What to do in the snow? Have you ever sat at the window hoping the inspirtation would strike? I hope that you will be inspired by these ideas of what to do in the snow…right now. I wanted to think of ideas that you could do without much preparation. Often the motivation passes quickly when we realise that there are supplies to be purchased or a lot of planning to be done to execute even the best idea.
We love to help get your kids outdoors even in the middle of winter. So make sure they are rugged up in their warmest thermals and you won’t need to wonder “what to do in the snow” any longer!
Make a Snow Maze
Create the best snow maze of the season today. Fresh soft snow is perfect for creating mazes as it is not so compact therefore easier to shovel, especially for little ones.
You don’t even really need to use a snow shovel if you don’t want! Kids will love to just use their feet to kick a maze around the back yard. Furthermore, once your epic maze is complete it makes for one great race track.
Check out this impressive snow maze created in Manitoba! I don’t think we could create this in our backyard but I would definitely be up for a road trip to go visit something like this. What a unique experience that would be.
Go Sledding or Tubing
Sledding is a past time for so many childhoods. I myself have vivid memories of plowing down a hill on a sled over flowing with cousins.
I wanted to put tubing in here as well because I feel like tubing has been becoming much more popular over the years. It quite possibly rivals sledding in many places. I know my kids have actually gone tubing a lot more than sledding.
Sledding and tubing a generally pretty low cost solutions for “what to do in the snow”. If you live somewhere where it snows predictably every winter then chances are you have a few sleds or tubes in your garage already. If you don’t you can pick up a sled at any good department store. However if you are like me and would rather someone else deliver it to your house you can order one here.
Finding somewhere to sled or tube can be a little tricky if you don’t have any hills near you. Therefore it might be up to your keen engineering skills to construct a snow hill in the back yard. Totally doable and all part of the fun. Teenagers seem to really get in on this idea.
Make Snow Ice Cream
Everyone loves ice cream! Snow ice cream is super simple to make and only takes a few minutes. I can almost guarantee you have the ingredients in your house right now.
Snow ice cream can be super ordinary or you can fancy it up and add in lots of fixings and mix ins. My kids love when I am in a “take it to the next level mood”. It is usually when we get in the most trouble and have the most craziest adventures. Snow ice cream with all the fixin’s would definitely be next level.
Check out this video tutorial on how to make it!
Have a Snowball War
Now, I am not talking a subdued snow ball fight, I am talking snowball war. Get a group of friends or families together, pick teams, make strategies and start an annual snowball war tradition.
I would even invest in some kind of trophy and give out prizes. Family memories and family culture is built upon traditions. They help to shape us into the people we become. It has absolutely nothing to do with hurling snow balls at each other but the time spent together.
Build an Igloo
I have always been fascinated by igloos and how they actually manage to keep you warm. They really are quite a wonderful creation.
Building and igloo can be a great “what to do in the snow” activity for the whole family. There is a role for everyone to take and it is such an accomplishment to complete. It might be an activity to work on over a long weekend or winter break when some cousins come to visit.
You can really test out how well your igloo building skills are by lighting a fire in it. If you are feeling super adventurous and brave maybe you can attempt a night camp out in the igloo!
Create Monster Foot Prints
This one is epically fun for little kids. What you need to do is find and old cardboard box. I am 99% sure there is an amazon box hidden somewhere in your house that you can use. If you get desparte then a cereal box will work. You want a thicker type cardboard though.
Once you have your box trace out some giant monster footprints, attach them to your child’s feet with a rubber band or tape. Let them stomp their way through the yard pretending to be a yeti.
Make Snow Paint
Snow paint is a brilliant way to get in a winter art activity. For younger kids a spray bottle works best but older kids do really well with squirt bottles for better precision.
All you need to do is fill whichever bottle you are using with some water and food colouring and then let the kids loose on the snow. Snow paint is a lot of fun to use to decorate your snow angels or snow men too
Debbie at One Little Project has the more precise measurements and some great tips
Build a Snow Volcano
A classic science experiment with a twist here! I love the idea of making the volcano out of snow. It requires no extra supplies other than the pantry staples of vinegar and baking soda.
If you are going to make a true exploding snow volcano make sure you add in the red food colouring. This will give a much more realistic impression of lava running down the sides.
Our kids really love the coke and Mentos experiments too. I feel like you could definitely figure out how to add this to your snow volcano.
Fill a cup with 1/4c of baking soda and plant it inside the volcano leaving an opening at the top for the crater. Pour in some vinegar premixed with a little red food colouring through the crater and enjoy the explosion. Better yet, the zero clean up!
Little Bins For Little Hands has some really interesting information about the science behind the experiment too.
Play Pin the Nose on the Snowman
This is a twist on the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Instead of a tail you are going to be using a carrot and instead of a donkey it will be a jolly old snowman…or lady whichever you prefer.
This is a great game for young and old, and an easy way to solve the “what to do in snow” conundrum when you are feeling like you have done all the snow things already this season.
DIY Snow Cones
Who said snow cones were only for summer?! You don’t even have to crank out the snow cone machine when you have mountains of glorious snow just sitting, quite literally on your doorstep.
Mix up your flavour combinations and try something new. You never know, maybe you will have a winter favourite that just doesn’t taste as good in summer.
Our favourites are always raspberry and pineapple. Can’t beat it any time of the year!
Backyard Winter Camping
I left this one right until the end because you have to be super brave to try it. Winter camping can be a lot of fun, yes even in the snow. It is a whole other kind of experience. You can read our winter camping tips here . Don’t let the weather put you off.
I think with young kids winter camping should be done in the backyard to start with. I like having the security of a warm bed if things start to go south. Even if you do end up spending the night in your tent, you can however enjoy all the camping traditions. Such as s’mores, campfires, telling scary stories and campfire sing a longs.
