Winter Activities for Toddlers and Kids: Our Top 40 Ideas to Help You Embrace the Season
Whether or not you love the cold weather, it’s hard to deny that winter is a magical time of year. This is especially true if you have little ones who are old enough to enjoy the season. From building a snowman to baking holiday treats, there is no shortage of fun ways to pass the time as the temperatures start to drop. If you’re looking for a little inspiration, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of 40 winter activities for toddlers and kids we think both you and your littles will enjoy. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors or settle in for a cozy afternoon of crafts and hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone on this list. Embrace this beautiful time of year while you can because time flies when you’re having fun.
Table of Contents
Top 40 Winter Activities for Toddlers and Kids: From Cozy Indoor Games to Exciting Outdoor Fun
Outdoor Activities
Let’s start our list with a few of our favorite outdoor winter activities for kids. Bundle up in your coziest clothes and get some fresh air! -.
- Build a snowman. Nothing says winter like building a snowman. Teach your little ones how and then head indoors to watch Frosty the Snowman to finish off the day.
- Go snowshoeing. If your little ones are old enough, snowshoeing is an amazing way to get a little physical activity in during the winter months.
- Try out cross-country skiing. Cross-country skiing is another great option to get the whole family moving during the colder months.
- Build a fort. If you’ve mastered the art of the snowman with your family, move on to making forts with your little ones.
- Try your hand at ice skating. Whether you want to enroll in lessons or head to your local outdoor rink, teaching your children to ice skate is a great way to embrace the winter season.
- Host a snowball target competition. See who has the best aim with a snowball target competition! Hula hoops make perfect affordable targets that are easy to hang on trees.
- Go on a scavenger hunt. Set up a scavenger hunt in the snow, you’ll have no shortage of hiding places for the items on your list.
- Make snow angels. If you’re looking for winter activities for toddlers, snow angels are a great option. This quick and easy activity works well for younger kids who are just getting used to playing in the snow.
- Get creative with some snow spray painting. All you need is a little food dye, some spray bottles, and a little imagination for this fun outdoor craft.
- Go dog sledding. If dog sledding is accessible, it makes for a memorable experience for the animal lover in your family.
- Make ice snow ornaments. If it’s below freezing outside (and it looks like it will stay that way) this is a great activity for the whole family. There are plenty of different ways to tackle it and they’re all quick, simple, and easy to clean up.
- Make Swedish snowball lanterns. Place a tealight in the center of a snowball pyramid to create a beautiful outdoor lantern you’ll enjoy as much as your children.
- Go on a winter hike. Who says you can’t enjoy a beautiful nature hike during the colder months? Suit up, head out, and embrace the beauty of winter.
- Build a snow volcano. All you need for this cool volcano activity is some snow, baking soda, dish soap, and warm water.
- Make frozen bubbles. When you think of winter activities for kids, bubbles may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But, winter is actually a great time to enjoy a different kind of bubble. When the temperatures fall below freezing head outside to make some magical frozen bubbles with your kids.
- Search for animal tracks. Head out after a fresh snowfall and see if you can identify any animal tracks in your backyards.
- Go snow tubing. This fun and fast-paced activity is perfect for adventurous little ones.
Arts & Crafts
Once you’re done playing outside, head indoors for some arts and crafts. Here’s a list of some of our favorite indoor winter activities for kids:
- Make snowflakes. If you’re looking for winter art projects for preschoolers, making paper snowflakes is a great option. You can even hang up your child’s creations as winter decorations.
- Create some watercolor snowmen. No good packing snow outside? No problem. Trace the outline of a snowman on a large piece of paper and let your child decorate their snowman with watercolor paint.
- Build Your Own Menorah. There are lots of great ways to build your own menorah with construction paper. Find an option that works for your child’s age and display the handmade Menorah proudly during Hanukkah.
- Make an ornament for your tree. Before you decorate your tree, help your little one create a few handmade ornaments. They’ll feel proud for contributing to the holiday decorations and excited to hang their creation on the tree.
- Build paper penguins. Paper penguins are easy to make using the leftover cardboard from your toilet paper rolls. Collect a few and then set up a crafts day where your kids can paint, decorate, and transform them into adorable penguins.
- Work on a puzzle together. There’s nothing cozier than working on a puzzle as the snow falls outside. Pick a winter-themed design and enjoy this activity with your whole family.
