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!
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- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
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- 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
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Fun winter activities: Recreations kids can enjoy (21–30)
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!
Paper balloon play
@yuioishi Paper Balloon (Nostalgic Old-Time Play)Elementary school entrance examMs. Arihime
♬ Lips Are Movin – Meghan Trainor
An old-fashioned pastime, paper balloons are light, soft, and safe to enjoy—highly recommended.
When you blow into one, it inflates into a round shape, and a gentle push with your palm sends it drifting slowly through the air, making it easy even for small children to handle.
Because it falls slowly, batting it up to keep it from dropping or passing it back and forth with friends naturally helps develop balance and coordination.
Choosing colors and patterns adds to the fun, and they can also be used as decorations.
They’re quiet, easy to replace if they break, and safe for indoor play—perfect for quality time with parents and friends.
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?
Indoor play that even infants can enjoy!
@nexus_official5♬ Cute heartwarming BGM(1490583) – sanusagi
We’d like to introduce four types of activities that kids can enjoy energetically indoors, even on cold days.
First is the “Crawling Race,” where parents and children cheer each other on as they aim for the goal.
It’s simple, but full of smiles and lots of excitement.
Next is the “Animal Imitation Game.” Move your body to the fullest by hopping like a bunny or mimicking an elephant’s trunk.
“Balance Play” involves placing a string on the floor and walking along it.
Stepping over and hopping without touching the string helps build leg strength.
Lastly, there’s “Newspaper and Flyer Play.” Tear the paper using your fingertips, crumple it into balls, and use them for other games.
All of these are easy to prepare and perfect for cozy days at home when it’s cold outside.
Fun indoors! Ice play
@nexus_official5 Makes you look forward to cold days?! We can’t wait for spring either, but try making this on a day when the forecast says it’ll be chilly the next day!#nexus#memorytree nursery schoolKids will love it#IcePlayWinter PlayNursery teacher / Childcare worker#MemoriesTree Nursery School
♬ Escort – MoppySound
Using tissue paper and food coloring to make “flower ice” is a beautiful winter-only experiment play.
First, place tissue paper in a clear cup, add water and your choice of food coloring or paint, and gently stir.
Depending on the color combinations, you’ll get patterns as lovely as flower petals.
Set the cups outside to freeze, and you’ll have “flower ice” with colors sealed inside crystal-clear ice.
It’s fun to hold them up to the sunlight or stack them to create an icy flower garden.
A winter art experience that captivates both kids and adults.
Instant Snow You Can Enjoy Indoors!
Playing in the snow is fun, but you can get injured or even feel unwell depending on the temperature.
That’s why I’d like to introduce instant snow, which you can enjoy indoors.
Instant snow is a product that fluffs up and looks like real snow just by adding water, and it’s easy to buy from online shops.
It’s a great item for indoor play—not only for snow play, but also for make-believe games, snow art, and even turning into slime for sensory fun.
Another nice point is that it feels cool like real snow but doesn’t melt.
The texture is fun! Snow play that even infants can enjoy
A popular winter activity that even very young infants can safely enjoy is sensory play using soft, fluffy snow.
Start by letting them touch the soft snow to experience its coldness and how its shape changes.
Simply squeezing snow with gloves on or scooping it into a cup will spark their curiosity.
Outdoors, riding in a sled pulled by an adult is also recommended.
If you keep the speed gentle, they can enjoy the pleasant sway and the feel of the wind.
For safety, choose a flat area and keep the session short.
It’s a fun way to experience winter-specific sensations like the texture and coldness of snow.
Fun for parents and kids! Pottery workshop
A popular indoor winter activity is a parent-and-child pottery experience.
In a warm studio, you can enjoy the feel of clay and create a one-of-a-kind piece.
Many studios let you choose what to try, such as hand-building or using an electric potter’s wheel, and for small children, starting with hand-building is recommended.
Even if the shape turns out a little uneven, that becomes part of its charm and makes for a memorable piece.
It takes some time until the firing is finished, but the moment you receive the completed work is truly moving.
Even on cold winter days, this parent-child experience will warm your heart with the clay’s warmth and lots of smiles.
Let’s try making a rose out of snow!
@tokansuruyo It’s finally the first snow in Korea! ⛄️ I tried making the snow rose that was popular on Korean social media last year 🌹🤍 Just scoop up snow with a card, shape it by hand, and attach it to a tree branch 🫶 It’s surprisingly easy to make it look pretty ⛄️ Korea is quite slippery and dangerous underfoot this time of year, so warm clothing and slip-resistant shoes are a must when traveling 🙆♀️#KoreanSnowKorean winterFirst snow#눈#첫눈#KoreanTrendKorean Information#snow
♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
How about adding a small twist to your winter snow play to create a magical scene? First, prepare a small twig with green leaves and imagine it as the stem.
Next, spread some soft snow in your palms and stretch it into a thin, film-like sheet.
Layer those sheets of snow one after another like petals, and you’ll form a fluffy snow rose.
The snow’s translucence and delicate layers create a beauty reminiscent of ice art.
Display it in your yard or at a park, and a romantic atmosphere will spread across the pure white world.