Parenting resources
15 Fun Winter Activities for Kids
These fun winter activities for kids can help keep the family entertained on cold days.
Posted on
As the weather gets colder and kids are out of school for the holidays, you and your co-parent may be looking for winter activities to help keep the children busy. Luckily, our list of winter activities for kids includes indoor and outdoor ideas for toddlers, school-age children, and teens, making it easy for parents to plan a fun-filled winter break!
Try these 15 activities:
1. Build a snowman
Building a snowman is a classic winter activity that the kids are sure to enjoy. Not cold enough for snow? Build a sand or pillow snowman instead! You and the kids can use traditional snowman accessories like a carrot, coal, and sticks, or get creative with felt, buttons, ribbon, and more.
2. Make a blanket fort
Winter break is the perfect time for the kids to pull out all the blankets and pillows to build a cozy fort. They’ll have a blast putting it together and it’s easy to clean up! Once the kids make the fort, they can play games, tell stories, or watch movies inside.
3. Hold a hot chocolate making contest
Get out the whip cream, marshmallows, candy canes, and all your other favorite hot chocolate ingredients for this family-friendly contest. The kids will have a blast creating their own special hot chocolate drinks for everyone to try and vote on!
4. Have a holiday-inspired movie night
Who doesn’t like to watch a few classic Christmas movies over winter break? You and the kids can each pick a holiday movie you’d like to watch and then settle in. Want to make this winter activity a hit? Gather everyone’s favorite movie candies and cook up some popcorn!
5. Host a winter-themed fashion show
Tell the kids to get out their best winter garb and then get creative with different fashion themes and challenges for them to complete! You can even set up a fake runway with blankets, chairs, and lights so the kids can strut their stuff and pose for the camera.
6. Make Christmas ornaments
Looking for a holiday arts and crafts activity? Making ornaments can be fun for the whole family while adding a personalized touch to your Christmas tree! All you need is some papier-mâché, popsicle sticks, glitter, ribbon, and glue to make this winter art project come to life.
7. Complete a puzzle
Puzzles are a fun family project that can make spending a cold day inside much more enjoyable for everyone! You can choose the difficulty of the puzzle based on how old your kids are, making this a great winter activity for children of any age.
8. Roast marshmallows
You can’t go wrong with a night spent around the fire pit. All you need is some marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers to make this winter activity a success! Don’t have a fire pit? Just use the microwave or toaster oven to make s'mores with the kids.
9. Go caroling
If your kids like to sing or dance, caroling is a great winter activity to get the family out of the house. Make some hot chocolate to stay warm and then walk around the neighborhood singing or playing Christmas classics!
10. Read winter children’s books
For toddlers and younger children especially, snuggling up to listen to their favorite winter or holiday story is a great way to end the day. Reading to your children before bed can also help them get a better night’s rest!
11. Knit together
You and the kids will both enjoy this winter activity. Whether you choose to knit a scarf, blanket, or beanie together, everyone can join in on the fun! Once your knitted piece is complete, use it all winter long or give it to someone as a Christmas gift.
12. Bake & decorate cookies
Whether you’re making your own dough or buying some from the store, cookie cutters, icing, and sprinkles can make baking and decorating holiday cookies a winter break favorite. Your kids will love this delicious arts and crafts project from start to finish!
13. Look at Christmas lights
Christmas decorations and lights help make the season bright! Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have much going on, you can take a mini road trip around town to see what you can find. Play some Christmas jams as you drive along to put everyone in the holiday spirit.
14. Have a game night
Game night is a great activity for a cold winter night, no matter how old the kids are. Take turns choosing what to play and get some friendly competition going! This is the perfect winter activity to include friends and neighbors in as well.
15. Cook together
Cooking together can be fun for everyone, but it also teaches valuable life skills. This is a great opportunity for your kids to learn to make soups, casseroles, savory pies, and many other cold weather meals. Then sit down and eat as a family!