Winter Activities for Kids: Snow Days and Cold Weather

Snow days and cold afternoons can feel long. A few ready ideas make them easier for everyone.

Keep a snow day list

Write down eight to ten activities you can do at home. When school is canceled or it is too cold to play outside, you will not need to invent a plan. Let children choose from the list so they feel part of the decision.

Offer quiet activities

Coloring pages, word searches and mazes work well after lunch or during a grown-up phone call. Keep pencils, crayons and a clipboard in one basket so setup takes no time.

Add games

Bingo, I spy and scavenger hunts can be played with the whole family. A scavenger hunt through the house, with items such as something soft, something red and something that starts with B, keeps kids moving without leaving the building.

Mix in a little learning

Math puzzles, reading time and short writing prompts can fit into a snow day without feeling like school. Ask kids to keep a weather journal, write a short story about a snowman or measure how much snow fell if there is any.

Make something

Paper crafts, gift tags and kindness cards use supplies you probably already have. Children can make a card for a neighbor, grandparent or friend and deliver it later.

Get outside when it is safe

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests dressing in layers and limiting time outside in very cold weather, and it lists signs of frostbite and hypothermia to watch for at cdc.gov. Plan short outdoor breaks, then come in for cocoa.

Give them a job

Children like being helpful. Let them help stir soup, set the table or fold laundry. A simple helper chart shows what they can do.

Match activities to ages

Younger children enjoy coloring, tracing and matching. Early readers can try word searches and bingo. Older kids can plan a game night or write their own puzzle. Offer two or three choices instead of a long list.

Start with a ready-made pack

If you would like all of these in one printable file, the Winter Kids Activity Pack includes coloring pages, puzzles, games, crafts and an activity calendar, ready to print today.