a new favorite winter activity. In reality, it’s a great way to have fun while staying in shape.

5. Go sledding

It’s easy to understand why sledding is such a popular activity. It’s loads of fun. It’s a little bit scary if you’ve never gone sledding before, especially if you’re on a fairly large hill. That being said, it doesn’t usually take more than once or twice to get somebody hooked and then, they can’t get enough of it.

One of the truly great things about sledding is that you can buy an actual sled and spend as much money as you want, but you don’t have to. In fact, plenty of people have used a lid from one of those plastic storage containers as their makeshift sled and it works just fine. In fact, part of the fun involves finding something you already have around the house that can be used as your sled. As long as you stay safe and use common sense, it can make for a great afternoon.

4. Snowboarding

Okay, not everyone can go snowboarding. That’s a given, but think of the fun possibilities for those who can snowboard. It’s not entirely different to skateboarding, although you do have to learn how to coordinate your movements in the snow. This is a good activity for kids, but it’s important to keep things simple at first.

Snowboarding can be made safer by ensuring there are no obstacles in the path and keeping jumps to a reasonable height. It’s always best to start out small and work your way up. Just like skiing, you can also get a coach and learn from someone who has a wealth of experience.

While it’s worth noting that snowboarding is an activity that’s best suited to individuals who enjoy a significant amount of snowfall every year, it is something that others can enjoy as well. If nothing else, you can try your hand at standing on a board while you allow it to slide down a small hill in your backyard. For those who don’t experience all that much snow in the course of a year, something as simple as this will likely keep the kids busy for several hours and it’s relatively safe. Don’t worry, it’s not likely that they’ll be taking major jumps or trying to do somersaults in the air like you see at the Olympics. In this particular case, it’s all about fun.

3. Make snow castles

People who go to the beach often make sand castles. This is the same thing, only you’re using snow instead of sand. In a way, this is really all that different from making a snowman. All you have to do is create different shapes with the snow. As long as the snow has a decent amount of moisture content in it, this is relatively easy to do.

In order to make snow castles, ensure that you and your kids are dressed warmly and that you’re wearing good, warm gloves. Next, create the different shapes that you want to use in your snow castle so you can start building it, one level at a time. You can make the project as simple or as complex as you want. That’s the true beauty of having an activity like this. It works well for individuals that are very young but it works just as well for older, more creative kids who want to do something more elaborate.

Another great thing about this particular activity is that you can tailor it to fit the amount of time that you have to build your snow castle. Maybe you’re only looking for something to keep the kids occupied for an hour or so while you make dinner. On the other hand, your kids might be clamoring to get outside and spend the whole afternoon out there making a snow castle. Again, it’s important to snap a picture of it when it’s completed so you can remember the fun day you had and what you created.

2. Go for a bike ride

Have you ever thought about going for a bike ride after it snows? A lot of people don’t necessarily think about this but as long as you have the right bike tires, you can have a blast with it. Granted, you will need bike tires that are wider than normal. They’re typically referred to as fat tires. They have both the width and the tread to help you grip the surface, even when there’s loads of snow on the ground.

Even if you ride bikes all the time, doing so in the snow is just different. It gives you a chance to see things from an entirely new perspective. It’s also a bit more challenging from a physical standpoint because you have to pedal harder in the snow to get where you want to go. The thing is, it doesn’t really feel like a workout because you’re having so much fun. If you get a lot of snow where you live, you might even decide to switch your bike tires at the start of every season so you can take full advantage of this activity. It’s also a great way to keep the kids busy while allowing you the chance to reconnect with nature, and with yourself.

1. Enjoy a snow hike

This activity is along the same lines as going for a bike ride in the snow, only you don’t have to worry about having a bike. It’s safe to say that most people, even kids, enjoy hiking. That doesn’t have to stop just because it’s winter. As a matter of fact, the entire family can enjoy an afternoon hiking in the snow. It’s an excellent way to get out and enjoy nature and it gives you a chance to feel more refreshed than you’re likely to feel after a long hike in the summer heat.

Aside from warm clothes and a good set of hiking boots, you don’t need anything in the way of special equipment, either. That’s especially true if you’re just going on a local hike and you know the area well. Of course, you should always follow good safety procedures. Let someone know where you’re going and make sure that you have water and some non-perishable food with you. Then, all you really need is a couple of hours and the desire to go out and have fun with the whole family. Make the hike an easy one for the younger kids or stretch it out a little if your kids are getting older. You might even decide to take a few pictures along the way as you and your family enjoy all that nature has to offer.

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Janine Talbot

Janine is passionate about parenting. As a mother of 5 she knows a thing or two about how to raise children. She has a love for food, travel, and making sure her children stay on the right path.

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