Downhill Skiing Games for Little Kids

Skiing is a fast sport that requires a high level of coordination and fitness. Many young children don't have enough coordination or experience to ski properly. Use downhill skiing games when working with inexperienced young children to keep their attention, create an entertaining lesson plan and promote the necessary downhill skills to ski effectively.

  1. Stopping Games

    • In order to become a successful downhill skiers, children must get comfortable with ski equipment and basic skills. Stopping represents one of the key skills a child needs to attain the comfort level necessary to progress. French Fries and Pizza is one of the simplest stopping games. Here, the instructor yells out "french fries" to tell the kids to hold their skis parallel to pick up speed. Yelling "pizza" means kids must point the ends of their skis toward each other to reduce speed and stop. Another classic game is red light, green light. Like the non-snow version most people know, kids must stop and go according to the directions given. Kids can use any method to stop, including the sliding stop often seen in hockey.

    Direction Games

    • Young children must understand the importance of following directions, especially when participating in a sport that can cause injury if they are not careful. Games that focus on following directions help hone a child's listening skills while she still get to have fun. The game of Follow the Leader Downhill gets young skiers to follow the instructor downhill while the instructor indicates what moves are coming up. Simon Says uses the same use of direction through clear vocal cues on whether to turn right, turn left, or stop.

    Tandem Games

    • Tandem games give children an opportunity to work with a partner to finish a given task. This requires more coordination and experience than what truly novice skiers have, yet still remains a popular game for little children with some experience. A common tandem games has two skiers moving in and out of slalom run to create figure eights. This requires young skiers to work with a partner, follow directions, and stay focused on the downhill run while another skier is close.

    Speed Games

    • Once a little kid has mastered stopping, she can then move onto speed. Of course children don't need to pick up any significant speed while going downhill. The lesson remains important nonetheless and an integral part of controlling the body and skis. A common speed game is Balloon Hunt. The instructor ties balloons to poles on the downhill slope. The kids then ski downhill and attempt to pop the balloons. The children with the best time and highest number of balloon pops win. Two- or three-person relay races also teach how to pick up speed.