In the Midwest United States, where I live, the days are getting shorter and the weather is turning cold. That means winter is almost here. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you have to be stuck inside with nothing to do. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor winter activities to do with your kids even if you don’t get lots of snow where you live.
Read on for some fun ideas you can try with your family this winter.
Outdoor Activities
Catch snowflakes on your tongue-Go ahead! You have permission to stick out your tongue and get a taste of winter.
Have a snowball fight-Put on your gloves and start packing the snow into balls. Then battle it out with your friends or family. Make sure you have a fire ready to warm up by after the frigid battle.
Build a snowman- Find an old hat, gloves and boots then meet your family outside for some frigid fun constructing Frosty! Who knows? He might start dancing when you put the hat on his head.
Make a snow angel- Kick back in the snow and move those arms and legs up and down. Then stand up and look at the beautiful angel you just made as you feel just how wet and frozen your back is. What fun!
Go ice-skating-Bundle up, strap on your skates and head out to the nearest frozen pond. Visit a local ice-skating rink if you don’t live where it is cold enough for ponds or lakes to freeze in the winter.
Hit the slopes-Ski as often as you can if you live near the slopes. If not, plan a trip to travel to the mountains this winter. There is nothing more exhilarating than flying down a mountain on skis or a snowboard. Make sure your kids take some lessons because the best time for them to learn skiing or snowboarding is when they are young.
Go sledding-Put on the snowsuits and head to the hills for some good old-fashioned sledding after a significant snowfall. Whee! What fun!
Go snowshoeing-If you don’t own any, see if there is any place locally to rent snowshoes. Then go out and spend the day making tracks in the snow!
Go on a winter hike-Bundle up and head out to the nearest trail for a hike. The cold air will be invigorating! Don’t forget to take your camera and binoculars along.
Relax in an outdoor hot tub-If you have access to an outdoor hot tub, make sure and spend some time relaxing in it on a cold evening. Just make sure you bundle up to stay warm on the way to and from the tub!
Indoor Activities
Relax in front of a fire- Make your favorite warm beverage and then sit down facing the fire and watch the flames dance. There is something so mesmerizing and relaxing about this on a frigid winter evening!
Curl up under a cozy blanket- Take a nap or read a good book while getting warm under your favorite blanket. A weighted blanket will put you on the fast track to relaxing heaven!
Have a family game night- Ditch the video games for a night of good old-fashioned board or card games. Monopoly anyone?
Complete a jigsaw puzzle- Be careful! This could take the entire winter to finish! It just depends on the number of puzzle pieces and the amount of people working on it.
Have a family movie night- Find a movie you can all agree on and pop up some popcorn for a night at the home cinema.
Attend a local hockey game- Cheer on your local hockey team at an indoor arena.
Spend the weekend in a log cabin- That is if you live close enough to one that you can make it happen. If not, plan a trip to the mountains. Check online for log cabin vacation rentals.
Winter Crafts
Cut out paper snowflakes- Remember those snowflakes you cut out of paper when you were a kid? Now it is time to make them with your kids. Don’t remember how? This site gives you step by step instructions on how to make them.
Make sock snowmen- This is a fun way to reuse old socks. Fill an old sock with a 1/2 cup of rice. Tie the sock with a rubber band right above the rice. Then fill the top half of the sock with a ¼ cup of rice. Tie the top of the sock with rice. Put a baby sock or mitten on the top of the sock snowman for a hat. Use a glue gun to secure buttons, ribbon or other material to make a face for the snowman.
Make a bird feeder out of pinecones-Cover a pine cone with peanut butter. Then cover the peanut butter with bird seed. Attach yarn or string to the pine cone and hang it on a tree. Now sit back and watch the birds have lunch!
Paint with pine cones-Dip the cones in white paint. Then roll the pine cones on black or blue paper to make a winter scene. Laminate the dried pictures to make winter place mats.
Yummy Activities
Bake cookies- Turn on the oven, pull out the mixer and the flour and sugar. Mix up a batch of your favorite cookies. Make sure to have some milk on hand. Delicious!
Make a big batch of chili- A simple meal if you let the slow cooker do the cooking for you. Do you like to eat your chili plain or add crackers and cheese to it like I do?
Make snow cream- If you’ve never made snow ice cream before, this winter is the time to try it. The next snow you get, head outside and gather some snow and then check out these snow cream recipes.
Bake cinnamon rolls- Our family loves Ree Drummond’s cinnamon rolls. Bake up an extra pan to take to work, give to the neighbors or put in the freezer for another time.
Eat a cheese ball with crackers- Talk about comfort food! A perfect snack to eat while playing games with your family. Here is a yummy snowman cheese ball recipe that kids will not be able to resist.
Pop popcorn– For even more fun and memories, pop it in a pan like they did in the good old days!
Make a pot of spiced cider- An instant way to warm up after a day of skiing or sledding. Check out this site for an easy way to make cider with your kids.
Make hot chocolate-Warm up on a cold winter evening with a mug full of sweet, chocolaty goodness. Don’t forget the marshmallows. Make your own hot cocoa mix to last you through the winter.
Make smores- If possible, make these over a winter bonfire. The perfect way to keep warm outside on a freezing winter day!
Winter Activities to Do with Your Kids
The next time your children say they are bored this winter, visit this list of winter activities to do with your kids.
Pick at least one activity in each category that you haven’t tried before. Spend some time with your kids making winter memories. Just don’t forget your camera! You will want to document all the fun you will have playing, crafting and cooking.
What are your favorite activities to do in the winter? Anything you would add to the list in this article? Let me know in the comments below.
Have fun making winter memories with your kids!
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