Fun winter activities: Recreations that children can enjoy
We’ve gathered winter activities that kids can enjoy!
In addition to classic seasonal pastimes perfect for winter—like kite flying and spinning tops—we also introduce a variety of outdoor games and recreational activities that will warm them up.
Some children aren’t fond of playing outside because it’s so cold in winter.
On the other hand, some kids want to play outside a lot even when it’s chilly.
This article features both indoor and outdoor activities, so find the ones your kids want to try!
These are great for elementary school recreation, and we’ve also included fingerplay songs and traditional children’s songs, so feel free to incorporate them into early childhood care as well!
- [For Kids] Indoor Games and Activities Recommended for Winter Break
- [Part 2] Recommended Indoor Activities and Recreation Games for December
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
- [For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play
- [Children’s Club] Easy and fun indoor games. Exciting party games
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- Fun snow play ideas that captivate both kids and adults!
- Exciting! Recreational Activities to Enjoy at a Christmas Party
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- New Year party games that get everyone excited: a fun collection of ideas from classics to DIY
- No worries even in the rain! Fun recreational activities you can do in the gym
Fun winter activities: Recreations children can enjoy (61–70)
Bozu Mekuri
This is “Bōzu Mekuri,” a classic New Year’s card game.
Even children who can’t read yet can play once they learn the pictures, so it’s recommended for preschoolers and lower-grade elementary school kids.
First, shuffle the picture cards well, place them face down to make a draw pile, and have the players sit around it.
Decide the turn order, then draw one card from the pile in turn.
If you draw a Lord card (tono), you get to keep the card you drew.
If you draw a Princess card (hime), you take all the cards stacked beside the draw pile.
If you draw a Monk card (bōzu), all the cards in your hand are confiscated.
When the draw pile runs out, the player with the most cards wins.
There are multiple optional house rules like “If this card appears, do this,” so feel free to adjust the rules to whatever is easiest and most fun for your group!
Where are you from?
Known as a temari (handball) song, “Antagata Dokosa” also has a jumping game that goes with it—did you know? It’s a great activity for older preschoolers through elementary school kids, helping them move their bodies and develop a sense of rhythm.
First, before playing, prepare the jumping area by making a grid.
Draw a square on the floor and add a cross inside to create four boxes.
Once the grid is ready, face each other and stand in the box on your own left side.
When the song starts, jump to the rhythm right → left in order, but be careful: only when the syllable “sa” appears in the song, you jump forward! If you bump into each other, that’s a miss—start over from the beginning.
Big Game Hunting
“Let’s Go on a Beast Hunt” is a recreation activity that not only gets kids moving but also strengthens their sense of unity.
The game consists of two elements.
The first is everyone singing and dancing together while imitating the teacher.
The second is forming groups based on the number of syllables in the animal name the teacher calls out.
In the latter, it’s important for children to think about others and cooperate.
That said, depending on the prompt, some children may be left out, so the teacher should carefully calculate the syllable counts to make it work smoothly.
campfire
When the cold winter arrives, you want to warm yourself by a cozy fire, don’t you? How about gathering around a fire with the kids for some family time at a campsite or in a field where fires are allowed? It’s also fun to cook things like roasted sweet potatoes over the fire.
Please be careful when handling fire.
Hana Ichi Monme
The traditional children’s song “Hanai-chimonme” has long been loved and passed down together with the game that goes with it.
Be mindful of the movements and calls that match the song, warm up your body well, and get into a cheerful mood.
Split into teams and sing back and forth, aiming to win rock-paper-scissors and pull a member from the opposing team.
Even if your numbers dwindle, keep your spirits up with big, bold singing so you don’t lose to the other team, and enjoy it all the way to the end—that’s the key point.
It’s a game full of fun elements, like movements that match the song and whispered strategizing.
skiing
When it comes to classic winter activities, skiing is the go-to, right? These days, some ski resorts even offer beginner classes, so children can start with confidence.
A child’s first skiing experience is sure to become an unforgettable memory!
Skate
Ice skating has been gaining more and more attention, influenced by events like the Olympics.
Buying a full set of equipment is very expensive, but there are rentals available, so even beginners can feel at ease.
It’s fun just to skate laps around the rink, and you might also try simple tricks or dance moves by imitating skilled skaters.