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31+ Winter Activities for Kids

by Jean Van't Hul
November 12, 2022
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Looking for winter activities for kids? Here’s our printable list with winter crafts, outdoor snow ideas, winter art projects & book list!

Updated December 2022

It’s winter here in the northern hemisphere which means it’s time for sledding, ice skating, building snowmen, hot chocolate, and, perhaps, more indoor activities than usual.

Here’s more than 31 ideas for winter activities for kids to keep busy all month long. This list includes both outdoor ideas and indoor ideas. It’s a mix of snow play, art activities, crafts, construction, and, of course, a winter book list for kids. These are great ways to keep occupied during the winter months!

winter activities for kids

Winter Activities for Kids

For a printable version of the list, scroll down to the bottom of this post to get a handy PDF version!

snowball lantern_gina vide
Photo by Gina Vide

5 Outdoor Snow Play Ideas

First up is outdoor play! These are probably going to be any kids’ favorite winter activities because they truly capture the special nature of this season. It’s a winter wonderland out there, so go enjoy it!

1) Make Swedish snowball lanterns

2) Send the kids on a winter scavenger hunt with colored ice sculptures

3) Build a snowman!

4) Host a backyard winter Olympics (on Rain or Shine Mama)

5) Go on a winter nature walk (on How Wee Learn)

glue resist winter watercolors
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

5 Winter Art Activities

Now for some indoor activities. But just because you are warm inside doesn’t mean you can’t draw inspiration from the season. Here’s a bunch of fun art projects that your kids will enjoy:

6) Make glue resist snowman paintings

7) Paint winter scenes with this easy snow painting technique

8) Microwave puffy paint snowflakes and snowmen

9) Try a Jan Brett inspired winter art activity

10) Make a stained-glass bunting (with words & wishes for the new year)

ice sculptures
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

7 Art Activities with Snow and Ice

Or combine the art & play outdoors. Take art projects outside for some truly unique activities that you couldn’t make any other time of year!

11) Build colored ice sculptures

12) Paint snow with spray bottles (on The Resourceful Mama)

13) Make painted ice lanterns (on Willowday)

14) Experiment with ice, salt, and food coloring

15) Make glowing snow paint (on Growing a Jeweled Rose)

16) Try this snowy day tissue paper art (on Fireflies and Mudpies)

17) Create a nature ice wreath

Spritzing bleeding tissue paper snowflakes on white paper
Photo by Rachel Withers

5 Winter Crafts for Kids

And here are 5 fun and unique winter art projects that are suitable for all skill levels.

18) Use bleeding tissue paper to make snowflake prints

19) Use contact paper and yarn to make sticky snowflakes

20) Paint with ice (on Easy Peasy and Fun)

21) Cut and paint coffee filter snowflakes

22) Sew paper plate snowflake yarn art (on I Heart Crafty Things)

Child with winter sensory play bin instant snow
Photo by Rachel Withers

5 Indoor Winter Play Ideas

And for times when everyone prefers to stay warm here are some ideas for winter play indoors.

23) Try small world pretend play with fake snow (or real snow)

24) Build snowmen out of playdough and decorate with beads or buttons

25) Build and play with a lighted cardboard dollhouse

26) Try one of these winter-themed sensory play ideas!

27) Have a game night

building with toothpicks and grapes
Photo by Jean Van’t Hul

5 Construction Ideas

Kids love to build things, and winter provides its own fair share of building materials right on the ground! You can build indoors or outdoors, and we’ve provided both options below:

28) Build with toothpicks and grapes, cranberries, marshmallows, or gumdrops

29) Make an igloo out of sugar cubes (on Dixie Crystals)

30) Build an indoor fort or igloo

31) Use these brick molds to build the perfect snow fort

32) Build the perfect snowman (from the Spruce)

winter books

Read Winter Books for Kids

33) Head to the library and check out some books about winter.

Need some suggestions? Ask your children’s librarian or try some of these:

winter activities printable

Would you like a printable version of 31 Winter Activities for Kids to hang on your fridge? 

Enter your name and email in the pop-up and receive a PDF delivered straight to your inbox!

We hope our winter activities provide your family with inspiration and ideas for embracing creativity with your family through the winter months.

How about you? What are your favorite winter activities for kids? 

More Winter Activities for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Winter Fun Creativity pack!

Cozy up with some of our favorite wintertime activities for creative kids! This pack has 40 pages of winter-themed art activities that will keep your kids busy even on the snowiest day!

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31+ Winter Activities for Kids

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