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 (31–40)
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.
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.
Smelt fishing on a frozen lake!
Drilling a hole in a lake frozen over and lowering a line to wait for tiny fish is a special experience where serenity and excitement mingle.
Inside the tent it’s surprisingly warm, and the moments spent around the stove with family and friends are exceptional.
The tension the instant you feel a small nibble, and the sense of accomplishment when you reel one in, captivate both children and adults.
One of the pleasures is frying the freshly caught smelt (wakasagi) into tempura right there on the spot.
The crispy batter and faint sweetness taste even better in the cold air.
It’s a winter-only pastime that lets you savor quiet time in nature and the joy of eating all at once.
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!
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.
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.
Rhythm play with words
Word Rhythm Play is a game you can enjoy while moving your body, building vocabulary and a sense of rhythm, and training skills like quick thinking and problem-solving.
Listen to the beat and match your words to it.
Any words are fine, but the key is to stay on rhythm.
Start with an easy beat and gradually increase the difficulty.
Once you get used to it, adding handclaps while playing can make it even more exciting.
Snow rafting
For children aged 3 and up, how about an activity called snow rafting? It’s a ride where a snowmobile tows a large rubber boat through the snowy mountains.
It’s thrilling and a lot of fun, so I think the kids will absolutely love it.
Cat and Mouse (Mousetrap)
“Cats and Mice” is a game where the children on the cat team hold hands to form a big circle, and at the signal “Ready, go!” the children on the mouse team inside the circle try to escape.
Of course, the cat team should try to block them by crouching down and closing the gaps so the mice can’t get out.
Switch roles and play once each; the team that lets more mice escape wins.
It’s a game you can play indoors or outdoors as long as there’s enough space, and it gets everyone moving a lot.
It’s perfect for winter play.
Snake Rock-Paper-Scissors
If you’re looking for an active game, “Snake Rock-Paper-Scissors” is a great pick! Mark out two bases 10–30 meters apart and connect them with a line.
It’s more fun if the line isn’t straight—try a wavy path or other shapes.
Once the bases and line are set, split into two teams and have each team start in its base.
At the signal “Ready, go!”, one player from each team runs toward the opposing base along the line.
When they meet, they play rock-paper-scissors.
The loser returns to their own base and the next teammate starts; the winner continues running toward the opposing base.
The team that reaches the opponent’s base first wins.
Try playing with everyone in a spacious area like a park!