I started this post out as 7 Awesome Kids Activities to Beat the Winter Blues, but I've added more! So when you see more than 7 awesome kids winter activities, just think of it as a big, giant, bonus!
What kids' winter activities do you enjoy?
Keep boredom in check and the giggles going strong!
Raise your hand if your kids start bouncing off the walls in the middle of winter. 🙋♀️ Oh, just mine?
Let’s be honest—winter can feel loooong, especially when the temperature dips below “let’s go outside” levels. But don’t worry! With a little creativity and some warm clothing (and maybe a cup of hot cocoa) winter can be packed with magical memories and learning fun. These kid-approved activities will help beat the winter blues and bring the whole family together—no snowplow required.
1. Snow Day Shenanigans: Sledding, Snowmen, and Snow Art
Got snow? Great! Bundle up the crew like mini marshmallows and head outside. Sledding is a classic for a reason, it’s pure joy on a hill. Whether you're flying down your neighborhood slope or venturing to a local mountain, it's an instant winter win.
No sled? Blow-up snow tubes or even a sturdy plastic storage bin lid will do in a pinch (yes, I’ve tried it).
Too cold or too flat for sledding?
- Build a snow fort or snowman with a twist—let the kids give them silly names and personalities.
- Try snow painting: Fill spray bottles with water and food coloring and let the kids "paint" the yard.
- Or make it a science + fitness challenge: create an animal track obstacle course and hop like a snowshoe hare through the yard.
Bonus points: they’ll sleep so well afterward. 😴
2. Nature Explorers: Winter Edition
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean nature’s off-limits! Winter is magical when you slow down and notice the details.
Try this:
- Visit a local nature center for winter scavenger hunts or animal tracking.
- Go on a frosty hike, bring a magnifying glass to examine icy leaves and snowy animal prints.
- Create a time capsule with treasures you find along the trail (open it when summer hits!).
Not near a nature trail? Head to the zoo or local park, many have special winter events with fewer crowds and more up-close animal encounters.
And yes, reward yourself with hot chocolate when you get home. That’s a rule.
3. Your Local Library: The Hidden Gem of Winter
Libraries these days? Not just for shushing and checking out chapter books. Ours is basically a free indoor playground of awesome.
Most libraries offer:
- Story times for all ages
- Craft sessions (and they clean up—hallelujah 🙌)
- LEGO clubs
- Board games and puzzles
- STEM and coding challenges
- Dungeons & Dragons (seriously)
- Art classes, mom groups, and more
It’s cozy, it’s free, and they do the cleanup. Total win. (I love the chapter books too!)
4. Thank You Cards with a Twist
Christmas is over, and your house is now 47% toys. Let’s channel that excitement into gratitude.
Set up a mini thank-you card station:
- Paper, glue, stickers, sparkly pens, whatever you've got.
- Help younger kids with wording, or print this free postcard-style template to make it even easier.
- Make it a mini writing lesson: teach them how to address an envelope and why stamps aren’t the same as stickers.
Not doing Christmas gifts? No problem. Try “Why I Appreciate You” cards for friends, teachers, or grandparents. They’re guaranteed to make someone’s day.
5. Ice Skating (a.k.a. Winter's Answer to Roller Rinks)
Lace up those skates and head to your local rink—indoor or outdoor, they’re all kinds of winter fun.
Most rinks offer:
- Family skate times
- Helmet and skate rentals
- "Training buckets" for new skaters
- Hot cocoa stands and twinkle lights (yes please!)
Word of caution: unless you’re auditioning for Disney on Ice, maybe skip the triple axel. I’ve seen too many heroic dads wipe out attempting Olympic-worthy spins.
6. Origami: Zen Moments with Paper
Stuck inside with cranky kids? Enter: Origami.
Grab some colorful paper (or recycle that holiday wrapping paper) and queue up a YouTube tutorial like this easy fox or my son's favorite origami frog. You can even sneak in some geometry and fine motor skills—win-win.
Kids love folding sharks, frogs, and flowers, and they’ll beam with pride showing off their paper zoo. Display them on a bookshelf or create an art gallery on the fridge!
7. Culture Day: Around the World from Your Kitchen Table
Beat the blahs with a cultural adventure—no passport required!
Pick a country and dive in:
- Look it up on a map
- Learn a few greetings in the native language
- Read about traditions, school days, or music
- Make a traditional dish (yes, even picky eaters will try it if they help cook it!)
Don't have a restaurant nearby? That’s okay—declare it “French Night,” cook crêpes, and listen to Edith Piaf on Spotify. Or pick Japan, roll some sushi (or just rice balls), and fold origami cranes.
It’s hands-on learning, delicious, and you just might start a new tradition.
8. Puzzle Power: Jigsaw, Logic & DIY Brain Teasers
Puzzles are a wintertime staple—and not just because they keep kids (and adults!) busy for hours. They’re also amazingfor developing problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and teamwork skills.
Here are a few fun ways to puzzle your way through a snowy afternoon:
🧩 Family jigsaw puzzle – Choose a 500+ piece puzzle (or bigger if your kids are older) and make it a week-long evening tradition with snacks and music. Bonus: keeps little hands off screens!
