Winter can be quite the polarizing (pun intended) season; some people either love it or hate it. As a summer baby myself, I fall into the latter camp. However in my research in creating this article I discovered there’s a lot of fun winter activities you can do – and if you have children, then this article is right for you!
So, here’s our list of fun family-friendly activities you can do with your kids.
Indoor Activities to do This Winter
When the weather outside is frightful and you’re looking for something so delightful – here’s some of our ideas for indoor activities to do.
Bake Winter-Themed Treats
There’re so many winter-inspired treats you can create, from cakes, sugar cookies, brownies, gingerbread cookies, fudge and so much more!
Use this as an opportunity to introduce your kids (if you haven’t already) to baking. Teach them about the materials to use (such as a measuring bowl, rolling pin, utensils, etc.), how to read and follow baking instructions, as well as educating them on kitchen safety.
You can find websites that offer kid-friendly baking recipes.
Arts and Crafts
There’s plenty of ways to channel your child’s creativity through arts and crafts. Some of my favourites include creating a snowflake – where I would take a piece of paper, fold it, and make small incisions in the paper to eventually reveal a unique shape and design.
You can also decorate pinecones (bonus points if you and your kids find them outdoors) with glitter, pompoms, and pipe cleaners. This can also be an ornament for your home.
While not an extensive list, use this time to brainstorm and ask your kids what they would like to make. It will bring them great joy to know that they’re contributing to the direction of the activity – and to see their final product up on display.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these easy crafts for kids.
Build an Indoor Fort
As a kid I have fond memories of building an indoor fort with my younger sisters.
What we would do is take a blanket and place it on the floor, and position four chairs with their backs facing inward on each corner. We would then take pillows and other materials to build fluffy walls, then use a larger blanket for a roof.
It’s a great way for your children to have their own space to hang out, play video games or even watch movies.
Movie Marathon
Host a movie marathon. Many streaming services will offer Christmas movies for people of all ages to enjoy. Consider assigning each member of the house to present one movie to watch each day.
Go to the Mall
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned mall walk and window shop? Strolling through the mall, soaking in the bustling atmosphere and doing a bit of shopping is a great way to get your steps in and burn off some energy while staying indoors.
Play Board Games
Gather your family and have each member pick their favourite board game. Play through each game until a clear champion emerges! To make it even more exciting, offer fun incentives for the winner, such as a break from chores or the chance to choose dessert after dinner!
Fun Outdoor Winter Activities to do
If you’re looking for something to do outside the home – and if the cold weather doesn’t bother you anyways – here’s some outdoor activities.
Visit a Maple Syrup Farm
Couldn’t get anymore Canadian than visiting a maple syrup farm. If your kids are the curious types, they may be interested in knowing how syrup is made.
Depending on where you go, you may get a chance to gather your own sap from a tree, or simply make your own maple syrup snow candy.
Do a Nature Walk
Who says hiking is exclusive to summer or fall? You can have the same adventures by journeying out during the winter months. You can purchase snowshoes and hike a trail, play a game of eye spy, or put your forensic skills to the test by seeing if you can identify an animal’s paw print.
Our team has also put together a list of ways you can stay active during winter.
DIY Bowling
Did you know that you can create your own makeshift bowling ally in your garage? First fill five or 10 plastic bottles with water, and make sure to leave at least an inch of space from the top (this is to account for the water expending when frozen).
Then fill a few balloons with water. Leave them all outside to freeze. Once frozen, align your water bottles in the same formation as you would see in a bowling ally; take your (now frozen) water balloon and see how many “pins” you can knock down. For young children, ensure they wear gloves when participating in this activity.
Volunteer
Lastly, remember that this can be a challenging season for many people. Consider volunteering at soup kitchens, homeless centres, or simply look around your home for items to donate. It’s a great way to not only teach your children about the importance of giving back, but to help those in need.
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