- Make a winter solstice lantern. All you need for this craft is a mason jar, a candle, and some supplies to decorate your lantern.
- Knit a scarf. If you’re looking for winter activities for kids who are a little bit older, knitting is a great option. A scarf is an easy pattern for beginners.
- Decorate your space. You might be spending a little more time indoors during the winter months, so make your space extra cozy. Lay down a soft rug and play mat, get some smart storage to stay organized, and download some of our free printable artwork to frame and hang.
Winter Baking and Cooking
- Bake Christmas cookies. Pull out an old family recipe and teach your little one how to bake some holiday favorites.
- Make snowman smoothies. Whip up a banana smoothie and serve it in a clear container with a snowman face drawn on for a fun and healthy treat your little one will love.
- Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Make a healthy version of this holiday favorite with coconut milk, a tablespoon of cacao, and a few drops of vanilla.
- Create marshmallow penguins. All you need are marshmallows, melted chocolate, candy eyes, and a handful of yellow and orange smarties to create these adorable treats.
- Try out maple syrup snow candy. Want to try creating a treat outdoors? Make some maple syrup candy on a cold and snowy day.
Festive Fun
With so many different holidays celebrated all over the world during the winter months, we thought we’d also include a few ways to incorporate some festive fun into your winter family activities. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Watch a holiday movie. Now is a wonderful time to introduce your little ones to the holiday classics. Wait for a snowy day, make some hot chocolate, and cozy in for a viewing of Home Alone or The Grinch.
- Spin the dreidel. If you celebrate Hanukkah, teach your children how to play dreidel and, if they’re old enough, share the history of the dreidel with them.
- Weave a Kwanzaa Mkeka Mat. If you celebrate Kwanzaa or want to create a gift for someone who does, try your hand at weaving a Kwanzaa Mkeka Mat.
- Go caroling. If your children are musically inclined, gather a group and head out caroling to spread a little holiday cheer.
- Write a letter to Santa. Find out what’s going on at the North Pole by writing a letter to Santa.
- Donate your time. Find a cause that your family is inspired by and take a little time to give back this holiday season.
- Visit a Christmas tree farm. Get your kids involved in picking out the Christmas tree for your home.
- Decorate the tree. Once you have the perfect tree set up, pick a time to decorate it together as a family. Put on some holiday music, pour a cup of hot chocolate, and take a few photos to remember this special moment.
- Teach your little one about holiday celebrations around the world. The holidays are a great time to teach your little one about different traditions and ways to celebrate the holiday season all over the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re finding your little ones are struggling with boredom during the colder months, find ways to embrace the season. With proper outerwear and a sense of adventure, you and your children can enjoy the great outdoors all year round. There are plenty of options for winter activities for kids. Whether you build a snowman or go for a hike, fresh air, and physical activity will counteract the winter boredom and blues.
When it comes to winter activities for kids, many parents wonder if it’s too cold to send their children out to play when the temperatures begin to drop. The answer depends on a few different factors like your child’s age and how they’re dressed. However, a good rule of thumb is to avoid taking your children outside to play if the temperature falls below temperatures or wind chills of -15° Fahrenheit. If you and your children are headed out in cold temperatures, remember to wear warm layers, insulated boots, cozy hats, and mittens or gloves. If any clothing becomes wet, remove it quickly and remember to check in regularly with your children to make sure they’re comfortable. Finally, be sure to take breaks indoors when needed to warm up.
The best way to make winter more fun is to embrace all that the season has to offer, even if you’re not a fan of the cold weather. Embracing the season with your kids will look a little different for everyone. For some, maybe it means bundling up, getting outdoors, and enjoying some classic winter activities like ice skating and tobogganing. Others might prefer to cozy up inside, bake some festive treats, play a board game, or watch a holiday movie. Whatever winter family activities you choose, remember to make the most of this beautiful season and all it has to offer.
As long as your little one is properly dressed in warm, breathable layers and the temperature is above -15° Fahrenheit they should be able to safely enjoy time outdoors during the winter for about 30 minutes at a time.
In many Northern European countries, babies nap outside in the winter and there is some evidence that suggests cold air is beneficial for children’s health. As always, it is best to confer with your pediatrician to determine what is right for your child.
