Winter can be magical—snowy landscapes, warm cocoa, and cozy nights at home. But the shorter days and chilly weather can also leave families searching for creative ways to fill the time and beat cabin fever. Kids have endless energy, even when it’s freezing outside, and finding activities to keep them engaged (and off screens) can feel like a full-time job.
Check out this list of 10 fun winter activities for kids that the whole family will enjoy!
Winter Activities Kids Will Love
Winter is the perfect time to make lasting memories as a family. Fill your days with crafts, baking, and other indoor fun, or bundle up for outdoor adventures in the snow. There are so many options to help keep everyone active, connected, and full of joy all season long.
Indoor Activities You Can Do At Home
When it’s too cold for outdoor playtime, indoor activities can be just as much fun and offer the perfect way to keep kids entertained while encouraging their creativity. Here are a few ideas to try.
1. Get Crafty Together
Winter crafts are a great way to pass the time and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. You can have fun creating paper snowflakes to hang in the windows, make ornaments to decorate the house, or even design your own DIY snow globes.
We also love these ice wreaths and ornaments from Ginny Yurich at 1000 Hours Outside because you can make them anytime with just water and natural fillers found in your yard. Plus, they turn out beautifully and are fun for kids of all ages.
2. Bake Up Some Winter Treats
The kitchen is the perfect spot to bring everyone together on a cold day. Try setting up a hot chocolate bar with fun toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes, or get creative by building gingerbread houses. Baking cookies or making homemade chocolate-covered pretzels can also be a fun (and delicious!) way to spend the afternoon.
Bonus: the house will smell amazing, and everyone gets to enjoy the tasty rewards of their efforts!
3. Storytime and Movie Nights
Transform a chilly evening into a family bonding experience with storytime or a themed movie night. Dive into your kids’ favorite stories by reading them aloud, or plan a movie marathon around a theme like “holiday magic” or “superheroes.” Pop some popcorn, make a cozy blanket fort, and settle in for a night of shared fun.
4. Try a New Hobby
Winter is a great time to explore something new as a family. Start a hobby like beading or finger knitting for hands-on fun, or try scrapbooking to create a memory book of the past year. If your kids enjoy strategy, chess is a great way to stretch their brains while spending time together. For something more physical, family yoga sessions can help everyone stay active and relaxed.
Outdoor Winter Weather Activities
Colder weather may bring shorter days, but it’s still a great time for kids to run, play, and recharge outdoors. Regular exercise and outdoor time can boost energy levels and keep spirits high, even in the chillier months.
To add an extra layer of excitement to these fun winter activities for kids, encourage them to use the pedometer feature on their COSMO Smartwatch to track their steps during outdoor adventures. They can challenge themselves to beat their personal records or create a competition with friends to see who can get in the most steps in a day.
5. Snow Play and Winter Fun
Few things feel as magical to kids (and grown-ups!) as fresh snow. It’s the perfect backdrop for countless outdoor activities that bring the entire family together:
- Snow Angels and Forts: Lay down in the snow to make angels or get creative and build your own snow castle or forts.
- Snowball Fights: Organize a family-friendly snowball fight—set up teams or just enjoy some free-for-all fun.
- Ice Skating and Ice Hockey: Head to a local ice rink to play ice hockey—perfect for igniting some friendly competition and getting everyone moving!
6. Nature Walks and Winter Hikes
Winter transforms familiar landscapes into something entirely new. A trail you’ve walked countless times in warmer weather feels like a completely different world when blanketed in snow or touched by frost. Take the family on a nature walk or winter hike and point out how the environment changes with the seasons. Look for animal tracks in the snow, spot evergreen trees standing out against the winter landscape, or notice how the light plays differently in the shorter days.
7. Sledding and Skiing
Think back to your favorite winter memories as a kid. We’ll bet at least one of them involves zooming down a snowy hill—there's just something about it that's so much fun and takes you back to simpler times.
- Sledding: There’s nothing like the thrill of sledding on a snowy day. Find a nearby hill, grab your sleds, and head out for a fun adventure!
- Skiing and Snowboarding: For families with older kids or those looking for a bit of a challenge, skiing or snowboarding at a local resort is a great way to bond while learning a new skill or practicing together on the slopes.
More Indoor Fun When You Can't Get Outside
Sometimes, winter weather can make heading outdoors less appealing—or downright impossible. On those days, indoor activities can be a lifesaver for a busy toddler or a bored tween. These options are great for getting out of the house and spending quality time together as a family.
8. Bowling
Bowling is a classic family activity that never gets old. The excitement of rolling for strikes and cheering each other on creates plenty of memorable moments. Add in extras like glow bowling nights, arcade games, and snack options, and it’s a great way to spend time together on a chilly day.
9. Indoor Pools
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a swim! Local indoor pools are a fantastic way to let kids splash around and stay active during the winter. Some indoor facilities even have water slides, lazy rivers, or kids’ play zones, making it feel like a little staycation without leaving town.
10. Trampoline Parks and Adventure Parks
For high-energy fun, trampoline parks and adventure parks are where it's at. Trampoline parks let kids bounce, flip, and climb to their hearts’ content, while adventure parks often include rock climbing walls, obstacle courses, and zip lines. These spots are perfect for rainy or snowy days when the whole family needs a change of scenery and a chance to burn off some energy.
Bonus: Learn About Winter Holidays Around The World
Winter is a season filled with traditions and celebrations that vary across cultures, making it the perfect time to teach kids about the world’s diversity. Learning about how different cultures celebrate their winter holidays is not only fun but also helps children develop an appreciation for others' beliefs and traditions.
Beyond just reading about holidays and traditions, you can help immerse your children into new cultures through fun activities and experiences. As Christy Tirrell-Corbin, PhD, explains for PBS Kids, “While children’s books open children’s eyes to differences, actual experiences have the most profound influence on what children think and believe.”
Here are some fun winter holidays to explore with your family:
- Christmas: Celebrate the season by diving into the traditions of Christmas. From decorating trees and baking cookies to learning about the origins of Santa Claus, there’s much to discover about this holiday’s history and significance.
- Hanukkah: Known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Families light the menorah, play games like dreidel, and enjoy traditional foods like latkes.
- Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1. Families light candles on the Kinara, reflect on principles like unity and self-determination, and enjoy music, storytelling, and a shared feast.
- Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is celebrated with vibrant parades, dragon dances, and family reunions. It’s a time for honoring ancestors and welcoming good fortune for the year ahead.
- Winter Solstice: The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, has been celebrated by cultures around the world for centuries. Traditions include lighting candles, enjoying feasts, and reflecting on the return of longer days ahead.
Create Your Family Winter Bucket List!
One of the best ways to beat cabin fever and make the most of the winter season is by creating a bucket list full of winter activities for kids and families. Sit down together, grab some hot chocolate, and brainstorm all the fun activities you’d like to try before spring arrives. Your list could include cozy indoor activities, adventurous outdoor plans, or even some new traditions inspired by winter holidays from around the world. What's on your winter bucket list this year?
