When my oldest daughter was five, my wife and I got really into the Winter Olympics. The Games were held in Sochi, Russia, that year. We were glued to the TV, decked out in our red, white, and blue, cheering for the USA in events that were totally foreign to us, like the bobsled, luge, and skiing moguls. We live in Florida, so the only snow we see comes in a paper cone. But we were having so much fun getting into the spirit of the Olympics that we decided to recreate it—as best we could—at home. Our daughter loved doing relay races, Hot Wheels “luge,” and more. We even made a home video that we still watch on occasion.
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games are coming. They run from February 6–22 in Italy. It’s your chance to create the same kind of fun that we had years ago with your own DIY Winter Olympics. Plan fun games, make flags, and even go the extra mile with Opening and Closing Ceremonies! Add an extra layer of fun with some patriotic music. This is your chance to shine like a gold medal. Here are 10 games you can do for a DIY Winter Olympics at home.
1. Sock Skating
Do a riff on speed skating on some smooth floors. Mark off a course and grab your smartphone. Time the racers as they slide around the house in their thickest, slipperiest socks and “skate” for victory. Set up a start and finish line for races. You can even add obstacles to navigate!
2. Figure Skating Routine
Don’t put those socks away just yet! Put on some music and let the kids create their own figure skating routines. Award points for creativity. (Deep down, you know you have some fantastic dance moves. Do your kids know how nimble you are? This is your chance to show off.)
3. Mini Hockey
Create mini hockey sticks using pool noodles (You may have to cut them in half). Set up a wastebasket or box as the goal and slap around a paper ball as the puck. Play on your knees to add a layer of difficulty. Pro Tip: Be mindful of your surroundings. There’s no need to break a lamp over a mini hockey game.
4. Snowball Toss
OK, technically not an official Olympic event, but why not do it anyway? If you live where it snows, get outside and chuck some snowballs. If you live where it’s hot like I do, ball up socks. I once filled socks with flour and threw them. It was messy fun. Aim for buckets and score a point for each made shot.
5. “Ice” Luge
If you have a two-story home, slide down the stairs with a sleeping bag to kick off the race. If you’re in a single-story, just mark off a starting line. Then, inchworm around a certain course. Time each run for a competitive edge!
6. DIY Biathlon
Combine a physical activity (like running in place or doing jumping jacks) with a target-shooting element using cotton ball “snowballs” and Nerf guns. Again, watch out for the lamps.
7. Paper Plate Curling
No ice or heavy stones required! Use paper plates as your “stones” and push them across the floor towards a target you’ve created with painter’s tape. Use brooms, umbrellas, or pool noodles to get those plates in just the right spot.
8. Ski Jumping
Even though it’d be totally awesome, it’s probably best not to launch yourselves. Instead, create a “ski jump” ramp using that leftover Amazon box propped up on books or cushions. Kids can launch small toys or figurines off the ramp and measure the distance. Furthest launch wins!
9. “Snowshoe” Race
Find empty tissue boxes and strap them to the kids’ feet with tape to simulate snowshoes. If you’ve got teens and their feet are far too large for a tissue box, put those empty Amazon boxes to use and make even more obnoxious “shoes” for them. It could even the playing field a bit, honestly. Now, race across the room. Keep Band-Aids handy.
10. Olympic Trivia
Finally, a low-impact event for your DIY Winter Olympics: Test the kids’ knowledge about the Winter Olympics with age-appropriate trivia questions. Make it all about the Games that took place in the USA if you’d like. The 1932, 1960, 1980, and 2002 Games were all held on U.S. soil. You can find great questions online or make up your own.
When you’re all done with the competitions, add up the points and give out the gold medal. If this all feels hokey, it probably is. But that’s the fun. Kids don’t need everything to be super serious all the time. Part of the fun of being a dad is stepping away from all the super serious things in the world and remembering what it’s like to be a kid again. Take a pause from all the grown-up stuff you have to do and just have a great time playing with your kids. Trust us, you’ll make more memories doing this than mowing the lawn (again), doing dishes (again), or whatever adult thing you were needing to check off today. So, consider this your permission to be a kid again. Also, good luck in these events! We’re pulling for you, Dad!
Bonus: Looking for more Olympic game ideas? Check these out!
Sound off: What activities draw you closest as a family?
Huddle up with your kids and ask: “What is your favorite event at the Olympics?”