Winter Activities For Kids
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Winter is a great time to get creative with activities that keep kids entertained and active. From outdoor adventures to indoor crafts, there are plenty of ways to make the season fun. As a mom of 5 who lives in a cold weather climate and who minimizes screen time at home, I’ve had to get pretty creative with activities for winter to keep kids entertained over the years. With shorter days and chillier temperatures, I’ve had to find ways to stop my kids from climbing up the walls and put their enery to good use.
Here’s a list of 30 activities your kids will enjoy this winter. I’ve included both outdoor and indoor activities to help inspire you no matter the weather or occasion. All of these activities are screen-free, mom-approved, and promote movement, learning, creativity, or all of the above!
Note that if you’re looking specifically for Christmas-themed crafts, you’ll want to check out this other article I wrote on 25 Christmas Crafts for Kids.
What Are OUtdoor Winter Activities For Kids?
1. Build a Snowman
Rolling snow into large balls is great exercise, and kids can use their imagination to give their snowman personality. Use a carrot for the nose, sticks for arms, and any old hat or scarf to dress it up. Challenge them to make a whole snow family.
2. Have a Snowball Fight
Divide into teams and make piles of snowballs for an exciting snow battle. Add rules, such as no face throws, to keep things safe. Building small snow forts for cover can make it even more fun.
3. Go Sledding
Find a nearby hill and let the kids slide down on sleds, tubes, or even makeshift boards. They’ll love the thrill of racing each other. It’s a good idea to bring extra mittens to keep hands warm between runs. Here is my very favorite, extremely durable, snow tube for sledding.
4. Ice Skating
Take the family to a local ice rink or a safe frozen pond. Ice skating is a fantastic way to build balance and coordination. Beginners can use skating aids for extra stability. You can buy your own personal ice skates, or many ice rinks offer rentals as an alternative.
5. Make Snow Angels
Lie down on a fresh patch of snow, then wave arms and legs to create angel shapes. It’s simple and satisfying, especially when kids decorate their angels with pine needles or stones for added detail.
6. Build a Snow Fort
Using buckets or even just their hands, kids can stack snow to make walls for a mini fortress. Forts are great for imaginative play or as part of a snowball fight. For extra fun, light them up with glow sticks in the evening.
7. Try Snow Painting
Fill spray bottles with water tinted with food coloring. Kids can spray patterns, draw pictures, or even write their names in the snow. It’s an easy, creative way to brighten a snowy day.
8. Take a Winter Hike
Bundle up and hit the trails for a hike. Encourage kids to look for animal tracks, frosty leaves, and icicles. My kids love following various animal tracks through the snow. Bring a thermos of warm tea or cocoa for a break during the walk.
9. Go Cross-Country Skiing
Introduce kids to skiing on flat terrain to help them learn balance and movement. Many parks offer kid-sized skis for rent, or you can buy your own for a relatively affordable price. It’s a gentle, fun workout for the whole family.
10. Create an Ice Sculpture
Fill molds or containers with water and add food coloring or small objects like leaves or toys. Once frozen, arrange the pieces outdoors to create icy masterpieces.
11. Host a Winter Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of items like pinecones, icicles, and animal tracks for kids to find outdoors. This activity combines exploration with problem-solving. Offer small prizes for completed lists.
12. Make Frozen Bubbles
On extra-cold days, blow soap bubbles and watch them freeze in midair. The kids will love seeing the delicate ice crystals form as the bubbles land.
13. Set Up a Bird Feeding Station
Roll pinecones in peanut butter and birdseed, then hang them in trees. Watching winter birds like cardinals or chickadees feed can be educational and relaxing.
14. Try Snowshoeing
Snowshoes make it easier to walk on deep snow, turning a hike into a new adventure. Many trails rent snowshoes for kids, giving them a chance to try something different. You could also purchase them for a fairly affordable price—this would make an excellent Christmas gift.
15. Go Stargazing
Bundle up, grab a blanket, and look for constellations on a clear night. Use a stargazing app to help identify stars. Kids will be amazed by the winter sky’s clarity.
What Are Indoor Winter Activities For Kids?
16. Bake Cookies
Kids can help measure, mix, and decorate sugar cookies. Use winter-themed cookie cutters like snowflakes or mittens (these are my favorites, and they are very inexpensive on Amazon!) Baking teaches practical skills and leaves you with delicious treats.
17. Create a Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings for kids to customize their drinks. Add candy canes for stirring to make it extra festive.
18. Craft Paper Snowflakes
Fold paper and snip creative patterns to make snowflakes. Hang them around the house or on windows for a fun decoration. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
19. Build a Blanket Fort
Drape blankets over furniture to make a cozy hideout. Add pillows, books, or even fairy lights for extra fun. Kids can spend hours playing or reading inside.
20. Make Winter-Themed Slime
Mix glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution to create slime. Add glitter and blue or silver coloring for a frosty look. It’s a fun sensory activity that kids love.
21 Play Indoor Bowling
Set up plastic cups or empty bottles as pins. Use a lightweight ball to knock them down. This easy game is perfect for all ages and keeps kids active indoors.
22. Create Salt Dough Ornaments
Mix flour, salt, and water to make a dough that can be shaped and baked. Once hardened, kids can paint them to make unique ornaments. These make great keepsakes or gifts.
23. Have a Movie Marathon
Choose winter-themed movies like Frozen or The Polar Express. Set up blankets and popcorn for a cozy indoor experience. Let kids vote on what to watch next.
24. Paint a Winter Scene
Use watercolors or acrylic paints to create snowy landscapes or holiday themes. Kids can frame their masterpieces to give as gifts or display at home.
25. Try Winter Science Experiments
Experiment with freezing water in different shapes or making homemade snow with baking soda and conditioner. These activities are fun and educational.
26. Host a Dance Party
Play their favorite music and let them burn off energy with dancing. Add disco lights or glow sticks for extra excitement. My kids especially love it when they put on costumes for their dance parties. This one is a favorite in my house!
27. Make Paper Chain Decorations
Cut colorful paper strips and loop them into chains. These decorations can brighten up any room and give kids something to proudly display.
28. Try Indoor Gardening
Plant herb seeds like basil or parsley in small pots. Kids will love watering and watching their plants grow, even in the middle of winter. Here is my favorite kid-friendly indoor gardening starter kit that makes this activity very easy and fun.
29. Visit a Winter Festival
Check your community calendar for local events. Festivals often feature lights, music, and activities like horse-drawn sleigh rides, making them a memorable outing.
30. Volunteer Together
Spend time giving back by helping at a food bank or donating winter clothes. It’s a meaningful way to teach kids about kindness and community involvement.
Conclusion
These kid-friendly winter activities provide endless options for keeping kids entertained during the winter months. Whether outdoors in the snow or inside by the fire, there’s something here for every family.
Wishing you and your family all the best this winter season!
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