The winter months can be long for anyone, but especially for little ones. If it’s too cold to get outside, one of the main concerns is that kids who usually can run and play free in the sunshine might end up with too much sedentary time and too much screen time. All of this, as we know, can lead to a whole lot of mischief, not to mention triggering the dreaded, “Mommmmy, I’m borrrrred.”
Luckily, there are still plenty of fun activities for toddlers, even when it’s cold outside. With a bit of intention — and a little shopping for the necessary supplies — parents can create a bucket list of fun things to do in the snow or indoors to ensure kids stay engaged, learning and active, even in the coldest months. Here are 101 winter activities for preschoolers and toddlers to fill your winter days with a bit more excitement and joy.
Sensory winter activities for toddlers
1. Use contact paper, cotton balls and Q-tips to make a DIY snowy window.
2. Sparkly cloud dough will have your little one spellbound and quietly creating on snowy days.
3. This winter slime recipe is not only exciting to play with, but also to make.
4. A no-mess winter sensory bag is a simple and fun DIY.
5. Penguins aren’t the only ones who can have fun with ice. This penguin sensory game is easy to set up and requires minimal items.
6. This two-ingredient snow dough is soft, sparkly and the perfect boredom buster for little hands.
7. The weather outside might be frightful, but kids can still explore snow with this fake snow recipe.
8. A Paw Patrol toy rescue game is an easy entertainer on a wintery day.
9. If your little loves all things trucks (and maybe even snowplows), check out this road crew sensory bin.
10. No snow is required to build this snowman in a bag!
11. Craft this winter sensory bottle just in time for snowy days.
12. Boost your little one’s fine motor skills by building snowflakes on mirrors.
13. Let your child’s toys go ice skating with this ice skating sensory bin.
14. Edible pretend snow is an easy, non-toxic option for littles. You just need a loaf (or two) of bread, and they’ll have plenty of entertainment.
15. Penguin lovers will have a blast with this penguin sensory tray that uses Epsom salt and blue gems.
16. Nothing screams winter quite like hot chocolate does, so make a hot chocolate sensory bin to celebrate the season.
17. Rice makes this winter-themed sensory activity a true attention-grabber for toddlers.
18. This winter hat sensory bag uses hair gel and poms to help teach kids colors and fine motor skills.
19. Christmas sensory jars are a great way to celebrate the season.
20. Edible hot chocolate cloud dough is a toddler-approved sensory experience.
Energy-burning games and activities for toddlers
21. Practice throwing with this snowman cup game.
22. Have a dance party with wintery tunes!
23. Gather some simple household supplies, and your child can ”feed” the snowman on a winter afternoon.
24. Don’t underestimate the power of a roll of painter’s tape with this active tape-jumping game.
25. Remember wheelbarrow races? Young kids will get a kick out of this energy-burning activity, and you’ll get some exercise too!
26. Use a balloon to play indoor tennis or volleyball.
27. Jumping on beds might not be ideal, but walking on pillows and cushions could be. Line cushions up on the floor to make a path, and then let kids think they’re on a magical quest.
28. Indoor bowling with bubble wrap will have your kids excited for another snow day.
29. Burn energy and learn at the same time with this alphabet-inspired name hop game.
30. Challenge your tots to move like various insects with this fun printable dice.
31. Create your own ball pit using an inflatable pool and ball pit balls.
32. Make indoor snowballs, then check out these five games for indoor snowball play.
33. Create an indoor scavenger hunt for toys or stuffed animals. You could even have kids hunt for magnetic letters around the house.
34. Create an indoor hopscotch using painter’s tape. It’s OK if you join in too!
35. Have a crab walk race to expend some pent-up energy.
36. Create a hallway obstacle course using tape. Make it so kids have to crawl under, over and through the tape to reach the end. They’ll feel like ninja kids in no time!
37. Play “Red Light, Green Light.”
38. Practice listening skills by playing “Simon Says.”
39. Everyone in the family can play winter Bingo. You could even award fun prizes to the winners.
40. Number recognition plus movement makes for a fun time with this gingerbread man number hop game.
Winter crafts for toddlers
41. Use marshmallows and pretzels to make edible marshmallow snowmen.
42. Mix reading and crafting with this mitten handprint craft. Plus, it creates a great keepsake!
43. Make a homemade bird feeder to take care of nature during the long winter months.
44. Try this bubble wrap snowman for an easy craft that’s sure to bring some winter entertainment.
45. Use food coloring and water to paint on snow.
46. Need a quiet activity? Check out this tissue paper painting craft.
47. Q-tips and twigs make for easy, all-ages winter tree art.
48. Use pipe cleaners and beads to make snowflakes. It’s a great activity for strengthening fine motor skills!
49. Outside isn’t the only thing that might be freezing. Try creating with frozen paint!
50. Make some DIY Christmas ornaments.
51. Trace your child’s outline on leftover cardboard, and turn it into a giant gingerbread person.
52. There’s nothing prettier than twinkling lights on freshly fallen snow. Bring that ambiance indoors with this snowman luminary activity.
