Fun Snow Activities for the Whole Family
Winter is a magical time for kids, especially after a fresh dumping of snow. If you’re looking for fun, creative, and easy ways to get outside with kids of all ages, here’s a list of fun snow activities to try…
Snow Activities for the Whole Family:
Go Tobogganing
You know this is any kid’s number one winter activity. And it is not without risk! But when the amount of snow is right, going tobogganing is one of the top snow activities for kids of all ages.
Family Skating
They don’t need to be the next Sidney Crosby or Virtue and Moir, but every Canadian kid should know how to skate. And once they learn, going skating as a family is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy winter with your kids.
Winter Hikes
The best snow activities don’t always require special skills or equipment. Sometimes bundling up and going on a winter hike together is a wonderful way to see beyond your backyard and explore local areas. Check out these great winter hikes for families in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver
Snow Sculpting with Sand Toys
Who says sand toys are just for the beach? Bring out those buckets, shovels, and molds that gather dust during the winter months to build snow castles, animals, or even an entire snowy village. Wet, packable snow works best, and adding food colouring mixed with water can bring your creations to life!
Snowy Treasure Hunts
Bundle up for a slow-paced nature walk where kids can collect pinecones, twigs, and interesting rocks to bring home for crafts. You can also create a simple scavenger hunt—challenge your child to find animal tracks, create a perfectly round snowball, or (carefully!) collect an icicle.
Snow Painting
Fill spray bottles or squeeze bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring, then let kids “paint” the snow. They can decorate their snow creations, write messages, or make colourful snow art in the yard.
Build a Snow Obstacle Course
Use packed snow to create little mounds to jump over, tunnels to crawl through, or paths to follow. Add some hula hoops or sticks for balance challenges, and let your little ones race through their custom-made course.
Ice or Snow Block Building
Fill small containers with water and let them freeze outside overnight to create ice “bricks.” You can even add food colouring for a cool effect! Stack them up like Legos to build forts, towers, and walls.
Mini Snowball Target Practice
Set up empty cans, paper towel rolls, or a chalk-drawn target on a fence, then let your kids practice their aim with soft, fluffy snowballs. You can even turn it into a counting or colour-matching game.
Teddy Bear Winter Picnic
Lay out a blanket and bring a few stuffed animals outside for a short and sweet winter picnic. A thermos of hot chocolate, a snack, and some cozy mittens make it feel extra special for little ones.
Frozen Bubbles
On extra-cold days, try blowing bubbles outside and watch them freeze into delicate ice orbs! Some may shatter like glass, while others stay intact for a magical frozen effect.
Animal Track Detective Game
After a snowfall, look for tracks in your backyard or a local park. Try to guess which animals made them, or bring a simple nature guidebook to help identify them. If you don’t find any, make your own by stomping in different patterns!
Snowy Sensory Bins
For toddlers on days when it’s too chilly to stay outside for long, bring a bin of fresh snow inside and let little hands explore. Add cups, spoons, toy animals, or food colouring to make it a fun, mess-free sensory play experience.
Winter fun doesn’t have to mean expensive gear or high-energy sports. Simple snow activities like playing in creative ways can turn a regular snow day into a magical one! So, bundle up, get outside, and enjoy winter with your little ones.
What are your family’s favourite winter traditions? Share them in the comments!
