Snow games for parents and children 2026

Author: Lidia García-Fresneda.

Playing in the snow is a very fun activity for the whole family and one that children really enjoy, but yes, you always have to make sure you are well equipped, use appropriate clothing and footwear, protect your neck and throat and be careful with certain games, such as sledding, since falls or bumps can play a very bad role.

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By making a snowman, children develop their imagination and enhance cooperation. Let's not forget to look for accessories that act as a nose, eyes, mouth... Another option is to bring watercolors and paint it. Result: the most impressive snowman in the area.

snowball fight

The classic among classics and one of the most fun games. They are still too small to make balls so big or "tight" as to hurt someone. So let's leave them full freedom. A good idea is to create two teams and delimit a field of action in which there are obstacles and places to hide to give more excitement to the game.

pass the ball

The players must form a circle and orderly pass a snowball as compact as possible from one to another to the beat of a simple song that we will all sing in unison to set the rhythm. Every time a player breaks the snowball in his hands, he is eliminated. The winner will be the last one left in the circle. It is very important to wear good gloves.

Kangaroo jumping

It is quite tiring, so it is better to do it before the ball fight, than the sleigh descent... A more or less short route is defined, preferably on regular terrain. The players, meanwhile, must stand at the start with a ball between their legs, slightly higher than knee level. The race will be done by jumping, without dropping the ball (if this happens we will have to place it between our legs again to continue).

The kangaroo that reaches the goal first wins.

Thumbelina

How to make a simple family outing more fun? Whether they already knew the story or not, they will love to imitate its protagonist, leaving a trail to follow so as not to "get lost on the way back." But don't let them be breadcrumbs, the birds won't eat them, like what happened to Thumbelina. Some dark stones or a series of sticks, which we will obtain by breaking a tree branch, are useful. During the return let's avoid "telling" them which is the correct path.

Feed the birds

Birds that do not migrate during the winter tend to stay around cities and in our gardens. When it is very cold and snowy it is easier for them to find food in these areas. Preparing bird feeders (filling simple plastic cups with birdseed impregnated with fat, for example) and observing them when they come to eat is not only fun, but also educational and ecological.

Sleigh descent

Or in a plastic bag in the absence of it. The only precaution: let's avoid too steep descents and control the terrain under the snow to avoid tripping over a stone.

The detectives

It's about becoming "trackers" and discovering who has covered the terrain before us. Children will have a great time discovering footprints of big feet (of older people), smaller ones (other children like them), car wheels, a dog... If we are in the mountains, maybe we will be lucky and be able to distinguish the trail of a hare, a wild boar, a large bird... Early in the morning (let's not go too early if it's very cold) there are fewer footprints, but they are clearer.

The illuminated igloo

You have to make a large snowball (about 50 cm high), then make a hole and empty it. We leave a large hole in front and another opening at the top. We put a lit candle (the kind that comes protected by red plastic, so it doesn't get wet) and we wait for the afternoon to fall a little. The light effect is beautiful.

cat and mouse

Three players are chosen to be the mouse, the cat and the "snow thrower." The rest must make a circle with their hands clasped, and the mouse is placed inside. Outside is the cat who, of course, will want to eat the mouse. And a few meters away, the snow thrower must walk around the circle while indiscriminately throwing snowballs at the group (gently, it's just a matter of confusing the players). Those in the circle will have to prevent the cat from grabbing the mouse, and protect it by raising and lowering their arms. The cat, for its part, will not be able to break the circle. If he manages to grab the mouse, he is exchanged for other players.

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