15 Enjoyable Things to do with Children When it’s Cold Outside

Jan 5th 2023

father and child making a snowman in snow-covered grassy area

Winter weather can be harsh. But not every winter day needs to be spent indoors. Winter is an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to the simple joys of snow and ice. (Yes, there really are some!)

Some of these winter activities are timeless classics you likely enjoyed as a child; others may be new.

Keep a few precautions in mind:

Dress suitably for the conditions
If leaving home, bring water and portable snacks if you will be away for more than a few hours
Stay updated with weather reports to ensure you are not caught off guard

And when the weather becomes too nasty to venture outdoors, we have a few indoor suggestions for those days too!

Outdoor Fun to Share with Kids

Go for a walk. During a nature stroll through the woods or on a local trail, your children might be amazed at how different everything appears in winter. However, that does not mean there is nothing to observe. Challenge your kids to identify animal footprints or hold a winter scavenger hunt. Look for pinecones, acorns, animal tracks, icicles, feathers, evergreens, and specific overwintering birds.
Give snowshoeing a try! Snowshoeing is a type of hiking with specialized footwear called snowshoes. The unique design of snowshoes spreads body weight so your feet don’t sink deep into the snow. It’s great exercise and an excellent way to burn off your kids’ pent-up energy. Start your adventure by searching online for “Where to snowshoe near me” or “Where to rent snowshoes near me.” More parks are now offering snowshoe rentals, and some public libraries even lend kids’ snowshoes.
Create snow structures. Most kids don’t need an excuse to play in the snow, but these ideas can help channel their energy. Have them build a classic snowman or snow fort, or collaborate to construct an igloo. Bring out the sand toys to make a snow castle or challenge your children to a snow sculpting contest.
Add some hues. While they’re out playing in the snow, add some color with snow paint. Fill a dollar store squirt bottle (or several) with water and mix in a few drops of food coloring. The snow is your canvas! Adjust the spray bottle nozzle to create narrow or broad lines. Use your snow paint to spray pictures or decorate your snow sculptures. Be cautious as food coloring can stain clothes and other items – so no squirting each other, the house, fence, or car. You might want the kids to wear older or waterproof gloves while snow painting.
Visit the zoo. You might be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable a winter visit to the zoo can be! The park won’t be nearly as crowded as during summer – and the animals seem to relish the attention. (Polar bears and seals, in particular, can be very entertaining when they have an audience.) After watching the animals outside, warm up in a rainforest exhibit, aviary, or gorilla house. Check if your local zoo offers special winter rates.
Tour your own city. When was the last time you visited local attractions that draw tourists to your area? Art, science, and history museums often top the list. Historical buildings, zoos (as noted above), markets, and botanical gardens are great as well. Winter is also a prime season for theater, so look for shows suited to school-aged kids and attend a performance! Check local publications and social media sites for lesser-known “hidden treasures,” particularly those that cater to your children’s unique interests.
Host a bonfire. Winter nights are long, cold, and dark. Warm and brighten the night with a winter bonfire. Dress warmly and bring extra blankets or sleeping bags, then gather cozily around the fire pit. At a winter bonfire party, you can enjoy hot drinks, toast s’mores, sing songs, and stargaze, just like during the summer. Moreover, a bonfire in winter means no bugs to annoy you!
Attend a winter festival. Embrace the season by participating in a winter festival. Look for events that feature activities for the entire family to enjoy, like ice skating, sledding, tobogganing, sleigh rides, and hot chocolate bars. There might be ice or snow sculpting contests, 5K Runs, and ice wine or beer tastings for adults. Families lucky enough to explore an ice castle will have a beautiful and unforgettable experience.
Go on a sleigh ride. You’ve sung about “dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh,” but have you ever actually been on a sleigh ride? Maybe now’s the moment! A sleigh is a wagon fitted with ski-like runners rather than wheels. Of course, this adventure might be tricky to check off your list if there’s no snow where you live. But for those residing in colder climates, it’s the perfect time of year (indeed, the only time of year!) to appreciate the winter landscape from a genuine horse-drawn sleigh.
Engage in winter science experiments. Encourage young scientists with experiments designed for the outdoor winter environment. Show them how to create a snow volcano, with colorful “lava” spilling from a snow mound. If it’s extremely cold outside, bundle up well, grab some bubble mix, and try making frozen soap bubbles. Experiment with colorful icicles. Even simpler, the next time it snows, go outside and examine the structure of snowflakes.

Indoor Winter Activities for Kids
Create cards for people in nursing homes. During the peak of the pandemic, nursing homeLocal residents were limited to only seeing visitors from afar or through a pane of glass. Presently, more stringent visitation rules hinder school groups from frequenting senior care homes as they used to. However, elderly individuals cherish interactions with children and will be delighted to receive a card or a drawing from your little ones. Get in touch with the activities coordinator at your neighborhood nursing home for further information.
Give origami a go. The traditional Japanese art of paper folding into various shapes and figures is a captivating pursuit for youngsters with refined fine motor skills. Typically, origami designs require perfectly square sheets of paper, which can be purchased at craft shops or made at home using gift wrapping paper (excluding tissue paper) or cut-down printer paper. (Be aware that construction paper is too thick and tears easily.) Craft stores or local libraries may have simple, step-by-step folding guides. Websites such as Origami Guide also provide straightforward instructions for kids. With a bit of practice, children can create origami creatures like bugs, turtles, frogs, whales, birds, boxes, and more!
Create kindness rocks. You’ve likely seen them online—rocks adorned with uplifting words and messages. Painting rocks is an excellent activity for keeping kids engaged during chilly winter days! Instructions can be found at The Kindness Rocks Project. When the weather turns favorable, you can “spread” your messages by placing the painted rocks along park trails, walkways, and (with permission) in the gardens of friends, family, and senior care homes.
Attract birds by feeding them. Bird watching is a wonderful wintertime hobby, as is making a bird feeder. Not only will your handmade feeder attract additional feathered visitors to your garden, but the snacks will provide vital nourishment to help the birds endure the winter months. Simple bird feeder ideas include pine cones coated with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed, or strings of popcorn and cranberries. Hang your bird seed pine cones and popcorn garland on a tree or pole visible from your windows. Numerous other easy DIY bird feeder ideas are available online. Check out the Audubon website to identify common backyard birds. You can also borrow bird identification books from your local library or download one of many bird ID apps to your mobile phone.
Start planning your garden. When winter becomes too dreary, and you begin yearning for warmer times, start planning your garden! Fresh catalogs from Burpee, Gurney’s, Baker Creek, and other seed companies (many available for free) offer vivid color photos that spark inspiration. You and your kids might discover plants you’ve never encountered before. Some fun garden ideas for kids include vegetable gardens, pollinator gardens, and pizza gardens. Surprisingly, early spring is the optimal time to start many seedlings indoors, including tomatoes and select flowers. Consult your seed catalog or contact your local cooperative extension office for area-specific planting advice.

Winter’s unique climate and scenery provide plenty of chances for new games, activities, and experiences with your children. And we haven’t even mentioned the joyous winter holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day. Stock up on hot cocoa and warm gloves, and carve out some time to indulge in some light-hearted winter fun!

Related content:

The History of Valentine’s Day

The History of St. Patrick’s Day

The History of Easter