Fun snow play ideas that captivate both kids and adults!
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!
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Ideas for Fun in the Snow That Kids and Adults Alike Will Love (41–50)
Maple taffy making
When it comes to classic Canadian souvenirs, maple syrup is the first thing that comes to mind, right? In Canada, there’s a sweet called maple taffy, made by pouring boiled-down maple syrup onto snow to let it set.
It’s another treat that really evokes Canada.
Once the maple syrup you drizzle onto the snow starts to firm up from the chill, you roll it around a stick to make it.
In Japan, it might be comparable to cotton candy.
You can make it in Japan too by simmering store-bought maple syrup and drizzling it over snow, so give it a try on a snowy day.
Fun Snow Play Ideas That Kids and Adults Will Love (51–60)
dog sled
Dogs pull sleds carrying people.
It might be a bit tough on the pups, but it’s like a dream ride.
In snowy regions, there are even major dog-sled racing competitions.
It can be a little dangerous for children to play with on their own, so please make sure an adult is with them.
If you have a small dog, how about handcrafting a small sled for your pup? You could place a stuffed animal on it and take some adorable photos.
A game where you guess pictures drawn with footprints
A game of “Guess the Picture Drawn with Footprints,” played on untouched fresh snow! Within a one-minute time limit, use your footprints to draw a picture.
Once you’re done, have the guesser figure out what the picture is.
The artist needs to plan their movements carefully, or they’ll leave unwanted footprints—so be careful.
You might slip and fall, but that could be part of the fun, too (haha).
Try coming up with a simple picture and give it a go!
Snowball Toss
Let me introduce a fun “Snowball Toss Battle” you can play in the snow.
The rules are the same as the regular beanbag toss at a school sports day.
The only difference is that you first pack snow into round balls and then throw them in.
Packing the snow is the tricky part—if it’s fresh, powdery snow, it won’t form into balls.
That’s where the fun of figuring out how to pack it comes in.
If you have water, the snow will stick together, so you can also enjoy planning a strategy: one person gathers snow, another packs it with water, and another rolls and throws the balls.
Make the most of the snow and have a great time!
Snow diving
Let me introduce a playful activity called “snow diving” that might just make you want to head to a snowy region.
All you do is dive with your whole body into a pile of snow—but the sensation when you plunge into that soft snow seems wonderfully pleasant.
Even if you fall or get tossed around a bit, as long as you don’t push yourself too hard, the risk of injury is low, and you can fully immerse yourself in the joy of playing with snow.
It’s a special privilege of snowy regions, but even if you live somewhere that doesn’t get much snow, I recommend taking the chance to play and interact with it when a little does fall.
Snow has a charm that makes you forget the cold!
Snow sculpture making
At the Sapporo Snow Festival you see gigantic snow sculptures, and you can’t help wondering how they’re made, right? It turns out they aren’t built like snowmen.
Instead, they start with a roughly shaped block of snow and carve away the unwanted parts.
Apparently, creating sturdy, well-made sculptures takes quite a lot of experience.
If kids are making them on their own, the snowman method is the easiest.
And if it’s a character everyone loves, like Pikachu or Doraemon, you could probably make it even without looking at a reference.
Snowball fight
A snowball fight is a classic way to play in the snow, isn’t it? It’s thrilling in places with heavy snowfall, and it’s fun even when you just gather a little snow and toss it at each other.
If you pack it too tightly it turns into an ice ball, so it’s best to press it gently and form a soft sphere.
You could also set up territories and make it a battle to capture each other’s base—that would really liven things up!