53. This cute cardinal handprint craft is perfect for a snowy day. Little ones can even be on the lookout for the red bird in your own yard.
54. These newspaper penguins are absolutely adorable, and nothing says winter quite like a cheerful penguin.
55. Use sticky foam from the craft store to make snowmen, gingerbread people and more.
56. Painting doesn’t have to be complicated with this tape-resist snowflake art.
57. Salt painting is a great way to introduce kids to science and art.
58. Let kids practice spelling their names with mini marshmallows (and maybe sneak a couple marshmallows along the way).
59. Make winter-themed sock puppets, and then let kids put on a show for you.
60. These snowmen suncatchers can warm up your space, even on the coldest of winter days.
61. Homemade playdough and accessories can help make an extra fun snowman factory for little ones.
Indoor winter activities for toddlers
62. Build a warm and cozy blanket fort together. You could even add some holiday lights!
63. Need something sweet? Try making this maple syrup snow candy.
64. Snuggle up and watch a kid-friendly winter movie.
65. Have a fancy tea party.
66. It might be messier than other activities, but kids will love this Dr. Seuss-inspired oobleck recipe.
67. If the wintery day is long and you need an assist, make a color bath using food coloring or colored bath fizz and themed toys.
68. Let kids line up their toys or stuffed animals to make their own parade.
69. Draw on old cardboard boxes to make a road for car-loving toddlers.
70. Make these sticker lines to practice fine motor skills.
71. Tape toys down using painter’s tape, and then let kids “rescue” them. It’s simple, quiet and sure to keep young children busy.
72. A cardboard box, plus a ball and a little creativity, and toddlers will have an epic ball ramp to entertain and experiment with!
73. If you haven’t made snow ice cream, this is your sign to try it. It’s easy, delicious and it just might be a core memory.
74. Play dress-up! You’ll both get a laugh out of them trying to wear their parents’ clothes.
75. It might seem scary, but let toddlers do your makeup. There’s nothing a little makeup remover can’t fix, so wear that blue eyeshadow proudly!
76. Hit up the neighborhood library for some fun winter reads.
77. Make hot chocolate. For added fun, make these hot chocolate spoons in the comfort of your own kitchen!
78. Download some free educational toddler apps or games.
79. Let your littles help decorate some melted snowman bark.
80. Host a kid-friendly Winter Olympics from the comfort of your own home.
81. Too cold to play outside? Bring the snow indoors with this diamond dig activity.
82. Fill a tub with soapy water and make a “toy wash” for fun water play (and to help get rid of pesky winter germs).
Outdoor winter activities for toddlers
83. The cold of winter is helpful with this mini-science experiment. Bundle up the kids, grab some homemade bubbles and blow them outside to watch them freeze.
84. You might miss the warmth of the beach, but kids can still put those sand buckets to use to make snow castles.
85. Go on an outdoor scavenger hunt to look for things you might find in the winter.
86. Go sledding! Inner tubes and pool floats also make great sleds.
87. Look for tracks in the snow. Snow is the perfect place to see evidence of your neighborhood’s wildlife.
88. Build a snowman, complete with a carrot nose!
89. Have toddlers help you fill bird feeders, put orange slices out for the birds and leave nuts for the squirrels. Extra points if you leave snacks near a window in your house so they can watch their animal friends eat from the warmth of your home.
90. Make snow angels.
91. Build a snow fort or maze together.
92. Make snow cookies using cookie cutters and pans.
93. Catch snowflakes on your tongue.
94. Have little ones practice spelling their name in the snow using sticks, pinecones or rocks.
95. See who can walk the quietest on the freshly-fallen snow.
96. If it’s not too cold, have a picnic! Include some hot chocolate, of course!
97. Hide treasure (toys or other objects) in the snow, and have kids find it.
98. Make an obstacle course.
99. Use a magnifying glass to try to look at snowflakes.
100. Let your child practice stacking skills by making these Swedish snowball lanterns.
101. Make these pretty frozen suncatchers using things you find in nature.
