8 Winter Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers: Fun Ideas for Cold-Weather Play

Once the colder weather settles in, it’s tempting to keep kids inside where it’s warm and cozy. However, outside play continues to be critical to childhood development and overall health all year round. Read on to discover more about the benefits for kids of bundling up and heading outside, explore some simple and fun winter outdoor activities, and learn to keep everyone safe when the temperature drops.

Why Winter Outdoor Play Matters for Preschoolers

As we do all we can to support a healthy start for our kids and help them achieve important developmental milestones, the value of outdoor play cannot be overlooked. Here’s why.

Did you know? C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s most recent National Poll on Children’s Health found that an astounding 9% of kids play outside just once a week or less. This is concerning, as active play outside has proven to provide multiple benefits to children, from improved physical and mental health to an appreciation for nature and even good eyesight. What’s more, when outdoors, children can engage in “risky” play—such as riding a bike, climbing on the playground, or simply running down a hill. Safe yet exploratory activities like these can increase confidence and self-esteem and promote problem-solving and risk evaluation skills. 

Regular outdoor time also helps ensure kids get ample vitamin D from the sun, even in the colder months. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health by regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and their storage in young bones. Incorporating time in the sun into a child’s routine also promotes a healthy immune system and positive mental health, both key to ideal early childhood development.  

8 Winter Outdoor Activities for Preschoolers to Try

Ready to get outside and play? Here are some easy ways to get the fun started, no matter the weather!

1. Snow Painting

Outdoor art activities are a great way to strengthen fine motor and color recognition skills while enjoying nature! Gather paints and paint brushes you likely already have around—tempera is recommended since it’s washable, but any type of paint will work. Encourage kids to create their own designs and pictures, “color” a frozen snowball, and even decorate their own footprints. 

Don’t forget to admire their creative expression!

2. Snowball Target Practice

Nothing is as classic as a traditional snowball fight—or, in this case, target practice designed to help develop gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Make it extra fun with some friendly competition, and it will be sure to be one of your child’s favorite outdoor play activities.

3. Snow Sculpture Building

Do you want to build a snowman? Channel Anna and Elsa with some creative snow construction play! Whether a family of snow people, a carefully-designed igloo, or a hill to hide behind for snowball fights, snow sculptures encourage collaborative play—and lots of Olaf-approved laughs together! 

4. Snow Angels and Shape Making

Remember making snow angels when you were a kid? It’s not just a timeless tradition—it also promotes body awareness, bilateral coordination, and even an understanding of shapes and patterns when kids check out the magical print they left in the snow. 

5. Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt

Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t head out to explore nature—in fact, it’s a beautiful time to see the outdoors in all its glory! 

Keep kids engaged with a simple scavenger hunt: challenge them to spot pinecones, evergreen branches, icicles, and even animal tracks (ask them what animal they think left them!). This fun adventure not only incorporates some exercise but also promotes observation skills, increased vocabulary, and curiosity about the world around us.

6. Outdoor Obstacle Course

You might think homemade obstacle courses are just for the warmer weather, but they take on another level of fun when snow creates its own challenging physical activities! Here are some ways to build your own snow day obstacle course:

• Place a rod across two laundry baskets to create a hurdle to jump over or limbo under.
• Map out cones and hula hoops for kids to hop and run around, through, and every which way!
• Simply grab a soccer ball for snow soccer.
  
  

7. Ice Experiments

Ice experiments really bring the wow factor while building STEM skills, cause and effect comprehension, and sensory exploration. 

What you’ll need:

• Dishes
• Odds and ends—think buttons, holly, sticks, small toy pieces
• String 
• Water
  
  

Fill the dishes with water and place a piece of string into the water to act as a hook. Invite kids to arrange the items in the dishes and then place the dishes outside to freeze. You’ll soon have beautiful ice ornaments to hang and admire! Bonus: Watch them melt later for the experiment in reverse.

8. Winter Bird Watching and Feeding

Winter birds provide a parade of color and wildlife activity right outside your window! Attract more winged visitors to your yard with a homemade pinecone birdfeeder.

Select a pinecone from outside, tie a string around the top as a hook, spread peanut butter all around it, and then roll it in birdseed. Watch the birds flock to this special treat!

This activity teaches the value of patience and quiet focus, empathy for wildlife, and appreciation for the beauty and rewards of nature observation.

How to Keep Your Preschooler Safe During Winter Outdoor Play

Dressing kids for winter weather can be tricky—are they warm enough? Are they too warm? Have they been outside for too long? Read on to learn how proper preparation keeps winter play safe.

Dressing Your Preschooler for Cold Weather

Layers are the key to proper winter clothing for preschoolers.

Start with a moisture-wicking base to keep kids dry—think wool or polyester rather than cotton—and then add a fleece, wool, or down layer for insulation. Top it off with weatherproof outerwear that’s big enough to accommodate the other layers without too much bulk.

While mittens tend to retain more warmth, some kids find them restricting. Choose wool socks over cotton to keep feet dry, insist on a hat or helmet, and invest in quality winter boots.

How Long Should Preschoolers Play Outside in Winter?

Once kids are properly layered and having fun outside, what is the recommended outdoor play duration in winter?

While you should always closely monitor your child, here are some basic guidelines based on the windchill:

• 32 degrees and warmer: Safe for extended playtime
• 13 to 31 degrees: Take indoor breaks every 20-30 minutes
• 13 degrees and below: Stay inside and have some hot chocolate to avoid frostbite

Signs It’s Time to Come Inside

More important than the temperature: Keep an eye on your child to ensure they’re not too cold and their clothes aren’t wet to prevent dangerous conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia. Additional warning signs to watch out for:

• Shivering
• Red, pale skin
• Complaints of numbness or tingling
• Crankiness
  
  

Be sure to bring your child inside immediately if they are experiencing any of these symptoms and call your pediatrician if you have any concerns.

Partner with Ducklings for Year-Round Active Learning

At Ducklings Early Learning Center, outdoor play is part of our daily routine, regardless of the season. We see firsthand the benefits of daily time spent in the fresh air—from strengthening muscles, coordination, and essential physical skills, to promoting coordination and safe risk-taking. Our proprietary Shake a Tail Feather© curriculum includes structured outdoor time and movement activities, helping every leap, wiggle, and hop contribute to whole-child development.

Ready to get started? Contact your nearest Ducklings Early Learning Center to schedule a family tour.