Hi, Friends!
Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Winter Activities for Kids. I say “Ultimate” because I intend on this being a “living document,” one that I continuously update as new ideas come to mind.
If you happen to live in Evansville, IN I have a post about Winter Activities for Kids with Evansville specific details here.
What were your favorite winter activities as a kid? Mine included a little bit of sledding, some hot chocolate, and snuggling in for a movie on the couch. You can read about the “Perfect Snow Day” here. However, when it wasn’t snowing I enjoyed playing games and reading. I act like this is “big news,” but what else is there to do in the winter? Okay, I’m getting a little snippy! See! Just talking about winter starts to put me in a funk.
If you are like me and struggle with the wintertime blues, check this out. I plan on utilizing these techniques a lot this winter!
Why a Winter Activity Guide for Kids?
Why take the time to create a winter activity guide? Well, I suffer from cabin fever (to put it mildly) and I am already dreading this coming winter. The days are so short and the nights are so long. Everything is cold and gray and miserable.
No. Thank. You.
I know, I shouldn’t borrow trouble, but last winter wasn’t great for my mental health (to say the least) You can read more about that here. All I am trying to do is avoid a repeat of that, if possible. There is a silver lining to the mess of last winter (as there always is if you look hard enough) and that is I have learned a lot about myself. I was forced, essentially, to figure out what makes me happy, sad, annoyed, excited, etc. One of the most important things I learned is that my mood is 10x (dare I even say 100x?) better when I am busy – busy with projects around the house, busy planning an event, or busy having fun with my kids. Downtime isn’t my friend.
With that being said, I thought it would be a good idea to have a list of activities that will keep us (more importantly me) busy and entertained all winter long. So, the Ultimate Guide to Winter Activities for Kids was born! Like I said earlier, I want this to be a helpful resource for all parents. If you happen to know of something that should be added or something that incorrect, please please please let me know! I want to keep this as up-to-date and accurate as possible!
Okay, here we go =)
Winter Activities for those
who feel like getting out:
- Barnes & Noble
Most Barnes & Noble locations offer special events and regular story times all for FREE. Check it out here.
- Bowling
Bowling is all weather fun for the whole family.
- Children’s Museum
Check out your local Children’s Museum. Our local children’s museum offers weekly specials, check and see if yours does the same.
Also, look into family passes (Side note: family passes make GREAT Christmas gifts – find more gift ideas here).
- Christmas Lights
Drive around and look at Christmas lights together.
- Chuck E Cheese
Chuck E Cheese offers an hour of play for $14.99 on Wednesdays. Learn more here.
- Event Center
Check our your local event center. There is usually a section on their website for upcoming special events.
- GattiTown
GattiTown doesn’t offer many specials, at least in our area, but it is a great place to blow off some energy for a special occasion.
- Home Depot
Home Depot offers DIY and Kids Classes for a small fee. check out here to find the Home Depot near you.
- Ice Skating
What is more “winter” than ice skating? Utilize the public skate hours at your local skating arena and have some fun!
- Kids Eat Free
Sometimes just getting out of the house for dinner is all it takes. Check out a complete list of restaurant who offer discounts for kids here.
- Library
Most libraries offer story time hours and other special activities for FREE. Check out your local library website for more information.
- Lowes
Lowes offers a Build and Grow program in select areas. Find out if there is program near you by clicking here.
- Movie Theater
Movie Theater is a great option, but can be a little expensive, especially for a family. We have a local discount Movie Theater that offers $2.00 movies.
- Trampoline Parks
Trampoline parks are a GREAT all weather indoor activity. In our area we have Sky Zone and Elite Air, both of which offer awesome deals for “toddler time” year round.
Check out your local trampoline park to see if they offer any discounts.
- Winter Walk
Go on a walk through the woods. There is such a sense of calm and quiet during the winter.
If you want to amp it up a notch, go on a winter walk at night after it has snowed. So fun and your kids will love it!! Don’t forget your flashlights!
Winter Activities for those
who feel staying in:
- Sledding
One of those activities that takes a lot of prep (and a snow day, obv), but totally worth it once you finally get everyone bundled up, then unbundled to go to the bathroom, then bundled up again.
Check out how to have the Ultimate Snow Day here!
- Build a Tent
Spend a little time helping the kids build a tent in the living room and they will have fun with it for the rest of the day!
- Puzzles
Did anyone else have a grandma who always had a card table in the living room with a half worked puzzle on it, or was that just mine?
Set up a card table in the living room. Each member of the family can stop by and work on it when they have a few minutes.
We have really been enjoying these Family Puzzles. They have different size pieces for the different levels of difficulty all on the same puzzle!
- Family Hide-N-Seek
Hike-N-Seek is a fun game for people of all ages. When your kids are little, traditional hide-n-seek is so much fun! When your kids are a little older, try turning out all the lights and play in the dark. It adds a whole new element of fun and makes it a little more challenging for older kids.
- Make Dinner Together
Make dinner a family affair. Get everyone involved in choosing the menu, going to the grocery, and all the meal prep! Sure, it will take a little bit longer than if you just did everything by yourself, but the kids will think it is so much more fun!!
- Dance Party
“Alexa, play some dance party music!”
Crank up the tunes and dance around the kitchen!
- Board Games
We love a good board game.
Our favorite games for younger kids:
Hi-Ho Cherry-O: https://amzn.to/33zuhue
Blockbeard’s Balancing Boat: https://amzn.to/2OTtAa1
Memory: https://amzn.to/33tRRZh
Hoot Owl Hoot: https://amzn.to/2OvfrAI
Our favorite games for older kids:
Telestrations: https://amzn.to/2XXsXAe
Sequence: https://amzn.to/2R4XcDN
Scattergories: https://amzn.to/37LZI8d
The Logo Game: https://amzn.to/2OvgmBb
- Science Experiment
Find a fun science experiment online (preferably one that uses stuff you already have at your house) and complete the experiment as a family.
One fun thing to do when temperatures are below freezing is to make ice marbles.
When in doubt, make some slime.
- Movie Night
Pop some popcorn, turn out the lights, and watch a movie together.
- Indoor Mini-Golf
This might sound crazy, but creating your own mini-golf golf course inside is so much fun! Use plastic cups as the hole and get creative where you place them.
- Binge a Netflix Series
Who doesn’t enjoy a good Netflix binge?
- Craft Projects
There are so many fun things to do for craft projects depending on the ages of the participants.
Some of our favorites have been making bird feeders, making homemade play dough, and coloring inside of big boxes.
Check out my Pinterest page for a little inspiration.
- Paper Airplane Races
Google “how to make a paper airplane,” have everyone pick their favorite design/model, and have paper airplane races inside.
I hope you find this list helpful! Just because it is (or is going to be) cold and gross outside doesn’t mean we can’t get out and have some fun!
Please let me know if there is a winter activity you and your family loves that isn’t listed here – I’ll definitely get it added!!
Until next time,
Julie
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This is a great list! I take care of my nieces a lot, and sometimes in the winter when we’re stuck inside, we can’t think of anything to do and just watch the Lego Movie again (for the millionth time). These are some great suggestions! I had no idea Home Depot and Lowe’s had activities for kids! Will definitely use some of these next time I’m babysitting. Thanks 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Make sure you check your local store because unfortunately, not all locations offer it. In my area, only Home Depot offers a class. Thanks again!!
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