50 Fun Winter Activity Ideas: Celebrate The Chill With Things To Do Indoors And Outdoors
What are some fun winter activity ideas that banish the long gloomy mood of this cold season?
I’m not a fan of cold temperatures, despite having lived in Canada for all of my 50 years. However, when the chilly temps arrive and there’s snow on the ground, you must celebrate the season, otherwise, you may not be considered “Canadian”. Wherever you are that’s cold at this time of the year, I have a list of 50 fun winter activity ideas for your “must-do” list to make the most of the season.
As the winter can be a very depressing time of the year for many, I’ve made sure to include only fun winter activities. It doesn’t matter if you’re single, have kids or are planning a romantic winter date… I’ve made sure to add cool and unusual things to delight you.
If you really hate the season, I hope these additional ideas make winter bearable.
Whatever inspires you on this list, I hope you have a good time this winter and that your time is spent joyfully.
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Over 50 Winter Activity Ideas For Your To-Do List
When you delve into my recommended fun winter activities, write down a list of things you want to experience this season.
While it may seem like winter will last forever, before you know it it will be Spring. So, if you’re a person who likes to plan things, create a to-do list of your outdoor winter activities and indoor winter activities!
25 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities
This is a blend of some of my favourite outdoor winter activities and those that are popular. Many are easy to do with kids or are perfect romantic date ideas.
- Hiking after a snowfall
- Snowshoeing
- Making a snowman
- Ice skating at an outdoor rink
- Visiting frozen waterfalls – like Tiffany Falls near Hamilton, Ontario
- Cross country skiing
- Downhill skiing
- Blowing bubbles (they freeze!)
- Maple syrup festivals (usually late February/March in North America)
- Ice fishing
- A walk with hot chocolate
- Making snow angels
- Snow fort or igloo building
- Snowball fight (be careful with this one)
- Sledding
- Sleigh ride
- Winter bird watching (and feeding – think chickadees)
- Winter scavenger hunt
- Snow bowling (frozen water bottles as pins and snowballs as bowling balls)
- Ice candle making (place water in a small bucket and place a candle or LED light halfway, freeze and voila – ice lantern!)
- Snow sculpting contest
- Winter hot tub date
- Stargazing in the snow
- Decorating backyard with lights for nighttime glow
- Bonfire and hot cocoa
TIP: Want a romantic indoor winter activity idea that’s perfect for a date? Consider this sequence of activities: create a classic cocktail, make a comforting dinner, do a movie or TV show marathon and “snuggle”.
| RELATED: 5 Outdoor Date Ideas For Valentine’s Day
25 Fun And Cozy Indoor Winter Activities
When the chilly temperatures and perhaps a snowstorm are keeping you indoors, here are some fun indoor winter activities to enjoy.
- Baking: cookies, chocolate chip banana cake, carrot cake – think comfort foods
- Enjoying a do-nothing day, lounging in bed or on the sofa
- Sitting by a fireplace and enjoying your favourite hobby
- Mastering the art of hygge
- Knitting or crocheting
- Doing something artistic: drawing, painting or simply colouring
- Starting up a new hobby
- Planning and dreaming: using Pinterest to create a vision board
- Snuggling up to watch a movie series marathon
- Listening to music, watching videos
- Karaoke
- Make your favourite comfort foods
- Play card games or board games.
- Create an indoor fort and do indoor camping
- Indoor scavenger hunt – or play hot and cold
- Recreate a spa experience: practice some winter self-care
- Do a jigsaw puzzle
- DIY Hot Chocolate Bar
- Have a dance party night
- Play old video games
- Create crafts
- Create a scrapbook of fun memories
- Begin a journal
- Make scented candles
- Have an indoor picnic
- Take a long nap
Tip: Consider using a weighted blanket for your nap. My favourites are from Zonli, which uses quality materials such as bamboo to create cozy, smooth blankets that are perfect for winter months.
Celebrate Winter: Avoid Misery
You may have heard of Blue Monday – the saddest day of the year which falls on the third Monday in January. It was part of a gimmick by a UK travel agency. However, it does shine a light on the effects of potentially dreary, overcast winter days that feel like they drag on.
This list of fun winter activities will give you a starting point for changing your mindset and feeling less gloomy.
Whether you try some indoor winter activities or outdoor winter activities, I hope you do something that helps the season be a bit cheerier.
Need more ideas? I’ve got a list of things to do during a winter snowstorm that might appeal to you!
QUESTION: Which of these winter activity ideas do you like best?
I’m with you! I still lament that my parents immigrated from a WARM country to a cold one! haha. Love these ideas and definitely time to embrace the cold weather! Thanks for sharing!
Such a fun post! I love the indoor winter activity ideas especially. so handy to have when it gets cold.
Absolutely love this list of winter activities to do during the season. Baking is my dear among all.
Can’t wait to get some of the activities done with my kids! A very fun post!
Great ideas. Would love to know more about your favorite Maple Syrup festivals.
There’s one at our local provincial park – Bronte Creek – it’s always fun for the kids (and adults).
Great ideas! Although we’ve just had a flurry of snow in the UK, it doesn’t last long unfortunately!