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 (11–20)

Frozen soap bubble play

https://www.tiktok.com/@mamasore_education/video/7287825020632550657

When the temperature is really low and it’s freezing, it’s tempting to just stay cozy indoors, isn’t it? But there are activities you can only do on cold days.

Why not head outside precisely because it’s cold and try making frozen soap bubbles? If the temperature is below freezing, even soap bubbles will freeze.

Just prepare regular bubble solution and a straw, then gently blow a bubble over ice or on fresh snow.

Normally, bubbles pop the moment you touch them, but when they’re frozen you can set them on your palm or even hold them.

Imagining how kids will react is exciting, isn’t it? Their perfectly round shape and shimmering colors look so magical—be sure to give it a try!

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Colorful Snow Heart

https://www.tiktok.com/@koharu138/video/7199897568023678209

Here’s how to make cute “Colorful Snow Hearts” when it snows! You’ll need string, heart-shaped snow, food coloring, a container, a plastic bottle, water, and a brush.

First, dip the brush into your favorite color of food coloring and dissolve it in a container filled with water.

Pour the colored water into a plastic bottle, then pour it over the heart-shaped snow attached to the string—and you’re done! Using a snowball maker to create different shapes is also adorable.

If the snow is very powdery and won’t pack well, use a little water to help it hold together.

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Playing in the snow with snowshoes

Snowshoeing: playing in the snow and experiencing wildlife

Playing in the snow with snowshoes

This shows a family taking part in an event where they wear snowshoes—tools similar to traditional wooden crampons worn over boots—to enjoy playing in the snow and hiking in the snowy mountains.

They sit on chairs made of snow to take breaks and slide downhill using plastic bags as makeshift sleds.

Both children and adults are having fun.

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Playing house with snow and flowers

You can still play with flowers and plants even when the snow piles up! Here are some very cute ways to play with snowy flowers and plants.

Even in snowy regions, colorful flowers and plants lie buried beneath the snow.

It’s a good idea to collect flowers, leaves, and berries when it first starts to snow.

Once the snow comes, it’s showtime! You can make shaved ice treats, parfaits, and even snow bunny mochi.

If you want to shape the snow, add a little water and pack it tightly.

A snowball maker is handy, too.

You can have fun even with just a light snowfall, so think of it as a special perk of the season and enjoy it!

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Soccer on the snow

https://www.tiktok.com/@kazu_kashi/video/6927921925528276226

We recommend this for both kids and adults who think, “I can’t play my favorite soccer when the snow piles up!” It can be hard to find a place to exercise when it snows, but if you can find a suitable spot, give it a try.

Playing soccer in the snow is different from usual—it’s harder to predict where the ball will go, so you can enjoy the game in a whole new way.

Sometimes kids beat adults, and younger children make surprising plays! Another plus is that the ball doesn’t roll away easily thanks to the snow.

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Snowball Basketball

@kiichimura01
Even in heavy snow, try changing your perspective and have some fun.How to enjoy winter Snow play Snow Peaceful everyday life
♬ Squid Game Dance – WATWING’s Daily Life

Here are some recommended snow play ideas for kids who love physical activity! Even in heavy snow, you can have fun by changing how you think about play.

A basketball made of snow is perfect for children who love to move.

One unique advantage of snow is that you can adjust the ball size to match the child’s age.

If the snow is powdery and doesn’t pack well, try shaping it while adding water to make it firmer.

Besides basketball, you can also play baseball or soccer by packing the snow tightly.

It’s also fun to come up with rules for when things break apart.

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Fun Snow Play Ideas That Kids and Adults Alike Will Love (21–30)

sledding

First time at the ski resort — we played with a sled! Playing in the snow with Hinagon and Oichan — SunflowerTV

sledding

A classic winter activity for kids at ski resorts.

Sledding is something even little ones who aren’t ready for skis yet can enjoy.

They can be pulled along by an adult, or go zipping down a slope on their own.

Speeding down a white hillside is one of winter’s true pleasures.

And you don’t even have to go to a ski resort—if enough snow piles up at a nearby park, you can have fun there too.

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