🧠 Logic puzzles and riddles – Grab printable brain teasers online or pick up a puzzle book from the library. Challenge each other and laugh at the wild guesses along the way.
🎨 DIY puzzles – Have your kids draw or paint a picture on cardstock, then cut it into puzzle pieces. Swap and try to reassemble each other’s artwork!
If your kids enjoy competition, turn puzzle-solving into a game: Set a timer and see who can complete the most puzzle pieces in 10 minutes. Loser has to make the hot chocolate. (Just kidding... sort of.)
9. Kitchen Chemistry & Cozy Science Experiments
Science doesn’t stop when it snows—in fact, winter is the perfect time to get curious and creative indoors. There are tons of simple, low-mess experiments that double as fun afternoon activities and learning opportunities.
Try one of these snowy-day science favorites:
- Snow volcano – Head outside with baking soda, vinegar, food coloring, and a mound of snow. Build your own “volcano” and let the kids erupt it with bubbly lava.
- Magic milk fireworks – Pour milk into a shallow dish, add drops of food coloring, then swirl in dish soap on a cotton swab. Watch the fireworks happen!
- Freeze test – Take various small containers (plastic, glass, silicone), fill them with water or juice, and set them outside. Predict which will freeze first and compare results the next morning.
For older kids, turn it into a mini STEM lesson. Ask questions like:
🔍 What would happen if we added salt?
🔍 Does sugar make it freeze faster or slower?
🔍 How does insulation work in cold weather?
Learning and entertainment = teacher mom win.
10. Movie Marathon & Blanket Fort Bonanza
Some winter days just scream cozy up and chill. For those frigid afternoons when no one wants to move off the couch (and you’ve already had three cups of coffee), cue the blanket fort and movie magic.
Here’s how to take it up a notch:
🎬 Pick a theme – Disney Princesses, space adventures, winter-themed movies, animal rescues... let the kids vote or rotate turns.
🛋 Build a mega fort – Use couch cushions, sheets, fairy lights, and a “no adults allowed unless invited” sign.
🍿 DIY concession stand – Hand out printable “movie tickets,” make popcorn in paper bags, and offer fruit kabobs or sugar-free hot cocoa in reusable cups.
Some of our favorite winter family movies:
- Happy Feet
- Frozen (obviously)
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Paddington
- The Snowy Day (short and sweet for little ones)
Mix it with story time and let the kids act out scenes or create their own sequel with sock puppets after the movie.
Bonus Ideas + Next Steps:
Looking for more winter inspiration? Keep the fun going with:
- Winter-themed crafts
- Family board game nights
- Indoor scavenger hunts
- Building pillow forts and reading winter books
Wrap-Up: Winter Fun is What You Make It
Whether you're adventuring through snowy trails, crafting thank-you cards with glitter explosions, or declaring a blanket fort kingdom in your living room, winter is full of creative ways to connect, laugh, and learn as a family.
Instead of fighting cabin fever, lean into it with these ideas:
- Get outside when you can
- Explore your community’s hidden gems
- Sprinkle in crafts, stories, science, and silly fun
- Let kids help plan the day’s activities—they’ll be more invested (and less whiny 🙃)
Most importantly, keep it simple. The goal isn’t to schedule every second—it’s to enjoy the moment, create memories, and maybe sneak in a little learning along the way.
Let’s Embrace Winter Like Pros
Winter doesn’t have to be all cabin fever and complaints. With a bit of planning (and maybe some glitter glue), you can turn gray days into family memories full of joy, learning, and connection.
So go ahead—grab your mittens, fire up the slow cooker, and let the winter adventures begin!
ALSO - Warm Bellies, Happy Kids: Kid-Friendly Low Carb Winter Recipes
After a full day of sledding, science experiments, or building an epic blanket fort, the last thing anyone wants is a kitchen meltdown at 5:00 p.m. Enter: cozy low carb recipes that warm you up from the inside out—and get a thumbs-up from the kids!
Whether you’re low carb for health reasons or simply want to cut the sugar and keep bellies full of real food, these recipes from ExplorerMomma.com are family-tested and kid-approved.
🥣 Keto Broccoli Cheese Soup – Rich, cheesy, and perfect for dipping with low carb crackers or grilled cheese on keto bread. A sneaky way to get in some veggies, too!
🧁 Keto Pumpkin Muffins – These spiced treats make an amazing breakfast or after-school snack. Bonus: they freeze beautifully!
🥥 Tembleque (Coconut Pudding) – This Puerto Rican-inspired dessert is dairy-free, creamy, and lightly sweet—a fun way to introduce new flavors and culture! (Recipe here coming soon!)
🍓 Strawberry Lemonade Gummies – Packed with collagen and real fruit flavor, these homemade gummies are fun to make and eat (great for little kitchen helpers!).
🧁 Explore more sweet and savory options!
Stock your winter with these feel-good meals and treats, and you'll be ready to fuel all your indoor adventures and snow day fun!
More Kids' Winter Activities:
Check out more fun activities in our recent blog post. Click here to read all about it!
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