Oh, What Fun: Must-Try Winter Activity Ideas
Part of this season’s magic is finding joy in the little things. Whether cuddling up with your favorite people or taking up a bold, new hobby, winter is full of opportunities to savor chilly enchantments. Here, we share some inspiration to help you embrace everything the season brings. Looking for fun things to do in winter? Read on to discover the ultimate winter bucket list with tons of winter activity ideas!
Outdoor Winter Activities to Do
Get outside and explore a new world of exciting adventures this winter. Check out these outdoor winter activity ideas.
Look for constellations.
Winter’s long, dark nights and clear skies are spectacular for stargazing. For peak viewing conditions, head far away from city lights. Larger, more dramatic constellations, like Orion, Gemini, Taurus, Monoceros, and Carina, shine brightest, allowing you to admire them in all their splendor.
Do a nature scavenger hunt.
Slow down and sharpen your senses with a nature scavenger hunt. An entertaining and engaging winter activity, head to a local park and search for icicles, animal tracks, pinecones, berries, acorns, and more.
Take a scenic drive.
Not a fan of frigid weather? Don’t worry; getting out of the house and hopping in your car can still do you good. If road conditions are safe, go for a drive and behold the holiday lights, snow-dusted landscapes, and other attractions.
Shovel a neighbor’s driveway.
Whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas or not, snow is inevitable in many regions. After you shovel your driveway and sidewalks, offer to do the same for your neighbors. It’s a random act of kindness that’ll save them time and make their day.
Participate in a polar plunge.
Make a splash for a cause at a polar plunge in your area. At these fundraising events, participants jump into an ice-cold body of water to raise money for charity—and experience cold-plunging’s cool benefits, like improved mood and focus. Doing a freezing dip is also a New Year’s Day tradition in Canada!
Light a bonfire.
Nothing is better than a fire’s crackling warmth when it’s cold outside and you need a winter activity idea. Gather your friends and family for a bonfire, huddle up, roast marshmallows, tell stories, and revel in the blazing beauty and glow.
Try a winter sport.
Break a sweat and have fun with a winter sport. From snowmobiling, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding to snowshoeing, sledding, and tubing, there are endless options to raise your heart rate and body temperature while having a blast.
Indoor Winter Activities to Do
Make the most of the great indoors with these indoor winter bucket list ideas.
Host a fondue dinner.
An alpine culinary tradition, fondue is a hot dish that’s a hit on nippy nights. Melt cheese and wine in a pot and sprinkle with seasonings. Once fully melted and well blended, dunk veggies, fruit, bread, and other foods in the ooey-gooey goodness.
Take a stroll down memory lane.
Something about winter conjures a nostalgic spirit. The holidays are a great time to sit back and reflect on all your cherished memories. Scrapbook or flip through old photos, watch home movies, or call a long-time friend for a trip to a different time and place.
Perfect your chili recipe.
A hearty bowl of chili will warm you from the inside out. Experiment in the kitchen and show off your skills with a sweet-and-spicy Cincinnati chili, bean-less Texas chili, or southwestern chili verde. If you’re confident in your concoction, submit it to a local chili cookoff or host your own.
Start a book club.
Set the ultimate cozy mood by curling up with a book. Grab a winter classic and do a deep dive with fellow readers. Literature lovers will adore The Great Alone, young adults will enjoy The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and little ones will discover delight in The Snowy Day.
RELATED: How to Start a Book Club
Write a New Year’s bucket list.
We’ll say it: New Year’s bucket lists are superior to New Year's resolutions. Get comfy, reflect on everything you’ve done in the past year, and think about all that you want to achieve in the upcoming one. Bid farewell to Auld Lang Syne by inviting your family and friends to make their own lists and check items off as you go.
Indulge in a themed movie marathon.
Why brave the cold when you can escape to another world with a movie? Pick a theme, pop some popcorn, and watch as many merry movies as you can. There’s no shortage of Harry Potter, holiday rom-coms, or Oscar-nominated feature flicks.
Have a pajama day.
Deck the family out in matching PJs and have a pajama party. Make a yummy breakfast and have a pajama talent show or bedhead contest—it’s an easy way to turn a regular day into an unforgettable one.
Creative Winter Activities to Do
Brighten up your day by letting your creativity shine with these creative winter activity ideas for kids.
Try candle making.
Scent is one of the simplest ways to invite a seasonal vibe into your home. Visit a craft store and buy wax flakes, wicks, fragrance oil (we like cinnamon, pine, and peppermint!), and a candle container. Heat your wax to 185°F over a double boiler, stir in your scented oil, cool to 125°F, and pour the mixture into your container with a stabilized wick. Allow the candle to cure before lighting it, and appreciate the ambiance from this winter bucket list idea.
Build bird feeders.
If you live in a warmer climate, there will be an influx of birds to scout during winter. However, plenty stick around colder areas—and bare branches make them easier to spot. Coat a pinecone with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed, hang it outside a window, and watch your feathered friends stop by for a tasty treat.
Arrange winter florals.
Despite the dropping temperatures, countless florals flourish in the winter. Arrange a bouquet with winter flowers that will add color and life, like:
- Roses
- Lilies
- Carnations
- Daises
DIY snow globes.
Get crafty and capture the winter’s wonder with a homemade snow globe. Find a clear, lidded glass jar, adhere a figurine on the underside of the lid, fill your jar with distilled water and a drop of glycerin, dump in some glitter, and screw on the top. Flip over your snow globe, give it a shake, and treasure the twinkling scene for years to come.
Take up an old-school hobby.
Wanting a fun thing to do during winter? Ditch the screens and pick up a hands-on, old-school hobby. Stringing beaded bracelets, knitting a scarf, embroidering a design, canning vegetables, making mosaics, and penning calligraphy will keep your hands busy and your mind at ease.
Create a winter playlist.
Make a seasonal soundtrack with an expertly curated playlist. Remember to crank up the volume, sing along, and include frosty favorites like “Let it Go,” “Sweater Weather,” and “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” Or lift your spirits with summer hits like “Island in the Sun,” “Good Vibrations,” or “Chicken Fried.”
Make handmade holiday cards.
Display your inner artist and show you care by making handmade holiday cards. Draw characters, paint landscapes, add stickers and glitter, and write a note from the heart. Send your greetings to loved ones, nursing home residents, service members, or local hospital patients; it’s sure to make them feel special.
Add to Your Winter Bucket List With These Winter Vacation Spots!
Looking for more winter activity ideas? We’ve curated a list of winter vacation ideas just for you. From New York City to New England’s quaint countryside, you’ll find them all in our article: Winter Wanderlust: Top Vacation Spots for the Ultimate Seasonal Vacation.