5 Fun & Simple Winter Activities!

Whether you’re looking for something fun to do inside or out, these activities will boost the winter blahs.

Paint the snow!
Fill a re-usable spray bottle with water and 3-4 drops of food coloring. Make a few different colors and head outside to paint in the snow!




Make easy paper snowflakes

Take a dessert plate or large round soup bowl and turn it upside down onto a sheet of white paper to trace it. Cut out the circle and fold it in half. Fold it in half at least one or two more times. Cut out different notches and unfold to see your creation.

For inspiration check out the book The Art of the Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht…a photographic journey into the tiny world of the snowflake. It showcases hundreds of beautiful snowflakes images.

You can also try making your own virtual snowflake at Make-a-Flake. Click on “make your own snowflake”, wield the virtual scissors and you’re on your way!

Turn your tried-and-true games into winter versions.

Think winter pictionary (where players draw winter themed things like sleds or ice skates), pin the carrot nose (or top hat) on frosty, or winter charades (select books or movies with a winter theme).

You can also make your own winter word search. There are many different sites online to help you do this, but I found this one to be quite easy to use. Just enter as many search words as you’d like (like winter, boots, snow and ice), hit “create page” and your word search is instantly created. Just print it off and you’re all set.

Try a new winter sport.

Think ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, ice skating, winter hiking or camping. You can also call or check the web site for your local Nature Center to see if they have any winter activities scheduled. Most are pretty reasonably priced and have programs that include nature themed arts and crafts for the kids. Visit your states Department of Natural Resources web site to get ideas on where to go in your area.

If you have just a little spare time, pack up the sleds and go to a local park with a good sized hill. Or look for a ski hill in your area that caters to sledding for a more high-flying adventure.

You can also try winter Letterboxing. Snow will add a fun, new challenge to this sport that’s known to be a combination of treasure hunt, navigation and exploration. Take a look at my previous post on Letterboxing if you're not familiar with it.

Enjoy these Marshmallow Candy Treats

After being out in the cold, head inside to warm up and enjoy something sweet. You can spruce up your hot chocolate with these, or enjoy them on their own. Here’s how to make this yummy sweet treat.

Melt some chocolate chips, candy melts, chocolate bars or confectionery coating in the microwave, stirring often. Dip marshmallows ¾ of the way into the melted candy coating. (If you have some craft sticks, insert one into each marshmallow first, then dip). You can then dip them in sprinkles or nuts if you’d like. Place them onto a plate (chocolate side up) to let them harden, or place them in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to speed up the process. These are also a great addition to hot chocolate. Just stir one into a warm cup of cocoa for an extra special treat.

If you’re looking for other fun activities to do in the winter, visit the post “The Wonder of Winter. 8 ways you can connect with nature in winter."

Stay warm everyone! And have fun trying something new this winter!

Follow my blog and you’ll always have fun and easy activities in your back pocket!


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Have a great idea that I didn't include? Suggestions for future post topics?

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The Wonder of Winter 8 ways you can connect with nature in winter.

If you're feeling like we are at this time of the year...a little cooped up...then this is the perfect time to head outside and do some exploring. Here are 8 activities you can do to stay connected to nature in the colder months of the year.

Listen to the sounds of winter, and talk about how they are different from those you hear in summer.

Experiment with different food choices at your bird feeders. Try suet and different seeds or mixes. You can also make a bird feeder out of a pine cone stuffed with peanut butter and rolled in seed (switch to vegetable shortening if there are peanut allergies!).

Look at something from far away, and again close-up...maybe a pine tree, for example. Describe it from far away and then come close and look at the bark, the needles, and the cones. Talk about the details you may not have seen if you had only looked at it from afar.


 

 

Blow bubbles in winter and watch them freeze!

If you live where there's snow...make an obstacle course in the snow. Build hills, turns and paths in the snow to make a course and have the kids run it relay style. Use sleds to mark the turns or the end point. You can use colored water (a few drops of food coloring in a spray bottle with water) to spray some color onto the snow to mark the starting line, finish and turns.

Make ice cream with snow! Steve Spangler has a recipe you can try.

Examine a snowflake up-close! Chill a piece of black construction paper in your fridge or freezer and take it outside when it's snowing. Use it to catch snowflakes and then to look up-close at the different shapes they have (use a magnifying glass for an even closer look).

Follow animal tracks in the snow...either right in your yard, or head off to a local park or walking path.

I hope you have a great time exploring this winter!

Please remember...safety first!! All activities are to be done with the guidance of a parent or guardian.

To reference this post directly, use this link.