FOOTPRINT TAG
Play tag as you normally would...but stepping only in others' footprints.

_________________

 

SNOW BASEBALL

• Set up a baseball diamond with a mound of snow representing home plate and first, second and third bases.
• Place an empty water bottle on the top of each mound.
• The pitche stands in the middle of the diamond and hurls snowballs first at home plate, then around the bases.
• Whoever knocks down the bottles with the fewest pitches wins.

______________

SNOW GOLF
Take some time to smooth out a fairway and a green. Take an open can and plant it in the snow--this is the hole.
For golf balls, use hockey pucks. For clubs, use hockey sticks or real golf clubs.

_______________________

POWDER-PUFF FOOTBALL (Play out in the snow!)

• All you need are two teams of three or more people to play, along with a spray bottle filled with a mix of water and food coloring to mark the playing field (a large rectangle with a centerline should suffice).
• The teams line up at opposite ends of the field (the North and South poles) for a kickoff.
• Once someone on the receiving team catches the ball, he tries to move it back across the defense's goal line by running with it or passing it to a teammate.
• Play stops if the person with the ball is tagged by an opponent or slides out of bounds.
• The teams then face off again on the spot. After four tries, or a touchdown, the ball goes to the other team.
• The game ends when either team gets cold.
  Source:familyfun.go.com

______________________

FIND THER SNOW FLAG!
Tie a white cloth to the end of a short stick. Give each child a chance to hide it by staking it anywhere within an area with boundaries. Note how long it takes for the rest of the group to find it. Whoever hid the flag with the group that took the longest time to find it wins the game!

___________________

JUMP SNOW HURDLES
Lightly pack a lot of basketball-size snowballs and then use them to build a course of hurdles to jump over in a round of 'Follow the Leader'.

________________

ROPE SNOW TUG

• Team up for a slip-sliding variation of tug-of-war.
• Tamp down a wide, shallow trench in the snow to serve as the mid line. Then, take up positions at the ends of a long, thick rope and let the tugging and towing begin.
• Whichever team pulls the entire opposing group over to its side of the trench wins.
  WE have a winter Olympics and this is one of the things we do! Frodo/Colorado

_____________________________

***In the winter students (and adults) like to throw snowballs. PLACE A SNOWBALL TARGET in a conspicuous place where it's fine to throw snowballs. Make sure rules are established so no one gets hurt. It's a great source of exercise for all kids, even those that are not athletically inclined.
No snow? Roll up those 'saved" pieces of white paper and pretend they're snowballs!

__________________________

SNOWBALL STRIKE OUT GAME
Good for older Kids!
First mound up snow to create three bases and a pitcher's mound--the three mound piles should each be about 2 feet high and 20 feet apart. Next, build a tin can pyramid on each base. The challenge is to knock down the stacks in order--from first to third base by throwing snowballs from the pitcher's mound. The child who succeeds with the fewest pitches wins.

_____________________

 

SNOWMAN HAT TRICK

 Build a plump, snowman in the yard/play-field. Make a game of taking turns trying to land a hat on his head by throwing it Frisbee style from 10 or so feet away.

  ___________________

 

GET ON A ROLL
Pair up for a contest in which the object is to finish with the biggest snowball. The contest ends when the teams can no longer roll their entries or when you run out of snow.

______________________

SNOW-BOOT TWO STEP
You'll Need: Snow boots, Winter clothes

• This tough-to-master version of follow the leader requires 2 or more players. The leader makes a path in freshly fallen snow.
• His or her teammates must try to step in exactly the same spots.
• The object of the game is to make it seem as if only one person has taken a walk through the snow.
• Can you pull it off? It takes balance and agility! Be sure to bundle up to stay warm and dry.
  Source: creativekidsathome.com

___________

WINTER TAG (NATIVE INDIAN)

5 or more players, ages 5 and up, played outdoors in the winter.

Players prepare the course for the game, consisting of a maze of parts in the snow over a field or ice. The parts should be wide enough for one person to run on, about one meter wide.

What follows is a simple game of tag played in lanes in the snow. Players must stay on the paths always, but the person who is 'it' may jump from path to path in pursuit of his opponents.

This imaginative modification of tag in the winter could lead players to inventing their own unique games for the winter season.  Source: Thunder Bay Multicultural Association

_____________

...Also Check out  OUTSIDE WINTER TIME FUN!  Lot's of Ideas!

