50 Best Winter Activities to Enjoy All Season Long
Tired of the cold weather? Snow problem! ❄️
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The first day of winter means the start of a magical season filled with holiday fun, special times with friends and family, and cozy everything: winter dinners, winter clothing staples, cozy gifts, you name it! But all those chilly days and nights can have a way of causing cabin fever. We can all agree that keeping warm and staying busy during the winter months is necessary to stave off those feelings of boredom and isolation. To help you out, we made a list of the best winter activities to keep you, the kids, and the parents entertained all season long!
Ree and the family make the most of the tough winter on the ranch by eating stick-to-your-ribs comfort food, hosting winter movie marathons, going skiing, and donning warm winter outfits through it all. Some of these finds are inspired by the Drummonds, and others are totally new. Get some sunlight with fun outdoor activities like ice fishing, bonfire-ing, or making snow angels. Other ideas will help you make the most of your indoor time through crafting, whipping up comforting recipes, and generally adopting a slower pace. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, it could be a downright chilly winter—so don't hesitate to break out the snowshoes and board games ASAP! These winter activity ideas might just help you look forward to the months ahead.
Make a Hot Chocolate Bar
Sipping hot cocoa is one of the best ways to cozy up on a cold day! Make it extra fun by creating a hot chocolate bar with all of your favorite toppings, like whipped cream, marshmallows, finely chopped nuts, and more.
Have a Snowball Fight
When there's snow on the ground, it's a great excuse to get outside and get in touch with your inner kid. No matter how old you are, a snowball fight is just good old-fashioned fun!
Make a Wreath
What better way to welcome your holiday guests than with a gorgeous winter wreath? Make it even more special by DIYing one yourself using greenery, pine cones, and sparkly Christmas balls.
Start a Book Club
It's easy to spend the chilliest days of winter in hibernation. Starting a book club will give you a great excuse to get out of the house and spend quality time with friends.
Build a Gingerbread House
A gingerbread house is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Keep things simple by buying a kit, or get creative with your own materials and favorite candies!
Go See a Christmas-Themed Show
'Tis the season to go see a holiday show! Whether you travel to NYC to take in the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular or catch another festive show in your area, it's sure to get you in the holiday spirit.
Host a Fondue Dinner
Everything tastes better when it's dipped in cheese (or chocolate)! This is not only a warm and cozy winter dinner party idea, but a fun one, too.
Do a Polar Bear Plunge
Instead of hiding out from the cold, embrace it by doing a Polar Bear Plunge! Many of these events raise money for charity, so you can feel good knowing it's for fun and a good cause.
Watch a Football Game
Whether it's the Super Bowl or just a good game, gather your family and friends for a viewing party. It's a great excuse to enjoy your favorite game-day foods!
Camp Out in Your Living Room
Even if it's too cold to camp outdoors, you can still enjoy many of the perks from the comfort of your own living room! Roast marshmallows over the fire, put up glow-in-the-dark stars on your walls, and tell spooky stories. So fun!
Go Ice Fishing
If there's a frozen lake or pond near your house, grab some gear and give ice fishing a try! You can make it a social event with warm drinks and comfy camping chairs. Plus, you just might score a fresh catch for dinner!
Make a Scrapbook
The past year has probably brought plenty of new memories and photos to document them. Spend an afternoon working on a cute scrapbook the whole family can enjoy flipping through!
Bake Bread
Imagine slicing into a crackling crust to reveal a warm, steaming, fluffy, bready center. Fresh bread slathered with melty butter is pure bliss, especially on a chilly day.
Take the Family Tubing
Snow tubing is just about as fun as skiing but is far more accessible! Snag some blowup tubes for your crew, and head to a nearby hill for some snowy races.
Make an Official Family Tree
Winter means plenty of hours spent inside. Take advantage of the time indoors and construct a family tree that can be the reference document for future generations. Many websites allow you to do this digitally, but a scrapbook version with pictures makes for a sweet heirloom.
Start a Movie Club
Go into hibernation mode with your friends this year and start a movie club. Select one movie each week and rotate who hosts the viewing. It's low effort, low cost, and super cozy.
Shop at a Winter Market
Plenty of cities and towns host pretty outdoor markets during the winter, where local artisans sell handmade goods and tasty specialty foods. These markets are the perfect places to buy Christmas or valentines day gifts!
Winter Camping
Winter camping is certainly not for the faint of heart—you need some specialty gear and lots of warm clothing. But waking up in a natural winter wonderland makes the extra effort totally worth it.
Start a Game Tournament
Rather than hosting one game night, organize a whole slew of events! Start a tournament of your favorite board and card games and have new teams or competitors face off each week.
Go to a Rock Climbing Gym
If you need an entertaining way to exercise in the winter, join an indoor rock climbing gym. You'll emerge in the spring with crazy toned arms and legs and a super fun new skill.
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