11 frosty and snowy adventures for kids this winter

Thinking about your snow adventure badge, but struggling to find skis or snowflakes?

That’s no problem. You don’t need a blustery blizzard or freezing temperatures to get stuck in and have a brilliant winter adventure. 

Our adventure badges are all about trying new things, building confidence and working together as a team. Whether you’re indoors or outside, there are loads of frosty, fun ideas you can try – and yes, hot chocolate should definitely be involved! 

Here are 11 ways to explore, create and enjoy the magic of winter, whatever the weather: 

1. Take a frosty nature walk with hot chocolate: Wrap up warm and head outside to explore. Listen to the crunch of leaves, spot frosty cobwebs or icy puddles, and look out for winter wildlife. Once you’re back, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. Marshmallows? Absolutely. 
2. Go on a winter walk with a scavenger hunt: Make a list of wintry treasures, like pinecones, frosted berries, animal tracks or icicles. Race against your friends or family to find them all, and see who’s the best nature detective. Read our winter walk guidance.
3. Try ice painting: Freeze coloured water in an ice cube tray, adding lollipop sticks to make icy paintbrushes. Once frozen, use your icy paintbrushes to create chilly masterpieces on paper or fabric. As they melt, watch the colours mix and swirl! 
4. Build a snowman: If there’s snow outside, get building! If not, create your own indoor version using socks, cotton wool, paper or recycling materials. Give them a name, a scarf and maybe even a story. 
5. Go ice skating: Find your nearest ice rink and give skating a go. It’s a great way to build confidence, get better at balancing and have fun with friends. Read our ice skating guidance. 
6. Make an icy suncatcher: Collect leaves, berries or petals and freeze them in a shallow dish of water. Once frozen, hang your suncatcher outside and watch it glitter in the winter sunshine before it melts away. 
7. Host a snowball dodgeball or throwing game: No snow? No problem. Use soft balls, toilet roll or scrunched-up paper snowballs for a friendly throwing game or fast-paced dodgeball. Set up teams and see who can score the most points. 
8. Try curling: You can set up your own version at home using plastic lids or bottle tops on a smooth surface. Aim for a target marked out with tape or chalk. Alternatively, check out our curling guidance and try the real thing.  
9. Make fake snow: Mix shaving foam and baking soda to create fluffy, snow-like fun you can play with indoors. It’s cold, squishy and perfect for sensory play. Just remember to pop down some newspaper first! 
10. Melt an ice block race challenge: Freeze a small toy or coin inside a block of ice. Then, using items like salt, spoons, pipettes, newspaper, tinfoil or even fabric, race to see who can melt their ice the fastest. 
11. Make your own ice-cream: You don’t need a freezer to make ice-cream. Mix milk, sugar and vanilla in a bag, then seal it and place it inside a larger bag filled with ice and salt. Shake it up for 5–10 minutes until it turns creamy. Then add some tasty toppings and enjoy your homemade treat!

Find out more about the snow badge and all our adventure badges.