No question, summer offers children plenty of play, fun, and activities. But what about winter? Unfortunately, the cold season is often completely underestimated. Adults prefer to hide indoors when it’s cold. However, that’s out of the question for kids! Children want to experience something, and the best place for that is outside in nature. So bundle up in cozy warm clothes and head outdoors. If you’re still missing the right ideas, you can get inspired by our suggestions for outdoor children’s games. Of course, there are also leisure activity ideas for when the snow is slow to arrive.
Guaranteed fun factor: Funny snowball games for kids
Besides a snowball fight, there’s plenty more you can do with snowballs. Who can make the most balls in two minutes, or who can create the biggest snowball? Alternatively, kids can practice their aim outside. To do this, draw circles of different sizes as targets on the house wall. Now the kids have to try to hit the targets with a snowball. Each circle size corresponds to a different point value. As a variation, buckets can be set up. The little target pros then try to throw snowballs into the buckets. Outdoor games like dodgeball can also be wonderfully adapted and played outside. Simply mark out a sufficiently large playing field and divide it into two halves. The team that hits the opposing team ten times with a snowball wins. If it’s not snowy outside, no problem—a soft ball can easily replace the snowball in the game.
Classic children’s game: Building a snowman
Nothing is as popular with little ones in winter as our white, round-bellied friend with a carrot nose. Creativity knows no bounds: a carrot or a twig for the nose, buttons for eyes, and Brussels sprouts for the mouth. Our tip: Why does it always have to be a snowman? When parents let their children get creative, very imaginative figures can emerge. The fun factor is guaranteed during the subsequent sculpture guessing game.
Crafting fun outdoors too
Crafting usually happens indoors at the table. But why? There are plenty of ideas online for making beautiful things outdoors with natural materials. Especially if it stays green rather than white outside, a lovely forest mandala is recommended. On a walk, children can collect twigs, pine cones, or small stones. Then the items are arranged in a circular pattern. Voilà! The landscape art is complete. A nice children’s game with a learning effect: the seemingly insignificant gains a special meaning through creative play.
Little expert sniffers: Treasure hunt outdoors
When everything outside is covered like powdered sugar, a little treasure hunt is a great idea. Simply hide an object in the snow. The little ones can then go searching armed with a small shovel. Of course, this game also works without the beautiful white snow. Small items can easily be hidden in the garden. If the treasure is sweets or a small surprise, the game has a special appeal for the little ones. Using “hot” or “cold” clues, the little explorers can be guided in the right direction.
For shovel artists: Building an igloo
When there’s plenty of snow outside, you can build a small retreat with the children. First, pile up a good heap of snow. From the planned door, dig into the heap until the desired wall thickness is reached. Those who want to give their igloo some charm can add a small window or seating. Our tip: Hot cocoa tastes especially good in a self-built igloo.
Outdoor movement games
Classic movement games for children are great in any weather. Have you ever heard of the balloon rocket? In this game, a balloon is inflated and held tightly at the opening with both fingers. On the command “Ready, set, go,” the balloon is released and zooms away like a rocket. The kids then try to catch the balloon before it hits the ground. Alternatively, nature memory outdoors provides lots of fun and exercise. Simply collect various natural items and lay them out openly on the ground. The little explorers have to find matching objects in this game. This way, children exercise their memory while discovering nature.
Sledding fun for little slope mice
Children love to race down hills on sleds in winter. To make the experience even more exciting, small jumps or an obstacle course can be built. With a wooden sled, the kids are going rustic, as it can withstand a lot.
Image rights: ©Thinkstock / Oksana_Schmidt
