Now that winter is here, cajoling kids to go play outside can be a whole new ball game — especially if they've already built a snowman or gone sledding umpteen times. If you're looking for some new twists on activities kids can do in the snow, look no further than this list of 10 creative ideas. From colored ice balloons to snow volcanoes to sledding on a towel (yes it's possible), they'll keep your kids occupied outdoors for many winters to come.
Did you have any clue you could do #1 with bubbles?
*Images via Bolling With 5
If it's below freezing outdoors, you can blow ice bubbles! It's super easy and so cool, right? (Pun intended.) According to Housing a Forest, beach towels make surprisingly good beach towel sleds! Who knew?! Kids will ooh and ahh over these colored ice ballons at Queen Vanna Creations. And these gorgeous orbs easy to make — all you need are balloons, food coloring, and ribbon or ties. If you've got some maple syrup in the house, pour it into a deep snowdrift outside and voila … maple snow candy. It will freeze in cool dribbly shapes. More from The Stir: Winter Activities By Age: Snow Angels to Hockey Pucks Take this classic science experiment — the baking soda volcano — into the great outdoors and you've got a snow volcano. Your kids will love watching the colorful red goo erupt out of what they've built. Snow sculptures are fun, but Eve of Reduction's colored snow sculptures will really wow your kids. All you need is a spray bottle filled with water and food coloring (or in a pinch, Kool-Aid mix). Ice lanterns that hold a small votive candle are gorgeous and easy for even kids to make with OhMy! Creative's instructions. All you need are some old plastic soda bottles. If building a snowman feels so been there, done that, Kristin from Bolling With 5 suggests turning this idea on its head (so to speak). All you need are the usual snowman accoutrements, plus a pair of boots or shoes for the feet. Kids will be erecting snowmen all winter if they've got Twin Dragonfly Designs' snowman building kit — this one is made out of polymer clay and wooden dowels. More from The Stir: Easy Snow-Day Craft for Kids: Coffee Filter Snowflakes We'd be remiss if we didn't point out that snow (freshly fallen, of course) can be a key ingredient in some tasty treats. Try snow cone slushies or, if you're feeling more ambitious, snow ice cream made with condensed milk. More from The Stir: 14 Coolest, Warmest Snow Boots You've Ever Seen (PHOTOS)
Blow Ice Bubbles
Go Sledding on a Beach Towel
Ice Balloons
Make Snow Candy
Snow Volcano
Snow Paint
Ice Lantern
An Upside-Down Snowman
Snowman Building Kit
Snow Cones or Snow Ice Cream
