There are lots of ways to have fun outside on a snow day. Pull on some mittens and explore this list of activities to inspire some winter fun with snowballs.
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When a light fluffy snowfall becomes sticky snow, that’s the time to pull these ideas for snowball games out of your toolkit. The only supplies needed are lots of snowballs!
That’s the stick-to-your-mittens kind of snow, that can lead to snow forts, tunnels and other constructions, depending on the amount of snowfall.
Fortunately there’s an outdoor activity for the other kinds of snow!
- Light fluffy snow is perfect for making snow angels.
- Icy snow is a ready-made canvas for snow-painting, and it’s also fun to crunch and crack underfoot.
We had fun with some new activities on a recent snow day and hope you like them too. We discovered there’s so much more you can do with snowballs than just toss them at each other!
Outdoor play with snowballs
1. Mini snowman
Build a snowman with three sizes of snowballs.
- Add twigs for arms, and small stones for eyes and buttons. Can you make a snowball hat for your snowman?
2. Snowball snake
Arrange several snowballs in a long wavy line like a wiggly snake (or a train!).
3. Snowball castle
Arrange snowballs in a pile to make a castle.
- Stack some snowballs for a tower.
- Make use of sticks and other items along with snowballs to make a bridge across the moat.
4. Snowball faces
Draw a circle in the snow with a branch or your hand to outline a face.
- Place snowballs on the face for eyes, nose and mouth, ears and a beard.
5. Hot potato tree target game
Form a circle and pass a snowball around just as you would in the traditional game. If there are only two participants you can simply pass a snowball back and forth.
The person holding the snowball at the end of the count or play list, throws it at a tree trunk or other target.
With several kids, you can play with more than one snowball at a time to make sure lots of snowballs are being thrown!
6. Snowball toss
Make a start line in the snow for kids to stand behind.
Make two or three lines in the snow at varying distances from the start line.
Throw snowballs toward the target lines and see where they land.
Alternately, aim for a basket or other prop.
7. Snowball snowman on a tree trunk
Make a large snowball and press it firmly onto the trunk of a tree.
Make two more snow balls in medium and small sizes.
Press them onto the tree trunk to complete the snowman.
8. Snowball math
Make snowballs of different sizes.
- Line up the snowballs from smallest to biggest.
- Sort snowballs into groups according to size.
- Stack snowballs one on top of the other. How many can you stack before they topple?
9. Snowball roll
Pile snow in a mound. Tamp a smooth pathway down the side of the mound with your hands to make a ramp.
Roll snowballs down this inclined plane.
Bonus snowball game
10. Snowball soccer
Substitute a white ball for a snowball to kick around in the snow. No rules or teams needed.
Snow activities from other kid-friendly bloggers!
Potato Heads in the Snow by Happy Hooligans
Snow Play! Outdoor Winter Fun by Mama Smile
10 fun things to do in the snow by Hands on as We Grow
Painting on snow by Mama Papa Bubba blog.