What to Do With Children in the Winter

Winter can feel long and cold, but it’s also a season full of fun opportunities for kids. With a little planning, you can keep children active, entertained, and learning—even when it’s chilly outside. From indoor crafts to snowy adventures, there are endless ways to make winter a magical season for the whole family.

Activities for Winter Vacation

Winter vacation is the perfect time to mix relaxation with fun activities. Here’s a list to get started:

1. Build a snowman or snow fort
2. Go sledding or ice skating
3. Have a hot chocolate and movie night
4. Bake seasonal treats together
5. Create winter-themed arts and crafts
6. Visit a local museum or indoor play space
7. Go on a nature walk to spot winter wildlife
8. Try a new indoor sport like bowling or rock climbing
9. Set up a family game tournament
10. Make a DIY winter scavenger hunt

What Are the Ten Winter Holidays?

Winter is celebrated around the world with many holidays, each with unique traditions. Some of the most recognized include:

1. Christmas
2. Hanukkah
3. Kwanzaa
4. Winter Solstice/Yule
5. New Year’s Day
6. Boxing Day
7. Saint Nicholas Day
8. Las Posadas
9. Lunar New Year (sometimes falls in late winter)
10. Epiphany

How to Teach the Winter Holidays

Teaching kids about winter holidays can be both educational and fun:

• Storytelling: Share the history behind each holiday in an age-appropriate way.
• Crafts & Decorations: Make DIY ornaments, menorahs, or candles.
• Music & Food: Introduce songs, recipes, and traditional foods from different cultures.
• Interactive Activities: Use games, puzzles, and scavenger hunts themed around each holiday.

What to Do for the Winter Holidays

During the holidays, families can focus on bonding, learning, and giving back:

• Host a family movie night featuring holiday classics
• Volunteer at a local charity or food bank
• Create handmade gifts or cards for friends and family
• Decorate the home with seasonal decorations
• Plan a holiday-themed family game night

What to Do Indoors in the Wintertime

When it’s too cold to play outside, keep kids entertained indoors:

• Indoor obstacle courses
• Baking and cooking activities
• Science experiments with household items
• Puzzle and board game challenges
• DIY arts and crafts projects
• Reading together with hot cocoa

How to Get Kids to Engage in the Winter

Engagement can drop when days are shorter and colder. Try these tips:

• Set daily routines that include creative or active time
• Offer themed challenges or incentives for participation
• Encourage collaborative projects, like building forts or holiday decorations
• Incorporate learning into play, like counting snowflakes or writing letters to Santa

How to Get My Kids Outside This Winter

Getting kids outdoors in winter can be fun with the right approach:

• Dress them in warm, layered clothing
• Schedule short, frequent outdoor breaks instead of long periods
• Make it a game: scavenger hunts, snowball targets, or animal tracking
• Offer rewards for time spent outdoors, like hot drinks or small treats

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Activities to Do in the Snow

Snow provides endless opportunities for outdoor fun:

• Snowball fights
• Sledding and tubing
• Snow angels and snow sculptures
• Ice skating or pond hockey (with safety precautions)
• Winter photography or nature exploration

Why Is the Snow So Fun?

Snow is a natural playground. It’s soft, moldable, and offers new sensory experiences:

• Kids love the tactile feel of snow and the ability to shape it
• Snow adds excitement to outdoor games like sledding and snowball fights
• The winter landscape feels magical and different, sparking creativity and exploration

What to Do With Your Yard This Winter?

Even a small yard can become a winter wonderland:

• Build snow forts or obstacle courses
• Create a bird feeder to attract local wildlife
• Plant winter-friendly shrubs or cover plants for protection
• Use outdoor lighting or decorations to brighten short winter days
• Set up a small skating or sledding area if space allows

Winter doesn’t have to be a season of boredom. With the right mix of indoor and outdoor activities, holiday traditions, and creative engagement, kids can enjoy every chilly moment while learning, exploring, and making memories.

Sources

• 30 Winter Holidays Celebrated Around the World –Traditions – Mission Momplex
• 82 Winter Activities For Kids And Families To Enjoy All Season
• 40 Fun Winter Activities for Kids – Days With Grey