Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun winter activities: Recreations that children can enjoy

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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!

Fun winter activities: Recreations kids can enjoy (21–30)

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.

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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 🙆‍♀️#KoreanSnow Korean winter First snow #눈 #첫눈 #KoreanTrend Korean 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.

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Fun winter activities: Recreations kids can enjoy (31–40)

Three fun snow activities with snow boots on

Playing in the snow with ski boots [Sapporo Snow Education Movie]: How to conduct ski lessons on the school playground

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.

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Let’s try making a sled slide.

For kids: Winter snow fun! We tried making a sledding slide!

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.

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Smelt fishing on a frozen lake!

Winter fun! We went smelt fishing on a frozen lake!

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.

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Play hard with a snow buggy!

[Snow Play 1] Seriously playing with my first-year junior high daughter on a snow buggy (crawler ATV)

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!

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Snowfield Werewolf Tag

HiHi Jets [Snowfield Werewolf Tag] The slopes are melting from... how much we want to play tag

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.

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