This time of year, snow days are inevitable! Here are some ways to encourage open-ended play for kiddo ages 2-6:

2-4 Year Olds

For kiddos ages 2-4, the focus of play is on sensory play. Talking kiddo through the different aspects of snow like its texture, temperature, and what happens to it when it is touched or moved is the best way to encourage their play. Focus on touch exploration, gross motor skills, and basic cause-and-effect actions! Here are some examples: making footprints, scooping snow, building basic shapes, watching things change. Remember, kiddo will love exploring the snow!

This can sound like: “Wow, look at all the snow! Let’s touch it with our hands and feel how cold and soft it is. You can make footprints in the snow as we walk around, or you can use a little shovel to scoop it up and put it in a bucket. If you want, we can try rolling a snowball together—it can be small or big! Let’s see what shapes we can make in the snow with our hands and feet. I’ll help you make a tiny snowman if you want!”

4-6 Year Olds

As kiddo gets older, they are more able to play using imagination and play by building. They can build simple structures, like snowmen or forts, and are starting to experiment with shapes and forms. Building encourages creativity and planning, but still leaves lots of room for flexibility. Symbolic play can also allow them to pretend snow structures are something more, like a road for cars for a home for animals. Motor gross skill play is also a hit with this age group, like rolling snowballs or packing snow into blocks.

This can sound like: “Look at all the snow! Let’s see what we can build with it. We can start by rolling snowballs to make a snowman, or maybe you’d like to build a little snow fort to hide in? We can make patterns in the snow with our feet or sticks, and if we have some mittens, let’s see if we can pack the snow into a block and stack it like a tower. What can you think of to make in the snow? Maybe a snow cave, or a little snow road for toy cars to drive on?”

6+ Year Olds

At 6 years old, kiddos are able to plan and execute more detailed ideas. Larger projects, like snow families or larger forts, would work well. Structured play is also a hit, like a snowball fight or detailed snow sculptures. These kiddos can engage in more complex imaginative play, like entire stories about the snow structures or planning out a snow village. The focus is more on actively designing, constructing, and using snow in ways that are both creative and social. Finding sticks, rocks, leaves, and other items to add in would be a great way to encourage open play. Problem-solving skills are also working well, as kiddos can work to overcome challenges like how to stack snowballs or build a sturdy fort.

This can sound like: “Look at all this snow, we can do so much! How about we build a big snowman together? You can roll the snowballs to make the body and the head, and we can find twigs, rocks, and a scarf to give it a face and arms. Or, let’s make a snow fort with walls, and maybe even a roof! How about digging a tunnel through the snow or creating a little snow village? What other creations can we make? We could also try a snowball fight or see who can make the biggest snowball. Let’s use our imaginations to turn this snow into something fun!”

Tools to Encourage Play:

Shovel, either small or large

Bucket/Pail

Thick Mittens

Snow Boots

Balaclava face/neck cover

Snow Block Mould

No matter your kiddo’s age, playing in the snow (as long as it’s not too cold!) is an activity that builds childhood memories. The new conditions are a great way to encourage open play and get out some energy!