Fun Things To Do In The Snow

Winter is in full force here in Michigan, which means if we want to get outside, we are going to have to deal with snow. I had to get creative with this cold snowy weather. Here are fun things to do in the snow this winter.  I’ll be totally honest-playing in the snow did not sound fun at first, so it’s taken me a minute to get my head around the fact that snow is not evil. 

Fun Things To Do In The Snow

And you know what? I think that I am actually excited for some activities that actually happen in the snow. Fun in the snow is what we aim for each time we step out on the chilly winter days.  We had a blast sledding last year (there’s this great hill just up the way from our house that has the sledding version of a black diamond). 

I got to see Ish and my little brother wipe out spectacularly, and both boys did not want to stop.

And with snow into April up here, we had better make the best of it. Yes, I said April. No, I wasn’t kidding.

And we do have the absolute BEST summers. They’re warm, not too muggy, and there are the lakes (which are everywhere). 

But it’s winter right now, so let’s talk about all the fun ways we can enjoy the snow, shall we?

Creative and Fun Things To Do In The Snow

Winter is officially here (I mean, I know that it’s not technically the first day of winter yet, but that’s just semantics when you have a foot of snow on the ground, right?), which means there are be plenty of opportunities for you and your family to enjoy the snow.

Instead of doing what I tend to do and avoiding the freezing chilly air, use these ideas to get your family outdoors. 

Build a Snowman

This one is kind of a gimme. Snowmen, snowwomen, snow people…they’re all good and lots of fun. 

Aren’t fond of snow people?

Make a  snow snake, snow dog, snow boat, snowcat, snow hippopotamus (Smalls is working on his right now)…whatever you and your kids can imagine.

Roll up the powdery snow into balls and stack or arrange them into anything you can dream of.

If you are in need of decoration, go on a treasure hunt for rocks, branches, leaves, pinecones, and acorns so that you can properly decorate your winter masterpiece.

Go Sledding

This has to be my favorite past time in the winter. And yes, we really can’t be out sledding for hours on end without a hot chocolate break (pair with a mug cake for an easy sweet treat), but that’s part of the fun. 

If you have hills near your home, sledding is the perfect way to spend a snowy day with your family. Your city or town may even have a dedicated snow hill (we do!) where everyone meets up to take advantage of the stairs to get up and down the hills. 

If you need sleds, there are lots of ways to go about getting some. 

You can purchase sleds for the occasion or even make your own. A deconstructed cardboard box or large cookie sheet works well for sliding down smaller hills (this is what we use at home).

The last time we went sledding I climbed 17 sets of stairs, so plan to get some exercise during your outing!

Footprint Scavenger Hunt

After a fresh snowfall, there are so many opportunities to just enjoy nature. I think the outdoors feel quieter somehow after a snowfall. 

Earlier this week the boys were outside playing and found some footprints that were definitely of the small animal variety (I suspect a fox or raccoon). 

Because of this discovery, we decided to take a walk and see what else we could find. 

During our walk, we brought a piece of paper so that we could record the footprints and markings we found, which included mice or voles, deer, a fox or small cat of some kind, and what I suspect was a squirrel or chipmunk.

In addition to identifying human footprints, your kids will love searching out other animal prints in the snow. Find different types of footprints and then try to who made each print.

Build a Snow Fort

This one is a great time, but it does take a lot of time. 

If you have a lot of snow in your yard, building a snow fort or igloo is a fun way to enjoy the winter weather.

Use a brick snow mold, or even a large Rubbermaid tub, and firmly pack the walls to ensure your fort is safe to sit in when you’re finished.

Snowball Fights

I tried to fight this one, Y’all. And I lost. We have 6 boys in the neighborhood who are all about the same age, and they could not wait to pelt each other with snowballs. 

And besides, snowball fights are a classic way to spend a snowy day.

This fun snow activity has stood the test of time because it’s a universal form of snowy entertainment. No matter your age, there’s nothing more fun that forming a ball of snow and tossing it at one of your loved ones.

Just avoid the icy parts of the snow, because ice balls hurt like the dickens (personal experience). 

It may also be helpful to lay ground rules, such as no smashing snow into people’s coats, faces, sleeves, or boots. 

Paint the Snow

Coloring snow is a ton of fun, and it’s super easy to do. 

To paint the snow with your family, simply fill up some spray bottles with different colored food coloring mixed with water and squirt the colored water into the snow.

And that’s it! I am out of ideas, but you have a lot to choose from, my friend! 

You can build snow creatures, make a fort or igloo, paint the snow, have a snowball fight go sledding, or go on a footprint scavenger hunt. 

Also check out my DIY homemade lip care recipes, to keep those lips from getting chapped this winter! 

What’s your favorite snow day activity?