25 Delightful Activities to Do With Your Kids Indoors and Out!
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Winter is often associated with snow-covered ground, making snow angels, hot cocoa, and sitting by a cozy fire. For others, it’s more like fall and, for a few, still sunny warm days ahead.
But whatever your weather, it’s always a good idea to set aside time for some fun, family activities. This is why we created a quick round-up of ideas in case you need inspiration.
Indoor Activities
Hot chocolate and storytime
Cozy up together with hot chocolate or warm apple cider and read a favorite seasonal book together.
Movie nights
Watch family-friendly fall and winter movies with popcorn and blankets at home.
Holiday crafts
Create homemade decorations, ornaments, or greeting cards for the upcoming holidays.
Gingerbread house decorating
Buy a gingerbread house kit or make one from scratch and decorate it together with icing and candies.
Indoor scavenger hunt
Create indoor scavenger hunts with clues and riddles for your child to solve and find hidden treasures around the house.
Write a winter story
Collaborate with your child to write and illustrate a winter-themed storybook. You can even print copies to share with friends and family.
Baking treats
Spend a cozy afternoon baking cookies, pies, or muffins together. Let your child help with mixing, shaping, and decorating.
Fall nature crafts
Go for a nature walk, collect colorful leaves, and use them for art projects like leaf pressing or creating leaf garlands. Make crafts using natural materials like pinecones, acorns, and leaves. Create wreaths, picture frames, or leaf rubbings.
DIY science experiments
Explore science through winter-themed experiments, such as growing snow crystals or making homemade snow globes.
Outdoor Activities
Nature hikes
Take nature walks through parks or trails to observe the changing leaves, wildlife, and the season’s beauty. Create your own scavenger hunt by looking up what foliage, birds, and other animals are in the area and seeing how many you can spot.
Fall and winter festivals
Attend local fall festivals, hayrides, or winter holiday events in your community. Challenge your child’s problem-solving skills by navigating through a local corn maze.
Apple picking
Head to a local farm or apple orchard and pick fresh apples to make pies, apple cinnamon bread, and applesauce or simply to have as snacks. Make a day of it by taking photos, snacking cider and donuts, or just enjoying the day.
Scarecrow building
Use old clothes and straw to create a scarecrow for your garden. Let your child design the scarecrow’s face and outfit.
Ice skating
Visit an ice skating rink to enjoy this classic winter activity together.
Bird watching
Set up bird feeders in your backyard or local park and identify and document the different bird species that visit.
Star gazing
Bundle up and head outdoors on a clear night to observe the stars and learn about constellations with a stargazing app or guide.
Indoor scavenger hunt
Create indoor scavenger hunts with clues and riddles for your child to solve and find hidden treasures around the house.
Make edible ornaments for birds
Cover cut apples or pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed, use twine to hang in your trees, and keep a log of the winter birds enjoying your tasty treats.
Volunteer together
Ignite the spirit of giving in your child by participating in volunteer activities together. If you’re unsure where to start, websites such as VolunteerMatch.org and Idealist.org can help you find opportunities in your area.
And, if you have snow in your area or near you…
Snow building
When it snows, build snowmen, snow forts, or snow angels.
Sledding
Find a nearby hill and go sledding with your child. It’s a thrilling winter adventure.
Outdoor cooking
Try outdoor cooking adventures like making foil packet meals, campfire pizzas, or marshmallow-stuffed banana boats.
Ice fishing
If you live in an area with frozen lakes, ice fishing is a unique winter activity.
Snowshoeing
Explore winter trails on snowshoes, which are easy for kids to use and a great way to enjoy snowy landscapes.
Visit a winter zoo
Some zoos offer unique winter experiences, such as seeing animals in the snow or attending winter-themed animal shows.
Winter kite flying
Take advantage of windy winter days to fly kites and watch them dance in the crisp air.
For even more ideas, visit our Kids’ Activities page.
Remember to choose age-appropriate and safe activities for your child, and always check your local weather conditions when planning outdoor activities.
Enjoy the season together!
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