_____________

 

SNOW MOLDS
Just like sand, snow is wet and dense--and can be formed into shapes. When you go outside...take out the sandbox toys, buckets, containers and molds. Create a snow castle (instead of sand castle) -- Create and have fun!

_____________

BUILD A LARGE SNOW WORM (or Caterpillar) Great for kids-no lifting heavy snow!

Materials: Food coloring, snow, sticks, fruit or vegetables (oranges, carrot)

• Make several large snow balls. (One bigger than the rest for the head.)
• Use the fruit or vegetables to make eyes and a nose. Like you would with a regular snowman.
• Mix the food coloring in with some water and fill up a spray bottle to spray your worm with whatever color you want. (or not) A fun winter "Earth Activity"!

___________________

JELL-O IN THE SNOW
Make Jell-O according to directions on package. Pour into clean baby food jars-one for each child. Place containers in large tub and fill the tub with snow. When Jell-O is seT--enjoy!

_________________________

CREATE A BIRDSEED SNOW ANGEL
This angel is easiest made together. One partner lies down to make a snow angel while the other partner stands by to help the maker get up without messing up the imprint. After the imprint is formed, pour cups of birdseed into the angel, filling the head and body with bands of variously colored seed. For a finishing touch, add pine boughs for the angel's spreading wings.

Extension Science Idea:
Watch this spot daily and record your observations in a journal. The journal can be made with paper and a construction paper cover. At the same time every day, write down what the weather is like, including temperature, how the sky looks, if it is snowy or sunny and what animals you see, and how they look to you. Are they feeding? This can be a fun spectator activity!

______________________

SNOWMAN BUILDING RACE  (A game-but primarily building a snowman!)
Here's how you play.
1. Pick 2 teams. The 2 teams make a snowman bottom.
2. Someone yells GO!
3. The 2 teams start to finish the rest of the snowman---The body, hat, nose, etc.
__________

ICE MAN
Fill three balloons with water (one big, one medium, and one small). Let freeze overnight. Peel the balloon off and stack the balls (use salt between to help them melt and stick together. Have kids clothe him,put a carrot nose,stick arms, etc. 

____________________
 
SNOW TREASURE  HUNT
Hide a chest full of 'fun' in the snow, then watch kids track it down clue by clue. 
Need:
Cooler
Treats
Magazines (optional)
Paper
Markers
Plastic bags

• Pack a cooler full of treats and then hide the "treasure chest."
• Create a series of clues leading to the chest. Use either pictures from magazines or create your own with markers and paper.
• Place each clue in a plastic bag and hide it in the snow.
• Begin the hunt by handing the players their first clue.

VARIATIONS:
For more sophisticated players, give them their clues in riddles or use rebuses.
TIPS:
Look around the yard for good clue hiding places and plot them on paper. Then create the picture clues for each spot and hide them in order (keep the master list just in case a clue gets lost). Source: familyfun.go.com

 __________________

FREEZE BUBBLES!

Tips:
This is a good science lesson...

• When the temperature dips below the freezing point, many changes occur in our environment: water turns to ice, and rain turns to snow. The bubble activity demonstrates this.
• It's a good idea to first chill the containers of bubble solution in the refrigerator;outside it has to be below freezing temp.
• Have children observe the bubbles closely as they blow. They will notice ice crystals forming on the surface of the bubbles.
• What happens when the bubbles pop? They shatter.
• If the outside weather is below 32 degrees, you can make bubbles outdoors. Blow a bubble and catch it on the wand. Wait and watch as it freezes. It will turn into a crystal ball and then shatter like glass; you'll see ice crystals form.

___________________

 Create a SNOWY SELF PORTRAIT that doubles as a tasty treat for animals who might stop by to admire and sample your work.
Materials:
Birdseed (such as sunflower seeds and cracked corn)
Fruits and vegetables (like apples, kale and carrots)
Food coloring
Pump bottles

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Start by prepping your art materials; fill the pump bottles with different hues of food-color-tinted water and cut up various fruits and vegetables. Then take the materials outside.
2. Next, start your masterpiece by lying back in the snow to make a body print. Gently rock your body to pack the print, then carefully get up (you may need a friend's help).
3. Create a portrait by filling in the shape with the seeds and vegetable pieces and adding details with the colored water.

