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 Kids Can Enjoy (1–10)
Christmas Curling
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a perfect, crowd-pleasing Christmas activity! Try making and playing Christmas Curling! First, line up three sheets of white drawing paper vertically and tape them together.
Draw a Christmas tree, then decorate freely by pasting on more paper, etc.
Be sure to write the point values clearly with a marker at this stage.
Next, cut out circles of drawing paper to match the size of plastic bottle caps, stick them onto the caps, and draw faces on them.
Finally, write “Splash!” at the top of the tree and set a basket there to finish.
The rules are simple: flick the caps with your finger and compete based on the points where they stop.
This game requires fingertip strength and delicate control, and it’s easy to make—give it a try!
Rolling dodgeball
If you want to move your body a lot and warm up, we recommend this game: Rolling Dodgeball.
In regular dodgeball, you set up a rectangular court and throw the ball, but in rolling dodgeball, as the name suggests, you roll the ball.
The rule is to roll the ball from outside a circle instead of a square, and the people inside the circle try to avoid getting hit.
The way to play is simple, and it doesn’t hurt even if the ball touches you, so even small children can enjoy it.
Let’s keep active through play and stay energetic even during the cold winter!
Frozen soap bubble play
https://www.tiktok.com/@mamasore_education/video/7287825020632550657When 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!
Fun winter activities: Recreational ideas for kids (11–20)
Marathon race
Many of you probably experienced marathon events in kindergarten, daycare, or elementary school when you were children.
Running doesn’t require special equipment and is easy to start, making it perfect for those times when you want to move your body and warm up on a cold day.
Marathon running not only warms you up, but with consistent practice it helps build both explosive power and endurance, leading to improved overall fitness.
Aiming for a single goal and reaching the finish line also fosters children’s perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.
Start with short distances suited to children’s development and athletic ability, and gradually increase the distance.
If parents and children take it on together, it’s sure to deepen your bond even more.
Give it a try!
rice cake pounding play
Even if you think, “I want to try pounding mochi for New Year’s!” it’s hard to do at home because you may not have the tools, and parts of it can be a bit dangerous for kids.
But if you make some simple tools to simulate mochi pounding, anyone can easily experience it at New Year’s! Prepare two long, narrow strips of thick paper, each about 10 cm wide, and fold them back and forth in an accordion to make spring-like pieces.
Put those into a container to serve as the mortar.
For the mochi, put bubble wrap (or similar) into a plastic bag and place it on top of the “springs.” For the mallet, combine a cardboard tube from plastic wrap with a styrofoam block wrapped in bubble wrap—that’s all you need! You can play with it over and over, so give it a try!
yuzu bath
The winter solstice is the day of the year when the sun is above the horizon for the shortest time.
On that day, there is a custom of taking a bath with floating yuzu.
How about experiencing a yuzu bath and enjoying the refreshing aroma and warmth of yuzu? A casual way to try it is with a foot bath or by soaking your hands, which is recommended.
Warming your hands and feet thoroughly also supports staying healthy through the winter.
Let’s also have people think about how the warmth feels different when yuzu is added and how to enhance its fragrance.
Mikan picking
When you think of delicious winter fruits, many people probably picture mikan (Japanese mandarins).
Sweet, tangy, and packed with nutrients, mikan are loved by people of all ages.
Even if they’ve eaten them, many children don’t know how mikan are grown.
How about enjoying mikan picking together with those children? Mikan trees are within easy reach for kids, and you can harvest the fruit without using scissors.
It’s also a great opportunity to learn how mikan grow and how to choose tasty ones.
Mikan picking is perfect for winter food education—why not give it a try?