Fun Things to Do on a Snow Day – Indoor & Outdoor Activities

Looking for some fun activities for the kids during the snowy days?

A snow day is the perfect time to introduce fun snow activities that help create more quality time with the whole family.

With a little bit of preparation, you can easily create and cross off a list of things that your kids will actually want to do on their next snow day.

I’m a huge fan of keeping it simple while keeping it FUN! Use these suggestions as a guide, then pick and choose what works for you and your season of life.

You definitely won’t run out of fun things to do on a snow day.

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Outdoor Winter Activities

Unplanned snow storms can happen at any time during the winter time. Beat cabin fever and get some fresh air with these great ideas during winter break or when a surprise snow day happens.

Some of these snow activities could last the whole day, or you can save some of them for your next snow day.

Build a Snowman

Create a snowman the old-fashioned way or use some assistance with a snowman mold and snowman kit with all of the accessories.

You can challenge your kids to find a creative way to build a snowman by supplying random props they must incorporate.

Go Sledding

Kids will have so much fun creating ramps in their backyard or visiting the local sledding hill.

Need to upgrade your sledding gear? Check out these options.

• Plastic sled
• Snow Tube
• Bobsled
• Snow Scooter Sled
• Snowboard Sled
• Ski Skates
• Toboggan
• Kicksled (I tried kick sledding in Door County, Wisconsin)

Make Snow Angels

Snow angles are a fun way for kids to see their silhouettes in the snow.

Make Snow Paint with Food Coloring and Water

Fill a squirt bottle or spray bottle with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bottle of water and mix it. The more individual bottles of colored water, the better.

This is a fun way for kids to be artistic on snowy days.

Build a Snow Fort or Igloo

Kids can have a great time building a giant snow fort or igloo in the snow. Using a snow block maker can help create an igloo in less time.

Catch Snowflakes or Try a Science Experiment

The cold weather can work in your favor for outdoor science experiments. You can freeze bubbles on a frigid day and watch them crystalize before your eyes.

Look for Animal Tracks

Kids can search for animal footprints in the snow and try to identify each animal.

Make an Obstacle Course

Older kids could come up with great ideas for the challenges. Pool noodles could help create boundaries or an imaginary log to cross.

You can also use a pool noodle for target practice.

Collapsible tunnels could also be fun for kids to crawl through. If the snow is REALLY deep, you can create a snow maze.

Play Snow Games

Go on a treasure hunt, play Capture the Flag, a game of tag, or make up your own.

Throw Snowballs

For additional fun use a snowball maker and stock up before you start your snowball fight.

Play With Sand Toys in the Snow

Sandcastle toys can double as snow castle toys on your next snow day.

• Shovels
• Buckets
• Dump Trucks
• Sand Molds of different shapes and sizes

Indoor Snow Day Activities

If you need to take a break from the cold weather, there are plenty of indoor activities to keep kids occupied. Here is a list of things to do that can be an alternative to endless hours of video games.

Make a Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa Bar

Let everyone choose from their favorite toppings on the kitchen table for their ultimate hot drink.

• Mallow bit (small marshmallows)
• Peppermint chips
• PEEPS Marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Peanut Butter chips
• Peppermint Poles
• Toffee Bits
• Cinnamon
• Chopped nuts
• Pretzel rods
• Irish Creme
• Chocolate syrup
• Caramel syrup
• Sprinkles
• Whipped Creme
• Carmel sauce or Kraft caramel bits
• Chocolate Creme Pirouettes

Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Create a list of items for kids to search for…maybe that missing sock from the dryer.

Here are a few ideas:

• Something square
• A red item
• A book with animals
• Something soft
• A rubber band
• Something with the letter Z
• A ball
• Playing card
• Purple crayon
• A horse
• Favorite toy
• A toy with wheels
• Hairbrush

Play Board Games, Card Games, or Work on a Puzzle

Here are a few suggestions:

• Candyland
• Guess Who
• Monopoly Jr.
• Connect 4
• Clue Junior
• Mouse Trap
• Trouble
• Operation
• Perfection
• Twister
• UNO

If you don’t want to play a game for hours set a timer and whoever is ahead when the time is up wins.