Tips:
Younger kids may find it easier to work with fewer materials and to use cups or small pitchers (instead of their hands) to pour lines of seed. Remember to have the artists sign their initials somewhere, too! Source: familyfun.go.com

__________________

ICE BLOCK DESIGNS
This is science, art, and outside winter play! Younger children can observe how salt melts ice while creating colorful designs in large blocks of ice.
Need: Large blocks of ice, Coarse salt, Food coloring,Eye droppers

• Freeze water in empty one gallon milk containers. Remove the cardboard when water is frozen.
• Place ice blocks on trays covered with several layers of newspaper.
• Sprinkle coarse salt on top of the ice blocks.
• Drip various colors of food coloring on top of the ice block--tunnels of color are created as the salt melts through the ice block.
• Put the colorful ice blocks outside. If cold enough- they should stay frozen for several days.
• Children can continue to examine the melting process during outdoor play. If possible-(and if they are interested) give kids their own block of ice.
• If you have a large group do this activity over a few days. Children will enjoy watching the changes that occur as the blocks melt away!
  Adapted from Marjorie E.in KinderArt.com

______________

SNOW ART
Give children squirt bottles filled with colored water and let them color the snow. Consider also using dish detergent bottles, filled with water and food coloring; they may work easier with mittens on.

Advice: Get a supply of old-used mittens as to not soil childrens' gloves.

________________

WINTER SUN CATCHER (Preschool and up)
Time: An hour (plus overnight to dry) 
 
Materials: 
Ribbon or yarn (at least 12 inches long)
Water
Aluminum pie plate, or other metal dish
Food coloring or crayon shavings
Flower petals, berries, leaves, or other materials

Directions:

• Make a loop with the ribbon and place it in the pie plate. Leave at least 5 inches of the looped end hanging over the edge
• Fill the plate with water.
• If you'd like your sun catcher to be colored, add a few drops of food coloring to the water and mix it around.
• Add the crayon shavings, berries, or other materials for your sun catcher to the water.
• Let the materials fall into place, or arrange them in a design. (Keep in mind that the materials may move around on their own.)
• Put the plate in the freezer, or if it's cold enough, leave it outside to freeze.
• Let the plate sit for at least one day. If it's outside, you may need to let it sit longer.
• When the water is completely frozen, carefully remove the ice from the tin.

Now your project is ready to catch some rays! Hang your sun catcher outside from a tree or windowsill for friends and neighbors to admire. You can also try using cupcake tins and shorter ribbon (6 inches)to make several small sun catchers.
Source: fun.familyeducation.com

_______________________

VIEWING SNOWFLAKES
What you'll need:
Viewing platform: black velvet, dark cloth, or black construction paper
Magnifying glass

• Snowflakes are delicate creatures and their fine crystalline shape can vanish at the touch of warmth.
• You'll need to freeze your viewing surface (keep it in the fridge or outside in a cold dry area).
• If the snow is falling, just hold your platform aloft to catch a few flakes and view with your magnifying glass.
• You may need to wear a scarf over the mouth and nose to avoid melting the flakes with a warm breath.
  Source: fun.familyeducation.com

_____________________

CATCHING SNOWFLAKES
Place a black sheet of paper into a freezer until cold. Take outdoors and use a magnifying glass to view snowflakes that land on the paper. 

______________

TRY MAKING YOUR OWN ICICLE!

Puncture a VERY SMALL hole into a hanging container, fill it with water and then leave it slowly dripping over-night. The next day you should have your own icicle.

 

 

 __________________________

SNOW SHOES See if you can pick some up for a good deal-or rent them for a day. The kids will have a ball walking on the snow without them--and then walking with them. Fun to watch and fun to do!

___________________

OLD MARKERS DRYING OUT?
Take them outside and color the snow!

_______________

THINK ABOUT AN OUTSIDE WINTER PICNIC!
Consider this for one of those all day or half day programs.

• You need a clear winter day.
• Children provide packed lunches-- a hot one if they have an insulated bag. Program can provide warm drinks in thermoses.
• Pre-choose your picnic site.
• When you arrive, first play a warming game like leapfrog ... have your warm lunches ...followed by playing more active games!
• This would be a great time to play relay and planned games!
  Weather not cooperating on the planned day? Do the same but inside!!!

_________________

DON'T FORGET ABOUT~

 • Looking for animal footprints...
 • Making snow angels...
 • Older kids puling the younger on sleds...
 • Taking thermoses of hot chocolate outside...
 • Winter time nature scavenger hunt...
 • Build houses, igloos and forts...
• Don't just make snowmen-Make snow-women, animals, animals and super heroes!

___________________

Check out-- Winter Outside Snow Games

________________________