There are many ways to keep kids outside in the cold winter months and still have fun. Any of these ideas will appeal to children of all ages.
Snow Maze
If the yard is big enough, create a snow maze. Simply take a shovel and create a zigzagging path, piling up snow along the edge. It is important to do this right after the first snow fall so subsequent snow falls can build up along the walls. Spraying water on the walls will help seal them. The walls should be at least 4 feet high to be the most fun for kids.
Snow Shoe Fun
Snow shoes are a great idea for children to get out and play in the snow. Many sports stores and toy stores now carry versions for kids. They can race each other wearing them or simply use them for walking through parks or along trails. Another fun option are mini skis or snow blades. Also inexpensive, these are great for going down small hills or just sliding along the snow.
Snow Forts
Snow forts are easy to make using snow block tools. These plastic tools are inexpensive and found at most toy stores. They easily mold snow into bricks that can be used to build any kind of structure. Again, to really hold the structure in place, spray it with water on a really cold night so it will freeze.
Snow Obstacles
Kids love to climb. Create an obstacle course out of mounds of snow of different shapes and sizes that children can climb and then slide down. Carve holes into the mounds for their feet to go in to make it easier to get to the top.
Snow Golf
Create a variety of holes in the snow using a hollow tube. Then have kids try and chip brightly colored plastic golf balls into the holes. Even if the ball rolls across the snow into the holes it will be fun. Have them wear snow shoes when they do this as to not create further holes in the snow.
Ice Slides
A slide doesn't have to be down a hill to be fun. Take any flat pile of snow, make it icy with water, and then have kids take a run at it holding a small inner tube or boogie board like the ones used in the pool or at the beach. They can drop down onto the tube and slide pretty far. Make sure there are no trees or fences for them to run into.
From snow mazes to snow shoes to obstacle courses, there are so many fun activities for children to play in the winter months.
Gail Oliver - Gail is an author, writer and researcher. She has been quoted in magazines as diverse as Cosmopolitan and Maclean's. Gail writes on a ...
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