We all love a snowy day! Building snowmen, making snow angels, and watching our kiddos enjoy the snow is always a joy. But little ones can only stay out in the cold for so long before cold noses and toes bring us inside. So what do you do with the rest of your time on a cold and snowy day (after the warm cocoa and blankets, of course!)
Playing Kneebouncer Games is always a great idea! Penguins, introduce your kids to numbers 1-20 in our wintry game Numbrrrrs. Or, if all the snow makes you wish for spring, you can practice your ABCs playing Flower Power!
However, we know your kiddos can’t spend all day on devices, so we put together a list of 10 fantastic indoor snowy day activities when you’re ready for an electronic break.
Build a Fort
Who doesn’t love a fort? A cozy hiding place filled with pillows, books, and toys is perfect for a snowy day. And if you have the space, you can leave it up for days or weeks! Add some fairy lights, and you’ve created a magical hideout for your kids’ imagination to soar.
The whole family can get in on the fun. There are so many different ways to build a fort, too! You can use pillows, blankets, tablecloths, sheets, chairs, cushions, and more! Test your little one’s engineering skills as you work together to create the perfect design.
Learn About Ice Crystals
Science experiments are always fun and hanging ways to keep kids entertained while stuck inside. Go with the theme outdoors and learn about ice crystals together. Head over to Learning Zone, a STEM-based preschool located in Tennessee, for a simple yet educational experiment you can conduct with children of any age on ice.
Supplies:
- distilled water
- tap water
- 2 plastic ice cube trays or 2 small plastic containers
- freezer
Learning Zone provides an educational experiment and explains science in an easy-to-understand way. Check out their blog to learn more about STEM education at the preschool level!
Put on a Play
Have a budding performer on your hands? Put on a play, puppet show, or musical performance. You can spend the day planning costumes, practicing, and designing sets, then perform it for the rest of the family that night! You could even create a Zoom production for grandparents or other family members who are not nearby.
Kids of all ages can get involved with performing, and it is an excellent way to teach your children about live theater, music, and dance. You could also check out some videos of live performances online! We love watching movie versions of musicals, but there is something special about watching the stage version.
Here’s a list of kid-friendly stage shows recorded live that you can stream right in your living room!
- Shrek the Musical on Prime Video
- Beauty and the Beast (Starring Josh Groban) on Disney+
- Oklahoma! (Starring Hugh Jackman) on Prime Video
- Anything Goes on Prime Video
- Newsies on Disney+
- Hairspray Live! on Prime Video
Bake Something
Bake something warm and cozy on a cold, snowy day! There are many delicious ways to get your little one involved in the kitchen, from cookies to brownies to breads. Teach them a traditional family recipe, break out the cookie cutters, and have fun making and decorating different shapes.
Even toddlers can help mash bananas, whisk eggs, or pour M&Ms into the cookie batter. Don’t feel like turning on the oven? Check out this list of no-bake recipes from www.allrecipes.com
Marshmallow Catapults
Making marshmallow catapults will delight kids of all ages on a snowy day. Although some planning is required to ensure you have all the supplies on hand, with a few simple items, your kids can engage in STEM learning and have a lot of fun!
hello, Wonderful has a video with instructions and excellent visuals on how to make marshmallow catapults.
Supplies:
- plastic spoons
- wooden craft sticks
- rubber bands
- mini marshmallows
Drive-In Movie
Give your kids that drive-in movie feel by creating a couple of cars using cardboard boxes. Spruce up their cars by adding comfy pillows and kid-friendly snacks. Pirate Booty is a safer alternative than popcorn for kids, and remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends never giving kids under the age of 4 popcorn.
Let your child help out by giving them markers, crayons, and stickers to decorate and detail their car. Add fairy lights to the room to make it look like stars are twinkling above; then turn off the lights and enjoy a snowy family movie night!
Indoor Snowball Fight
Allowing your kids to throw things indoors is guaranteed to bring joy! If you have a large enough space or can move some furniture out of the way, let your kids have fun tossing “snowballs” at each other. We recommend crumpling paper into balls or using yarn balls so nothing gets broken and no one gets hurt. Plastic ball pit balls are another option; you may already have some lying around!
You can turn the snowball fight into a challenge. See how many snowballs they can toss into a laundry basket in one minute or how many times they can toss a ball back and forth without letting it touch the ground. There are lots of fun ways to play with indoor snowballs and get some exercise, too!
Indoor Picnic
Who says picnics are only for sunny, warm days? Have an indoor picnic right on the floor of your living room! Chances are you have all the food needed for a kid-approved picnic in your pantry. Your child can help you pack your picnic basket.
You can play picnic games like balloon volleyball, indoor ring, or bean bag toss! Use a portable speaker to play fun, upbeat music to add summery vibes to your snowy day. Or, you could create an indoor camping space and make a cozy fire in your fireplace!
Snow Sensory Tub
Bring the snow indoors and play with it until it melts! All you need is a large, shallow plastic tub and some kitchen implements, and your kids can enjoy the snow from the warm comfort of indoors.
Add food coloring or liquid watercolor to the snow to make colorful designs. We love this indoor snow painting blog from busytoddler.com
Supplies:
- large plastic tub
- paint brushes
- food coloring or liquid watercolor
- small plastic cups
Window Art
Window clings are a creative way to let your child enjoy a snowy day indoors. There are window clings for almost every holiday and season, and you find them online, at the dollar store, or at any major retailer. You can also find window cling kits your kid can use to create their own designs.
You can create your own window cling art with clear contact paper and art supplies like sequins, pom-poms, colorful feathers, and colored tissue paper. Hand a large piece of contact paper, sticky-side facing you, and give your child various materials to stick to the paper.
No matter which activities you choose or if you come up with your own, there are so many wonderful ways to spend a snowy day indoors!
February 13, 2025, by L. Elizabeth Forry
