Busy Toddler » Winter Activities » Winter Activities for Kids
Author: Susie
It’s time for snow, ice, and arctic activities to have their moment in the (cold) sun. These winter activities for kids are the perfect way to experience the season (even when the weather doesn’t totally cooperate). Enjoy these 20+ winter ideas for tabies, toddlers, preschoolers and even big kids.
Table of Contents:
- What are the best winter activities for kids
- Why do winter activities with kids?
- The best winter activities for kids
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best winter activities for kids
While the weather outside might not be the most inviting for kid activities right now, there are tons of ways for kids to experience winter from the warmth of inside.
And as much fun as it is to scroll Pinterest on a snowy day, it can be hard to find easy indoor and winter themed activities that are actually doable for kids.
There’s a lot of complicated stuff out there, ideas that take so much time and enough supplies to refill Michaels. I do not have time for this sort of winter activities.
So I went looking for truly easy winter activities for kids (that kids will absolutely love).
Looking for more structure each day?
Check out Playing Preschool: Busy Toddler’s 190-day at-home activities program
Why do winter activities with kids?
I love using activities as a first experience for kids.
When my oldest was a toddler, he had no understanding or context for what “winter” was because he didn’t remember it from last year. I turned to winter activities to lay a foundation for winter and expose him to the different parts of the season.
As we got more and more into winter, he understood. He had context. He was starting to see parts of his activities come to life in a very real way.
RELATED: Looking for other indoor activity ideas for kids? Check out this list.
The best winter activities for kids
Enjoy this curated list of easy activities for kids at winter times. These activities span broad age ranges and interests.
Tape Resist Snowflakes
We love tape resist art, and this winter snowflake version is fantastic. The best part of tape resist is how inclusive it is for different ages: from tiny toddlers or big kids, everyone can find success.
Painting on Snow
Bring the snow inside! Especially with little ones who aren’t into the cold, filling a container with snow and letting them paint it (with water and food coloring) is an A+ winter activity.
View on Busy Toddler
Snowman Ball Sort
One of the most inviting seasonal set ups for tabies and toddlers, the snowman ball sort is surprisingly easy to make (just use one of the many Amazon boxes you have in the garage…).
Penguin Ice Sensory
Some penguin toys, ice, and blue water: this is not to be missed. It’s such a simple activity for winter, but it’s absolute perfection.
Frozen Paint
Freeze paint (yes, paint!) to make “paint-sicles” for kids to create with. This is shockingly easy (and something I keep in my freezer year round).
View on Busy Toddler
Snowman Play Dough
This inviting play dough set-up absolutely crushes it in wintertime. Pull out all the extra craft supplies to make a myriad of snowmen.
Sticky Snowman
Use con-tact paper and craft supplies then let your taby or toddler go to work decorating their “sticky snowman.”
Feed the Snowman
Using an old creamer bottle and cotton balls, create a feed the bottle station for tabies and toddlers. Add a dice and make it a math activity for preschoolers. The possibilities are endless.
View on Busy Toddler
Winter Bear Rescue
The bears are frozen in ice! Time for a winter rescue. This idea from Days with Grey is too cute. Freezing toys is always a hit activity.
Frozen Bubbles
If you live in an area that gets cold enough (like this blogger in Wisconsin), make a batch of homemade bubbles and observe them freezing in the cold air. Seriously: they freeze.
Snow Dough
Have you ever made Snow dough? It’s different than play dough and seriously awesome. It’s a perfect winter activity for kids.
Arctic Habitat Sensory Bin
An unbelievably inviting sensory bin for children to play with. This winter activity for kids is the perfect blend of toys and sensory materials.
Painting Ice Cubes
Grab the ice from the freezer and toss it in a storage container. Let your kids paint the ice with
View on Busy Toddler
Threading Snowflakes
My kids love this activity! You’ll need pipe cleaners and beads. These turn out so cool!
Snow Paint
Fill the spray bottles and get the kids outside. This winter art activity is perfect for all kids ages.
Winter Tree Art
What’s awesome about this activity is the broad age range for it (it’s really perfect for all different stages). Don’t overlook this activity!
