The days are shorter, the air is colder, and the novelty of snow has worn off. Yes, winter is here. While it can be tough to keep kids entertained when all they want to do is stay inside and watch TV, don't worry – we've got you covered. From making snowmen to going on nature walks, read on for some fun winter activities for kids that will keep them busy and entertained all season long.
Top 7 Winter Activities Your Kids Will Love
Winter may bring cold temperatures and long nights, but you don’t have to stay inside all season! With a little bit of creativity and some good planning, you can enjoy winter activities with your kids that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Here are our favorite options:
1. Go sledding
Sledding with kids can be a great family activity during the winter months, but it can also be a little daunting for novice sledders. First, you'll need to choose a good sledding spot. Try to look for somewhere that's safe and easily accessible—one with some mild slopes and limited obstacles. Once you've found the perfect spot, it's time to get kitted up. Appropriate clothing is essential—make sure everyone has thick coats, hats and gloves, as well as waterproof trousers or snow boots.
Next comes the choice of sled! Tupperware lids and trays might work in a pinch, but an authentic sledge is probably best for the safest ride (unless you want wet bottoms at the bottom of the slope!).
Finally, hold onto those handles tight and don't forget to keep an eye out for obstructions—before you know it, you'll all be enjoying your first family sledding trip!
2. Build a snowman
What better way to enjoy a snowy day than building a snowman? Often cited as one of the most beloved winter activities, crafting a snowman is something that children just can't seem to get enough of. In part, this is because of the creative aspect it presents - by carefully stacking packed snow and adding bits and pieces, kids can create an entirely unique snowman. And unlike many traditional crafts such as painting or clay sculpting, it doesn’t require any mess or cleanup afterwards!
Plus, if children don’t have a yard to build in, they can generally find plenty of public spaces with untouched snows for construction. Better still, when the temperature rises, their masterpiece will quickly vanish like so many childhood memories—leaving only a reminder of how much fun was created on that cold winter day.
3. Do Winter sensory activities
Winter presents a great opportunity for educational, sensory-based activities that both children and adults can enjoy.
One creative example is to fill several trays with dry ingredients such as flour, oatmeal flakes, dried herbs, or colored craft sand. Kids can then explore them in a sensory bin while they identify differences between textures and hues.
Another activity involves using pillows and blankets to build cozy forts for warmth and imaginative play—a perfect way to keep kids entertained indoors during the chilly months of winter.
For outdoors, try “ice fishing” by freezing plastic balls in ice-filled containers or sensory walks. Take a walk around the neighborhood noticing different textures of snow and crunchy leaves scattered on the ground – collecting any worth mentioning items along the way or discuss what winter smells like (cinnamon from bakeries, maybe!).
Allowing children to explore winter through sensory play encourages creativity, makes physical and dealing with change easier, as well as expanding their vocabulary for discussing sensations.
4. Have a gingerbread house decorating contest
Start by having everyone assemble their own pre-baked gingerbread houses and have an array of decorations available. Ahead of time, come up with a list of categories and challenge the bunch to have the best design in each one. These might include 'most creative use of sweets', 'tallest creation' or 'best holiday theme'.
One pro tip is to commit to having someone take photos all along so you can put together an album you'll cherish for years to come! Don't worry if something goes wrong while decorating; just view it as an opportunity to learn and apply that knowledge next time around. The most important thing is to remember who you're in it for: creating memories your little ones will always treasure!
The calming effects of creating things can last far beyond the excitement of tearing into presents or eating holiday food. Creativity and self-expression are essential in growing minds, so invite the kids into your kitchen, surround them with sweets, let their imaginations run wild, and wait for amazing results! At the end of it, you’ll have original masterpieces you can admire on any cold winter day—plus loads more holiday spirit than when you first started!
5. Decorate your house for Christmas
Christmas is a magical time of year, especially if you're a kid! Decorating your house for the holidays is one of the most exciting activities during this festive period. Kids love getting creative and having some input into how the house looks.
Aside from the obvious advantages, like making sure each door has a wreath over it, there are plenty of other things that kids find fun and fulfilling when decorating their houses for Christmas. Stringing lights around windows and doors, selecting meaningful presents to put under the tree, hanging tinsel in each room—these are all activities that can help bring out the inner-artist in any young person.
Additionally, there's no better feeling than proudly showing off your handiwork when family or friends come to visit over the holiday season.
6. Paint the snow
Painting snow may not seem like the first creative activity to come to mind when you're thinking of things to do with kids. In fact, it might appear too daunting, but never fear—with some preparation and a little help from Mother Nature, painting snow with kids can be a delightful winter experience. Start by gathering supplies: tempera paint and large paint brushes work best. You'll also want some plastic containers or ice cube trays to hold your paint, which should be mixed beforehand in order to achieve the desired consistency.
Once you've gathered everything, take your supplies outside and let the fun begin! With no canvas required—just nature's white backdrop of fresh snowfall—let children express themselves however they'd like. They can create masterpieces of abstract art or make fun designs like paw prints and tracks! Best of all, as the temperature drops, their creations will stay frozen in time for everyone to enjoy.
7. Go ice skating
Ice skating is an activity that kids simply love. One of the charms is that they can easily learn—with a few pointers and some practice, most children can pick up the basics rather quickly.
But despite the learning curve, one thing remains the same: gliding around ice rinks provides a unique, thrilling sensation. There’s a real sense of accomplishment too as kids become more confident on their skates and finally nail those trickier turns. Then there’s the social interaction – from having fun with friends to mastering new moves together in confidence-building cooperatives.
Plus it’s also so much healthier than playing video games or watching TV, increasing strength and physical coordination as skaters work out their abs without even noticing it!
And there you have it, our favorite Winter activities for kids! We hope you have an amazing season with your children, friends, and family!
Don’t forget to leave a comment letting us know which activity was your favorite! Also, if you have a really cool one to add to the list, let us know too!