Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun snow play ideas that captivate both kids and adults!

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

When the snow piles up, kids’ eyes really sparkle, don’t they? Snow play usually brings to mind snowmen and igloos, which are great fun, but there are actually many more ways to play.

Here, we’ll introduce plenty of snow play ideas that will captivate elementary schoolers.

From snowball basketball and soccer on the snow for kids who love to be active, to easy treasure-hunt games and adorable pretend play with winter plants and flowers, there’s a wide variety to enjoy.

Discover unique winter fun, forget the cold, and dive into playing in the snow to your heart’s content!

Kids and adults alike will be captivated! A collection of fun snow play ideas (1–10)

Instant Snow You Can Enjoy Indoors!

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Playing in the snow is fun, but you can get injured or even feel unwell depending on the temperature.

That’s why I’d like to introduce instant snow, which you can enjoy indoors.

Instant snow is a product that fluffs up and looks like real snow just by adding water, and it’s easy to buy from online shops.

It’s a great item for indoor play—not only for snow play, but also for make-believe games, snow art, and even turning into slime for sensory fun.

Another nice point is that it feels cool like real snow but doesn’t melt.

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Let’s try making a rose out of snow!

@tokansuruyo
It’s finally the first snow in Korea! ⛄️ I tried making the snow rose that was popular on Korean social media last year 🌹🤍 Just scoop up snow with a card, shape it by hand, and attach it to a tree branch 🫶 It’s surprisingly easy to make it look pretty ⛄️ Korea is quite slippery and dangerous underfoot this time of year, so warm clothing and slip-resistant shoes are a must when traveling 🙆‍♀️#KoreanSnow Korean winter First snow #눈 #첫눈 #KoreanTrend Korean Information #snow
♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

How about adding a small twist to your winter snow play to create a magical scene? First, prepare a small twig with green leaves and imagine it as the stem.

Next, spread some soft snow in your palms and stretch it into a thin, film-like sheet.

Layer those sheets of snow one after another like petals, and you’ll form a fluffy snow rose.

The snow’s translucence and delicate layers create a beauty reminiscent of ice art.

Display it in your yard or at a park, and a romantic atmosphere will spread across the pure white world.

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The texture is fun! Snow play that even infants can enjoy

A popular winter activity that even very young infants can safely enjoy is sensory play using soft, fluffy snow.

Start by letting them touch the soft snow to experience its coldness and how its shape changes.

Simply squeezing snow with gloves on or scooping it into a cup will spark their curiosity.

Outdoors, riding in a sled pulled by an adult is also recommended.

If you keep the speed gentle, they can enjoy the pleasant sway and the feel of the wind.

For safety, choose a flat area and keep the session short.

It’s a fun way to experience winter-specific sensations like the texture and coldness of snow.

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Kids and adults alike will be captivated! A collection of fun snow play ideas (11–20)

Smelt fishing on a frozen lake!

Winter fun! We went smelt fishing on a frozen lake!

Smelt fishing on a frozen lake!

Drilling a hole in a lake frozen over and lowering a line to wait for tiny fish is a special experience where serenity and excitement mingle.

Inside the tent it’s surprisingly warm, and the moments spent around the stove with family and friends are exceptional.

The tension the instant you feel a small nibble, and the sense of accomplishment when you reel one in, captivate both children and adults.

One of the pleasures is frying the freshly caught smelt (wakasagi) into tempura right there on the spot.

The crispy batter and faint sweetness taste even better in the cold air.

It’s a winter-only pastime that lets you savor quiet time in nature and the joy of eating all at once.

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Building a snow hut (kamakura)

[Tokyo heavy snow] How to make a kamakura (snow hut) – How to make an igloo

Building a snow hut (kamakura)

For people who live in regions without snowfall, building a kamakura—a traditional snow hut—might be a dream winter activity.

In the kamakura you see on TV or in photos, there’s always a brazier inside, right? Why doesn’t it melt… it’s mysterious, isn’t it? Making a proper kamakura can be a bit tough for children alone.

Try building one as a family, or if it’s just the kids, make a small kamakura for your pet dog.

I’m sure they’ll love it!

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Taki no namida pin ku

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Making ice cream with snow

You can easily make ice cream with snow!

Making ice cream with snow

Here’s Connor from the Ponkikkies Experience Navigator showing you how to make ice cream using snow.

Put the ice cream ingredients into a small container, place it inside a larger container filled with snow and salt, and then just shake it really hard.

Give it a try!

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Making ice cream on a snowy field

Ice making

Making ice cream on a snowy field

A few children are shaking plastic bags in a snowy mountain area.

Inside the bags are probably a container with ice cream ingredients and snow mixed with salt.

They shake the bags while peeking inside from time to time.

They look a bit cold.

I wonder if the ice cream is ready?

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