Thrilling indoor and outdoor Winter Olympic game ideas for kids

February 2026 will be filled with competition, excitement and suspense for anyone following the Winter Olympics. This year’s games are packed with more than 3,500 talented athletes from 93 different countries.

Of course you’ll want to catch as many events as you can on TV over the two weeks between February 6 and February 22, 2026, but the Winter Olympics are also a great way to get kids active and involved.

One fun way to celebrate the Winter Olympics mini Olympic games at home. You can do this indoors or outdoors, depending on where you live. Here are six fun and kid-friendly Olympics-inspired games that combine education and sports to help bring the Winter Olympics to life.

DIY bobsled race

If you have snow:

• Grab two sleds and go to your favorite sledding spot.
• Take a few practice runs down the hill to make two parallel paths. (Hint: pack some snow up in the middle of the paths to create a little jump.)
• Lay a ribbon on the ground at the top to create a start line and position the sleds behind it.
• Have the “referee” stand at the bottom, with arms raised. When it’s time to go, the referee will drop their hands and yell “go”!
• The racers can run and jump onto the sleds or push off the top of the hill to gain momentum. The first to the bottom wins. Switch tracks for each race to make sure it’s fair.

If you’re racing indoors:

For safety, recreate a bobsled race with kids’ favorite toys or stuffed animals. Make a ramp using stairs, a lid to a big storage box, cardboard or any other materials you have on hand. Put each toy in a shoebox or container and “race” them down the ramps. Kids can even decorate their “sleds” beforehand with stickers, markers and other craft supplies to customize them for the big race!

Indoor floor hockey

Hockey is an exciting team sport at the Winter Olympics, and it can be just as exciting with siblings or neighborhood kids in your playroom, living room or garage. Find two “goals” (aka cardboard boxes or storage bins), a “puck” (a tennis ball, stress ball or even crumpled paper) and “hockey sticks” (pool noodles or paper towel rolls work well), and then follow these steps:

• Tell players they can’t use hands to move the puck.
• With one team on each side of the “rink,” drop the puck in the center.
• Players compete to score goals with the ball or paper.
• The first team to get five goals wins.

If you have more than two kids involved, designate a goalie — and arm that person with a pillow. No other kids around? Put on the game and let your kid mimic what their favorite athlete is doing. You can play, too!

At-home biathlon

Traditionally, the biathlon is a race that combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting. To modify this event for kids, have them run a lap or two around the outside of the house and then throw snowballs (or a small regular ball) into a bucket.

• Set the balls and buckets up ahead of time.
• Kids will need to run the designated track, and then attempt to toss a ball into a bucket.
• You can decide how many buckets to use, which distance to set them up and how many tries kids get.
• Make a clear starting line and let the race begin!

Sock figure skating

Have everyone put on their thickest pair of fuzzy socks and practice some twirls like the figure skaters in the Winter Olympic Games. Go to the slipperiest floor in the house and put on some music while the kids show off their moves one by one. You can try making up a group routine with coordinated spins and partner moves. Be sure to move any potential obstacles out of the way first to prevent any accidents or falls.

Winter Olympics trivia

Use the Olympics as a way to educate (and quiz!) kids on some global facts. You can ask them about the host city, Olympics history, various winter sports and more. Try separating questions into categories. For example:

• City facts: What city is hosting the Olympics? What country is it in? Answer: The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milan, Italy.
• Olympic history: Where were the very first Olympic Games? Answer: Greece.
• Sports: What is the difference between bobsled and ice luge? Answer: Athletes, in teams of two or four, drive a special bobsleigh down an ice track. In luge, athletes ride a flat sled — on their backs, face up and feet first — and race the course individually or in groups of two.
• Olympians: Can you name one Olympic athlete and the sport they play? Answer: Rosters can be found here.

Tally points for each correct answer and see who gets the gold medal!

Frisbee (or paper plate) curling

This activity is a combination of shuffleboard and curling. You’ll need a smooth floor or an outdoor area that’s covered with packed snow, so your Frisbees can glide smoothly. Here’s how to play:

• Make a starting line on one side of the “field” and a big square at the other end.
• Give each player as many Frisbees as you have handy (paper plates could also work indoors).
• Alternate turns trying to slide the Frisbees (upside down) across the floor or snow.

The goal is to get all your Frisbees into the box at the end of the “field” without crossing the starting line.

More tips for hosting Winter Olympics Games for kids

• Painter’s tape makes great starting lines for a number of different activities.
• Items in most activities can easily be substituted. Get creative with cardboard, paper, paper towel rolls kitchen utensils or whatever you have on hand, rather than buying new supplies.
• Consider making DIY medals or designating special prizes to make games more competitive.
• Hold a special opening and closing ceremony before your games to add to the fun.