Snow days are an absolute dream … for kids. They get to skip school, stay in their pajamas all day long (only changing to venture outside for snowball fights and snow angel-making), drink some hot cocoa, and, of course, have all of the screen time their little heart desires. Sure, this agenda can fly maybe once or twice. But when these snow days become more frequent as winter trudges on, keeping your little ones occupied by snow day activities without relying on an iPad, TV, or piles of snow (that they now get bored of playing in after 15 minutes) takes some true creativity and will power.
Thinking of fun and fresh indoor snow day activities off the top of your head isn’t always easy, so we got you covered with items you probably already have on hand. You’ll easily become a snow day hero whether you’re joining in on the fun or need something unique to keep the kiddos entertained while on your WFH grind. So, here are 30 games, activities, crafts, and snacks that will definitely keep that snow day magic alive while you’re staying indoors.
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1. Snowman Felt Board
If you’re not able to go outside and build a snowman, don’t worry. Make this fun and interactive felt board of a snowman and stay indoors for the day. There are so many variations of what a snowman can wear. What a great way to keep your kids busy on a snow day.
2. DIY Christmas Snow Globe
Just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it indoors. Turn your holiday decorations into a pretty snow globe to display.
3. Snow Day Bingo
A classic winter-themed bingo game is a perfect option when you’re looking for a super quick activity that’s easy to follow. You can even offer little incentives like stickers or candy for each bingo scored to keep interest going all day long.
4. Snow Sensory Bin
Put all that snow to use by creating an indoor snow sensory bin. Use a big plastic container and throw in some of their favorite toys. Even better, plop it in the tub to contain any melting mess.
5. Winter Practical Skill Tray: Snowflake Build
Have a toddler at home and cooped up inside for the day? Set up this skill tray for your little one to uncover animal tracks. They get to learn how to sweep the “snow” away and about animals, too. Switch out the types of animal prints to give you a little variety. Oh, how fun!
6. Chocolate Covered Peppermint Pretzels
There’s nothing that’ll get a kid going quite like a sweet and salty treat, so they’ll definitely be willing to spend some time making these ultra-tasty chocolate covered pretzels. Plus, this is a great way to use up any leftover candy canes you still have in your pantry from the holidays!
7. Pine Cone Penguin Ornament
Have the kids collect some pine cones while they’re out in the snow to make these beyond adorable ornaments once they’ve settled back inside for the day. They can be used on next year’s Christmas tree or, in the meantime, hang in your kitchen, in their bedroom or anywhere that could use a little winter accessory.
8. Yarn and Twig Photo Holders
These super creative photo holders are a funky edition to your typical, everyday wall decor and work to have on display all year round.
9. Double Dark Chocolate Muddy Buddies
Get ready to get your hands dirty in the kitchen (definitely worth it for how good this treat tastes) with this mouth-watering snack that makes for a perfect movie-watching snack
10. Balloon Snowman Garland
From blowing up balloons, drawing snowman faces, scarf making, and garland tying, little ones will have fun all afternoon with this DIY decor craft.
11. DIY Holiday Stovetop Potpurri
After playing outside all day, settle down and make stovetop potpourri filled with cinnamon, spices, nutmeg, oranges, and more. Once you’re done, head outdoors to share with your neighbors. It’s a fun activity and a gift everyone will like.
12. Classic No Bake Cookies
A dessert that doesn’t involve any ovens or stove tops? Sign us up. This is a perfect recipe for kids to make if you’re unable to have all eyes on them throughout the whole process.
13. Grocery Bag Reindeer Coloring Project
Reuse a brown paper grocery bag by turning it into a giant reindeer for a fun, oversized, kid’s coloring project.
14. Yarn Star Ornaments
A DIY project like this one will give you tons of fun and unique new ornaments to hang on the tree next Christmas!
15. Newspaper Polar Bear
All you need for this classic craft are newspaper scraps and a handful of other easy crafting supplies to make this super cute polar bear or any other adorable creature!
