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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- [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 (51–60)
Ball-carrying relay
The ball-carrying relay is a fun outdoor game that warms you up in winter.
Carrying a ball using towels or your bodies is a great chance for children to develop teamwork.
If you set up an obstacle course, it can also train their thinking skills and physical flexibility.
Watching little hands work hard to carry the ball is sure to warm the hearts of onlookers.
Joining as a parent and child is also appealing because it strengthens bonds.
Precisely because it’s a cold season, it’s nice for everyone to get moving, warm up, and enjoy nurturing communication skills together.
Smelt fishing
Smelt fishing is recommended for those who want to enjoy fishing even in winter.
These days, many places set up tents and rent out complete sets of gear.
You can even fry and eat your catch on the spot, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy it.
It’s not a difficult type of fishing, so kids can have fun with it too.
Winter Nature Observation
When we think of recreation, we tend to feel we have to plan elaborate events.
But if you shift your perspective, simply walking along a familiar path can offer plenty of new discoveries and moments of wonder.
Winter in particular is a time when living things change their appearance dramatically, so it’s a great opportunity to focus on that and try some nature observation.
Show children how insects survive the winter and what happens to trees after they shed their leaves.
Creating a report as you observe can also be a lot of fun.
Winter Fireworks Event
You might think fireworks in winter are unexpected, but it seems there are places that deliberately hold fireworks events during the winter.
It’s cold outside in winter, but because the air is so clear, they may look even more beautiful.
Watching them while keeping warm indoors or enjoying hot drinks and food outside could make for a great memory.
Fun winter activities: Recreations children can enjoy (61–70)
astronomical observation
The winter night sky has clear air and is a great season for stargazing.
You can observe the stars with a telescope, and it’s also fun to photograph them with a camera.
Since you’ll be outside for a long time, be sure to bring proper cold-weather gear.
Fukuwarai (a traditional Japanese “lucky laugh” face-making game)
It’s a game where you make a face by moving parts around while blindfolded.
Fukuwarai is one of the classic New Year’s games, but it’s not played as often these days.
That said, it’s actually a really fun game, so I highly recommend it.
It’s also enjoyable to make the parts yourself.
Observation of snow crystals
On snowy days, try observing snowflakes.
Even without a microscope, a magnifying glass or loupe is enough to see them well.
It also helps to catch the snow on a piece of black cloth to make it easier to see.
However, if the cloth is warm, the snow will melt quickly, so cool it down first—by leaving it outside, for example—before you start observing.