Beyond Sledding: 3 Zero-Cost Winter Activities for Kids

Getting dressed is the battle. We covered the layering system last week, but once the zippers are fastened and you are standing in the deep silence of the forest, a new question arises: "Now what?"

Sledding is the obvious answer, but it is high-dopamine and short-lived. To truly practice the Nordic concept of open-air living, children need to engage their imaginations, not just their adrenaline. We call this "Slow Play."

When the ground is buried under 50cm of snow, we cannot forage for sticks or moss. The landscape is a blank canvas.

A close-up action shot of a young child wearing a sage green winter suit, striped wool mittens, and a thick ribbed beanie mixing fresh snow in a rustic wooden bowl. The child is creating a "snow bakery," with glass jars filled with pine needles and natural loose parts arranged on a wooden outdoor table in a snowy forest setting.

Here are three ways we bring color and light into the white void, requiring zero plastic and zero cost.

1. Paint the Silence

When the forest floor is hidden, the snow itself becomes the toy. The "Snow Bakery" is a classic, but we add a twist to extend the play time.

We bring a simple spray bottle filled with water and a single drop of food coloring. Suddenly, the endless white drifts become a canvas. A snowball becomes a "ruby cupcake." A drift becomes a painted wall. It changes the child’s focus from moving through the snow to working with the snow.

2. The Frozen Treasure Hunt

If you look closely at the photo above, you will see a basket. In the summer, we use it to gather. In the winter, we use it to transport.

Since nature hides her treasures in January, we make our own. The night before, we freeze water in ice cube trays with pine needles or berries inside—our "Ice Gems." We pack the basket, carry them into the woods, and hide them in the snowdrifts. The children aren't just walking; they are on a rescue mission to find the hidden jewels. It gives the walk a purpose.

3. The Lantern Hour

In the Nordics, the sun sets by 3:00 PM. Instead of fearing the dark, we use it.

We build "Snow Lanterns"—simple pyramids of snowballs with a hollow center. We place a small LED tea light inside. The result is a glowing tower that turns the intimidating dark forest into a magical, soft living room. It teaches children that they can bring warmth to the cold.

Summary

You do not need to be the entertainer. You just need to provide the spark. The snow is the best toy store in the world, and everything is 100% off.

A quiet invitation

To live in closer rhythm with the season, explore our current Seasonal PlayBook.

 A collection of low-prep, sensory-rich invitations to play; created to help you pause, connect, and gently inhabit the days, whatever the weather holds.

View the current Seasonal PlayBook →