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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Kids and adults alike will be captivated! A collection of fun snow play ideas (1–10)
Three fun snow activities with snow boots on
Three games are introduced: tag, the Rock-Paper-Scissors Train, and the Get-Up Race.
You probably know some of these already, but playing them on snow gives you a whole new feel! The rules for tag and the Rock-Paper-Scissors Train are the same as usual.
In the Get-Up Race, you keep your snow boots on and compete to see who can get up the fastest from a fallen position.
These games are perfect as a warm-up for ski practice, too.
Moving in the snow is trickier than you’d think—enjoy the games while getting used to it, and be careful to avoid injuries.
Play hard with a snow buggy!
How about trying a snowmobile or a quad bike experience that even beginners—adults and children alike—can enjoy? Start on a course with a slow pace where you won’t have to worry about other vehicles.
Make sure you get a thorough lesson on how to operate it and take your time practicing.
Once you feel the crisp, clear air and experience the thrill of riding through a beautiful, snow-white landscape, you’ll probably end up loving snowy play even more than you already do!
Let’s try making a sled slide.
When a lot of snow has piled up, why not try making a slide? Decide together what shape, slope, and length you want—whether it’s a big slide, a small slide, or a curved slide—share a clear image, and then start working.
Rather than packing snow into the shape of a slide, it may be easier to dig into the accumulated snow with shovels to create a path.
Making the path wide is recommended because it makes sliding easier.
Be careful to avoid falls and drops while working.
Snow play unique to snowy regions!
When there’s a heavy snowfall that kids love, you want them to enjoy playing in the snow to their heart’s content.
Before they start, be sure to go over a few rules, such as “Don’t put snow in your mouth” and “Don’t throw snow at friends carelessly.” In areas where a lot of snow accumulates, it’s also a good idea to fill balloons with water the day before and bury them in the snow.
This lets children experience firsthand that “water freezes and becomes ice.” You can also prepare lots of cups, fill them with snow, pour colored water over it and play at running a shaved-ice stand, or make a big snowman and decorate it with colored water—the kids will have a great time with these activities.
Snowfield Werewolf Tag
Let us introduce Werewolf Tag played on snow, where werewolves chase citizens.
The werewolves win if they catch all the citizens, while the citizens win if they manage to escape.
Unlike regular tag, this is Werewolf Tag—so you don’t know who the “it”…
or rather, who the werewolf is.
On top of that, the ground is covered in snow, so you might slip or get your feet stuck.
Precisely because agility is limited on snow, the tension of the game is likely to rise.
Werewolves must act without revealing that they are werewolves and catch citizens at a moment when no one notices.
Easy! Make a duck using tools
Here’s an idea for making ducks using items from a 100-yen shop.
They’re originally meant for playing in sand, but you can use them in the snow, too.
The great thing about this item is that there’s a duck mold attached to the ends of crossed handles, so you can just grab the handles and press them together to form a duck.
Even small children, who might find it hard to pack snow into a mold, can enjoy it as long as there’s a decent amount of snow.
When it comes to snow, snow bunnies are the classic choice, but why not try making ducks for a change?
Observation of soap bubble crystals
How about a bit of snow play that feels like a science experiment—something you can only do in the crisp winter air? When the temperature drops below freezing, try gently blowing soap bubbles with a regular bubble solution.
As the bubbles settle softly on the ground or on the snow, tiny ice crystals will begin to appear on their surfaces.
Watching hexagonal and star-like patterns gradually spread is like witnessing magic.
It’s also fascinating how the crystal patterns change depending on the angle of your breath and the strength of the wind.
A special winter-only moment that captivates children and adults alike.
Why not take a camera in hand and observe the artwork you create?