16. Chewy Caramel Popcorn
Caramel popcorn is easy to make, delicious, and is without a doubt a little cooking activity the kids will be so excited about—I mean, who doesn’t love popcorn? (Editor’s Note: Just be sure your kiddo is old enough to safely eat popcorn before doing this activity—experts generally say after 4 years old!)
17. Gingerbread Boy Granola
Whether your kids exert all their energy outside or with fun snow day activities in the house, make gingerbread boy granola to get them going again. Who doesn’t want to go back out for another snow sled ride?
18. Hot Cocoa Cookie Cups
These adorable no-bake cookie cups are perfect for a snow day sweet treat—plus, they’re super easy and fun to build and decorate!
19. Fun Activities Bingo Card
This is a super clever way to keep your little ones busy all day long. You can offer screen time or a treat once they’ve scored a bingo, or even when they black out the whole card!
20. Paper Snowman Snowflakes
This super cool craft will keep kids busy for hours on end with folding and cutting, and you’ll end up with some awesome winter decorations to hang on the mantle or fridge.
21. Chocolate Chip Cheerio Cereal Bars
What kid isn’t absolutely obsessed with cereal? Kill two birds with one stone by making this yummy recipe, and in turn meal prepping a go-to snack for the week.
22. Egg Carton Snowman
For this super cute DIY, all you need to do is add scrap ribbon, buttons, and a few other accessories to a spare egg carton to easily create adorable snowmen that you’ll want to keep as holiday decor forever.
23. Pom Pom Snowman Desk Buddy
For the WFH moms out there, getting kiddos away from the desk so you can focus is a difficult task. If you need to lock in, task your kids with creating some winter-themed desk decor for your workspace. This pom pom snowman is simple, mess-free, and will allow you some much needed time to focus.
24. Cereal Box Winter Diorama
Another craft to keep the kiddos busy, this cereal box diorama allows your kids to explore the magic of playing outside while staying warm. If the weather is especially frigid, this can be a great alternative. The supplies are easy to find and—if you get creative enough—it can take up a lot of the afternoon.
25. Build a Snowman Sticky Window
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this window craft draws inspiration from our favorite winter activities and brings them inside. They can get super creative by swapping out the snowman’s accessories over and over.
26. Bake Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Cold days are especially perfect for getting our hands dirty in the kitchen. This cookie recipe combines all the candies and flavors that kids love. They’re easy to pop in the oven and make for the ideal sweet treat for days to come.
27. Blizzard Cookies
Another simple sweet treat for the cold days, these cookies use sprinkles and white chocolate chips to look like a blizzard. Is there anything more perfect to commemorate a snow day?
28. DIY Holiday-Scented Play Dough
Combining gingerbread, peppermint, sugar cookie, and wintergreen, this is an easy sensory activity that will keep your kiddos’ hands busy all afternoon long. There are even printable mats in the shape of snowmen and gingerbread men—downloadable at the link!
29. Miniature Paper Winter Forest (with printables!)
These free winter printables include snow creatures of every kind—foxes, dogs, bears—and can be used either as an imaginative play tool by your kids, or as charming winter tabletop decor for your space. Your kids can even print them off and color them to add their own personal touch.
30. Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
With only four ingredients, this recipe couldn’t be easier and is perfect for those cold days where the heat just isn’t doing enough. You and your kiddos can also customize it to include any special flavors.
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
Ever since she began her editorial work and interned for The Everymom during college, McKenna’s dedication to this field and drive to gain as much knowledge as possible has only continued to grow day by day. She draws from her experiences as a nanny and passion for topical conversations to write thoughtful pieces on news, entertainment, culture, and lifestyle.
Rebecca Smith, Editorial Intern
As editorial intern, Rebecca works with The Everymom team on updating existing content, photo sourcing, pitching original articles, and more. She’s passionate about creating authentic and diverse online content, and is thrilled to help women of all ages feel represented by contributing to The Everymom.
