18 Winter Activities for Kids | Indoor & Outdoor
Winter is here and with it comes the cooler weather. Here we have put together a list of indoor and outdoor winter activities for kids to keep them entertained.
You can find some indoor winter activities for when it is too rainy or windy, but also some outdoor winter activities that you can do if you rug up. These activities for winter are great for toddlers, pre-schoolers and older kids too.
Winter Activities for Kids
A list of kids activities for winter to keep you entertained and having fun. Find below:
- Indoor Winter Activities for Kids
- Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Skip to each section or scroll along to see them all!
Indoor Winter Activities for Kids
For the days when it is too windy or too wet, here are some indoor winter activities for kids they will love.
1. Make Paper Snow Flakes
This is one of our all time favourite kids activities for winter. If you don’t live near the snow, then bring the snow theme to you.
These paper snow flakes are super easy to make, and look fantastic. If you can make a few of them, stick them to the ceiling and you have a winter wonderland. Check out this tutorial below and more indoor activities for winter below.
2. Create Snowmen with Playdough
Playdough is a great kids activity in winter or all year round. Perfect because it is so versatile. Check out our easy playdough recipe which has lots of variations for colours and textures etc.
Create your batch and start making snowmen with playdough. If it isn’t too windy outside head out to find some sticks and leaves to add to the creation. This is a great creative indoor activity to get the imaginations going.
3. Make a Nature Craft
This is the perfect winter activity for kids with a mix of indoor and outdoor. Get your winter jackets on and head out on a winter walk outside to collect some leaves, flowers, bark, or any other bits and pieces you can find outside.
Once you have it all, you can create your own winter art project by sticking them all on. You can find the template for this tree here.
4. Cook a winter meal or desert
There’s nothing better than a nice hot meal or desert and cooking is so much fun with kids. Make a warm winter soup, or even some hot fruit muffins or cake. Cooking is always a great indoor winter activity for all ages and is great for family bonding. Plus you get to eat what you make too, win win!
5. Try to create some winter origami
Origami is another great indoor winter activity for kids and there are so many thing you can create. Check out list of origami for kids videos and give it a try. There are plenty of creations for all ages and abilities. It gets kids minds going to see how many things they can create.
6. Have a game night
Game nights are always a great winter activity for kids and families. No matter what age the kids are there are so many games you can play. Check out our list of fun board games for kids for some ideas or our post on FAMILY GAMES. If you have a pack of cards there are tones of games you can play that will last all night.
7. Camp out in the lounge
Nothing says winter like a camp out in the lounge with all your blankets and pillows. Make a movie night out of it, prepare some snacks and watch a family movie, read some books together or even play some board games.
8. Make a fun hot chocolate with marshmallows
Create your own fun hot chocolates with the kids. They can be simple hot chocolates with cocoa and milk. But if you want to be creative then you can melt some chocolate and butter in a pot and add some milk until you get the consistency you want, usually a little thicker than your traditional hot chocolate. Then once you have poured it into your mugs, add whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles.
9. Head to your nearest Museum or Play Centre
If you don’t want to stay at home, there are lots of different winter activities for kids you can do indoors depending on where you live. For example head to your nearest playcentre or indoor climbing to let the kids burn off some steam. Check out your local museum or the Aquarium. If you are in Melbourne check out our list: Indoor Activities in Melbourne.
Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids
Just because it is winter it doesn’t mean the outdoors is off limits. The fresh air is great for kids and as long as they are rugged up and dressed for the cold, winter can be lots of fun.
In the Nordic countries, they really embrace the winter time, kids even nap outside because of the benefits of the fresh air! So, what are you waiting for. Get the kids jackets, beanies, and gumboots out and head outdoors with these fun outdoor winter activities for kids.
10. Go for a winter walk
Winter walks can be surprisingly beautiful. Seeing the same places in a different way with the trees with their leaves falling off makes seeing the places a totally diverse experience.
Get all rugged up with your winter jackets and beanies and head out for a forest walk. Bring a picnic or find a nice café or restaurant with a fireplace nearby for lunch.
11. Jump in Puddles
One of the best things to do in winter for kids is to go jump in puddles. While parents may cringe at the thought of the mess, the kids really love it, and really there isn’t too much to clean up afterwards.
If you put on their gumboots and a rainproof jacket, they should be able to stay fairly dry and warm. The looks on their faces will be worth it.
12. Go Ice Skating
One of the best outdoor winter activities for kids to do outdoors is ice skating. It may seem scary at first if you have never tried it, however many places now have skating aids for kids and beginners to help you. One person rides on and the other pushes, it’s perfect!
13. Make a Bird Feeder
A bird feeder is such a fun outdoor winter activity for kids and so rewarding too. You can create a bird feeder easily with things you already have at home and hang it up in your yard. Check out this tutorial below, the kids will love it.
14. Stargaze
In winter the sun usually sets earlier, so it is a great opportunity to get out and stargaze. Even if you don’t have a telescope to look up close, you can simply bring some blankets and pillows out in the yard, either on your trampoline if you have one, or even on the grass if it isn’t wet. Rug up and stargaze, look for shooting stars, you’ll be surprised at how relaxing it is.
15. Attend a winter event
Wherever you live, there are bound to be winter events on nearby. Whether it is Christmas in July, or fun events on the ice. For example we have lots of Winter events in Melbourne or nearby including the Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill, or the Winter Glow, they are always great fun.
16. Roast some marshmallows
If you have a fireplace in the house or firepit in the yard then raosing marshmallows is a great winter activity for kids and parents. Not only does it create family bonding time and the opportunity to spend time together, but it is also a great treat too.
Winter Activities for Kids
Hopefully these winter activities for kids have given you some inspiration and ideas of activities to do with your kids in winter. Whether you are searching for indoor winter activities for kids, or prefer the outdoor winter activities for kids, this list should give you some inspiration! Let us know if you have any others. Read next:
Make sure to follow Mum’s Little Explorers on Facebook for more Melbourne events.
