Banish Boredom with 7 Snowy Activities (for Indoors and Out!)

Is the weather outside frightful? Cold, wet, and snowy conditions can make wintertime a misery for parents and kids alike. If your kids are bouncing off the walls, it's time to declare a snow day! Getting outside and experiencing the weather of winter can provide lots of learning opportunities, as well as a great way to get young bodies moving. Here are 7 activities and crafts with a snowy theme to keep kids busy during winter weather, whether inside or out!

Outdoor Snow Activities

Make Snow Paint!

Winter brings cold, snow, and cabin fever. Despite the frigid temperatures, it’s important for children of all ages to stay active and get lots of exercise and fresh air. Get outside with these four fun games, which all use "snow paint" to engage in winter games for exercise and fun! Learn how to play the Dress the Snowmen Relay, make Springtime Wishes, build a Pattern Block Snow Fort, and make Frozen Painted Butterflies. Read more>

Make a Snow Gauge

Snow falls from the sky, and so does rain. Both of them end up as water drops. But how much water comes out of snow?  Explore this timely question with your young scientist, and you’ll give her excellent practice in observation, measurement—and ecological awareness, too. Read more>

Build an Outdoor Igloo

You don't need to head to the Arctic to experiment with life in an igloo. Igloos have been used for over 1,000 years by the Inuit and other Native American tribes and can still be found throughout the Arctic today. Your child can build her own igloo at home and learn about a different kind of home used in other cultures. Unlike the Inuit version, this structure will be built out of ice, not snow. All you need is water, empty milk containers, and some super cold weather! Read more>

Indoor Snow Crafts

Make a Homemade Snow Globe

Is there anything more enticing to a young child than a snow globe? Kids love them, but unfortunately, they’re also expensive and delicate, a combination that often renders them off-limits to children. Here’s a snow globe that your kids can not only play with – they can make it themselves! Read more>

Build a Snow Person, Indoors!

Is it too cold to spend hours building a real snowman? Do you live in a warm climate where you simply don't see snow? This winter, try building your child’s very own snow person indoors. Instead of freezing cold snow, this activity uses fun (and messy!) art materials to build a cool sculptural creation that explores the art of three dimensional form. Read more>

Craft Sparkle Snowmen

Winter is a great time to build a friendly snowman, but sometimes the weather just does not want to cooperate. Turn regular modeling clay into a glittery snowy surprise! Explore shape and form with this wintry art activity that encourages young children to learn about the artistry of sculpture. Build a traditional three sphere snowman, or go for an alternative option such as snow cube people or stretched snowmen. Read more>

Practice Counting with an Igloo Sculpture

This snowy winter art activity will help your young child to better understand basic math concepts such as counting and simple addition or subtraction equations. Design and create an art igloo out of clay and other fun materials. Watch as your child learns to count, add, and subtract the individual ‘snow’ blocks. Read more>