Winter Activities For Kids

As winter’s chill sets in, keeping kids engaged without screens can feel like a tall order. But winter days offer a perfect chance to unplug and dive into creative, hands-on fun that celebrates the season. With these low-cost, screen-free activities, you’ll keep cabin fever at bay and make the most of winter’s magic — indoors and out.

1. Creative Winter Art Projects

Winter is an ideal time for kids to channel their inner artist with cozy, indoor art projects that spark creativity. These projects can be simple and use everyday household items.

• Nature Collages: Go on a winter walk to gather items like pinecones, evergreen branches, and pebbles. Back at home, kids can arrange their finds into unique collages.
• Melted Crayon Art: Use old crayons and place them on a canvas or thick paper. Using a hairdryer, melt the crayons to create a colorful, abstract piece.
• Puffy Paint Snowmen: Make puffy paint by mixing equal parts shaving cream and white glue. Kids can use this mixture to create three-dimensional snowmen or winter scenes on paper.

2. Winter Wonderland Science Experiments

Winter is a great time to bring science concepts to life with hands-on experiments. These simple experiments spark curiosity and encourage kids to engage with the natural winter world.

• Make Homemade Ice Cream: Make ice cream using a simple bag method. Combine milk, sugar, and vanilla in a small bag, then place that bag inside a larger bag filled with ice and salt. Shake for about 10 minutes, and enjoy your homemade ice cream!
• Oobleck Snow: Create a winter-themed version of Oobleck (a non-Newtonian fluid) using cornstarch and water. Kids can explore how it behaves like a solid when pressure is applied and a liquid when it’s not.
• Frozen Bubbles Experiment: On a cold day, blow bubbles outside and see if they freeze before they pop. Kids can observe the patterns and formations in the frozen bubbles.

3. Cozy Kitchen Adventures

Few things are as comforting as creating something warm and delicious in the kitchen. These simple, kid-friendly recipes are great for family bonding and don’t require any fancy ingredients.

• DIY Hot Chocolate Bar: Set up a hot chocolate station with marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and chocolate chips. Let kids customize their cups and cozy up with their creations.
• Bake Bread Together: Try making a simple bread recipe together. Kneading the dough is a fun, hands-on way for kids to learn about cooking, and the smell of fresh-baked bread is hard to beat.
• Homemade Popcorn: Air-pop some popcorn and let kids choose their seasonings — cinnamon sugar, parmesan cheese, or even a dash of salt. 

4. Outdoor Winter Adventures

Sometimes, the best way to beat the winter blues is to embrace the cold. These outdoor winter activities for kids make the most of the season without a screen in sight.

• Ice Skating: Whether it’s a nearby rink or a frozen pond, ice skating is a classic winter activity that encourages kids to get moving while building balance and coordination.
• Star Gazing on Cold Nights: On clear winter nights, bundle up and go outside to stargaze. The crisp winter air often means clearer skies for observing constellations.
• Winter Scavenger Hunt: Write a list of winter items (such as pine cones, red berries, animal tracks, etc.) and see how many your kids can find outside. This activity is great for observation skills and staying active.

5. Indoor Games and Quiet Play

Sometimes, a cozy day indoors is the perfect way to spend a winter afternoon. Try these fun, calming activities that require minimal materials and encourage focus and creativity.

• Puzzle Building: Choose a winter-themed puzzle and work together as a family to complete it. For younger kids, try simpler, chunky puzzles.
• Board Games and Card Games: Classic board games are a great way for families to bond. Games like Uno, Candyland, or Sushi Go are simple yet engaging for kids of all ages.
• Yoga and Stretching: Introduce kids to simple yoga poses and stretching exercises. This can be a calming activity that helps with flexibility and focus.

Embrace the Season with Simple Winter Fun

Winter doesn’t have to mean extra screen time or expensive outings. With just a bit of creativity, you can turn the season into a playground of learning, art, and outdoor adventure that kids will remember long after the snow melts. So grab a cozy blanket, a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy these screen-free winter days filled with fun, creativity, and family connection. 

For more ideas on screen-free activities and enjoyable winter family adventures, be sure to check out our other articles that are designed to inspire quality time together and make the most of the season!

What are your favorite winter activities for kids? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below.

Author Jackie Baucom

Jackie is a Gabb staff writer. She is the mother of four children and is passionate about keeping kids safe, happy, loved, and thriving. She has a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Utah.