Make Snow Ice Cream

You can make homemade ice cream from snow using the following recipe:

Snow Cream Ingredients

• 8-12 cups of snow (fresh white snow is best…stay clear of yellow snow)
• 10 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Large bowl
• measuring cup
• wooden spoon
• freezer-proof container for storing your leftovers

Fill a large bowl with fresh snow. Add half a can of condensed milk and a tablespoon of vanilla to the snow. Stir and add more snow or condensed milk as needed.

Freeze the remaining ice cream to enjoy at another time.

Have an Indoor Picnic

Grab some paper plates and enjoy your lunch of choice on a large blanket for an indoor picnic in your living room.

Using cups with lids is a good idea if you are having an indoor picnic with little kids.

Simple snack/meal ideas include:

• Lunchables
• Cheese and crackers
• Pizza
• Deli Sandwiches or wraps
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• Grilled Cheese
• Macaroni and cheese
• Nachos

Have a Dance Party With Your Favorite Tunes

Play your favorite songs and teach each other popular dance moves or make up your own. Bonus points go to the best dancer in the group.

Make Bird Feeders

Kids can help make a homemade bird feeder with many items that can be found around the house.

Here are some easy homemade bird feeder ideas to get you started.

Indoor Snowball Fight

An indoor snowball fight is a fun activity for the entire family.

You can use the following materials for an indoor snowball fight.

• Ping pong balls
• Newspaper or Scrap Paper
• Jumbo Cotton balls
• Official Indoor Snowballs
• Rope for a dividing line

Take a Bubble Bath

A hot bubble bath is a nice way to warm up after spending time in the cold weather. You can buy a little more time with bathtub paint, bath bombs, and bath toys.

Complete a Crossword Puzzle

Challenge the kids to complete a crossword puzzle in a specific amount of time. You could also challenge them to create their own crossword puzzle.

Make Homemade Play Dough with Jello or Kool-Aid

Kids can work on their fine motor skills with hands-on play.

Here’s what you need to make your own play-dough:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 package of Jello (sugar-free or regular)

Another easy option is to put shaving cream on a baking sheet for kids to play with.

Bake Cookies

Snow days are always a good time to make cookies. Keep things simple with cut and slice cookies and add your own frosting.

If you need a REALLY simple peanut butter cookie recipe I have you covered.

• 1 cup of peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• Bake at 350 on a nonstick cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes.

Read Your Favorite Book

Set a time to curl up with a good book in your favorite rooms of the house.

Play Balloon Tennis

Blow up a few balloons and make a dividing line in the room. Try to see how long players can hit the balloon back and forth before it touches the ground.

Learn About Snow Animals

If you are looking for educational activities, kids can look up information on their favorite snow animal on websites like Nat Geo Kids.

Make Snow Candy With Maple Syrup

I was first introduced to maple syrup taffy on the snow in Quebec City, Canada and you can make taffy with pure maple syrup at home too.

You’ll need the following:

• 1 gallon of clean fresh snow
• 2 cups real maple syrup
• Wooden popsicle sticks

Put fresh snow in a baking dish or large bowl. Bring the taffy to a boil over the stovetop over medium heat while stirring with a wooden spoon.

It’s ready when a small amount of syrup can form a ball when dropped in cold water or your candy thermometer reads around 240 Fahrenheit.

Next, you pour a few tablespoons of syrup in thin lines of the snow in the bowl or dish.

The syrup strips will harden in a few seconds and then attach them to your wooden stick by wrapping and twisting.

Make a Human Toilet Paper Mummy

Designate a few rolls of toilet paper and let your kids have a blast wrapping each other up as a mummy.

Dress Up in Old Halloween Costumes

Kids can put on their Halloween costumes from last year or use elements from a few costumes to create a new superhero, princess, or monster.

Make a Popsicle Stick Puppet Show

A popsicle stick puppet show is a fun idea for kids with an active imagination. Gather your craft supplies to give each puppet individual flair. Or you can use a hand puppet-making kit.

You can do themed puppets around the holidays. (Polar Express around Christmas, President’s Day, Mardi Gras, or Valentine’s Day.)

Set Up a Giant Blanket Fort in Your Living Room

Gather a bunch of flat sheets and sleeping bags to create the ultimate blanket fort.

Additional supplies include pillows, couch cushions, string, and clothespins to help keep the sheets secure.

If you prefer to keep your bedding on your beds you might want to consider a fort-making kit instead.

Which Snow Day Activity Do You Want to Try Next?