Winter Art Activity
Create winter mittens with glue, water, and tissue paper. This is a slow, methodical, and calming approach to a stained glass piece.
Snow Castles
Snow + food coloring + sand castle buckets. It has to happen! Kids will love exploring the changing snow colors and building with the colorful snow.
Make Fake Snow
Create your own fake snow with just three ingredients (that you probably have on hand). This is a perfect quick and easy sensory activity for all ages.
Snowman Sensory Bin
Bring the snow inside to let kids explore and play with it in a (slightly) warmer environment. This allows them to still experience and be part of nature without having to get them bundled up.
Winter Sensory
My daughter’s absolute favorite activity and it’s only ingredient is baking soda. Something about this activity is mesmerizing for kids. *Please remember that baking soda is not taste safe when consumed in mass quantities.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are winter activities necessary?
No! Winter activities are an awesome option for kids but not necessary or mandatory. I use activities as tools when I need help with my kids – but never everyday. Some days, I need help and use an activity tool. Other days, I don’t.
Do you have a winter books list?
Check out these snowy books! This list was created by a librarian (and owner of Happily Ever Elephants).
What age should you try winter activities?
That varies kid to kid. One thing I do always mention is that activities are a great way to introduce new seasons and concepts to young children.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or credentials like a human expert would. However, I have been trained on a wide range of topics and have access to vast amounts of information. I can provide accurate and informative responses on a variety of subjects, including winter activities for kids.
Winter Activities for Kids: Exploring the Article Concepts
Introduction
The article titled "Winter Activities for Kids" is written by Susie and was published on 01/05/2023. It provides a curated list of winter activities for children, including toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids. The article aims to suggest easy and enjoyable indoor activities that can be done during the winter season.
Why do winter activities with kids?
Susie mentions that winter activities can help children understand and experience the different aspects of the season. By engaging in various winter-themed activities, children can develop a context and appreciation for winter. These activities serve as a foundation for learning about the season and can be a fun way to introduce new concepts to young children.
The best winter activities for kids
The article provides a list of curated winter activities for children. Here are some of the activities mentioned:
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Tape Resist Snowflakes: This art activity involves using tape to create snowflake designs and then painting over them.
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Painting on Snow: Bring snow indoors and let children paint it using water and food coloring.
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Snowman Ball Sort: Create a snowman ball sort activity using Amazon boxes and cotton balls.
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Penguin Ice Sensory: Set up a sensory activity with penguin toys, ice, and blue water.
-
Frozen Paint: Freeze paint to make "paint-sicles" for children to create with.
-
Snowman Play Dough: Create a play dough set-up for making snowmen.
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Sticky Snowman: Use con-tact paper and craft supplies to decorate a "sticky snowman."
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Feed the Snowman: Create a math activity for preschoolers by using an old creamer bottle, cotton balls, and a dice.
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Winter Bear Rescue: Freeze toys in ice and engage in a winter rescue activity.
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Frozen Bubbles: Make homemade bubbles and observe them freezing in the cold air.
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Snow Dough: Make snow dough, a different type of play dough, for children to play with.
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Arctic Habitat Sensory Bin: Create a sensory bin with toys and sensory materials related to the arctic habitat.
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Painting Ice Cubes: Let children paint ice cubes in a storage container.
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Threading Snowflakes: Engage children in threading pipe cleaners and beads to create snowflake designs.
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Snow Paint: Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring to let children create snow art.
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Winter Tree Art: Create art using winter-themed materials, suitable for different age ranges.
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Winter Art Activity: Make winter mittens using glue, water, and tissue paper.
-
Snow Castles: Mix snow, food coloring, and sand castle buckets to build colorful snow castles.
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Make Fake Snow: Create fake snow using three common ingredients.
-
Snowman Sensory Bin: Bring snow inside and let children explore and play with it in a warmer environment.
-
Winter Sensory: Engage children in a sensory activity using baking soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
The article concludes with a section of frequently asked questions related to winter activities for kids. Some of the questions addressed include whether winter activities are necessary, whether there is a winter books list, and what age children should start trying winter activities.
Overall, the article provides a variety of winter activity ideas for kids and highlights the benefits of engaging in these activities during the winter season.
