The kids will soon be on their winter break, and if you’re looking for some family winter break activities, you’ve come to the right place.
Every year, it gets more difficult to think of things to do to keep the entire family entertained. The cost of travel has gone up exponentially, and if you haven’t booked a flight a few months in advance, getting a last-minute ticket to travel will most certainly cause you to go into debt. Luckily there are quite a few things besides travel that can keep the kids and yourself entertained while the kids are on winter break. Quite a few of them you can certainly do year-round as well and a great way to kickstart a family tradition.
Here are 20 winter break activities the whole family will love, from indoor activities to outdoor adventures.
1. Build a Snowman Or a Snow Fort.
Winter almost means snow and what better way to enjoy the snow than to bundle up and go outside to play in the snow! If you don’t have enough snow, or if it’s too cold outside, build an indoor “snow” fort with pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals. Get in on the action and forget your age, be young again and just have fun. If you’d like more ideas, here are a few ideas on how you can make a snow day fun.
2. Make Some Holiday Decorations.
No home is complete without some holiday decorations, and you don’t always have to spend money making them either. Give your home the winter wonderland treatment with homemade decorations that you make together as a family. Use things like paint, glitter glue, ribbon, etc., to create your own winter-themed pieces of art. This DIY Sockman was a hit with the family, but you can also create some holiday-scented candles, an essential oil lamp, or even your own ornament for the tree, like this clothespin star ornament.
3. Have a Movie Marathon Night.
Nothing brings the family together like a movie night. It’s a great way to enjoy cozy winter nights while watching movies all night long! Invite over friends and family for a movie party (preferably one where kids and adults can enjoy). You can also make it a themed night by having guests dress up in character costumes or by making snacks based on the movie. If you’re pressed about which movies to enjoy, here’s a list of holiday movies the family would love.
4. Have a Game Night.
Winter is the perfect time for family game nights! Whether you’re playing board games, card games, video games, or any other kind of game, this is sure to be an activity that everyone will love. Host a weekly game night where everyone can gather around the table to play their favorite game. Don’t forget classic favorites like Monopoly and Uno! This is a great opportunity to get the whole family involved in some friendly competition and have lots of fun together. Plus, you’ll also get to spend quality time with each other while enjoying your favorite board game – what more could you ask for? And what’s great about it is that you can continue it throughout the year. This is something that my own family still looks forward to every Friday night.
5. Go Ice Skating.
Bring on the skates! This winter break family activity is great for active families who love to get out and about in the cold weather! Ice skating is a great way to get some exercise and spend quality time together and simply have fun. I can’t tell how many times I’ve gone with my own family just to fall on the ice which also brings family laughter. Plus, if you have younger family members, it’s the perfect opportunity to teach them how to skate! And if you don’t know how to, this is the perfect opportunity to learn yourself.
6. Have a Hot Cocoa Bar.
Nothing says winter like a warm mug of hot cocoa! Set up your own DIY hot cocoa bar and let everyone make their own custom creations with seasonal toppings like marshmallows, mini candy canes, colored sprinkles, crushed graham crackers, shaved chocolate, coconut flakes, or anything else you have on hand. Plus, it’s fun to watch the kids create their own special concoctions. My peppermint hot cocoa is always a hit with the family.
7. Visit an Indoor Playground
If you’re looking for family winter break activities that don’t involve being cold and wet outside then visiting an indoor playground is perfect! There are tons of different places where the whole family can go and play together in a safe and fun environment. Depending on where you live, there might be indoor playgrounds with bouncy castles, laser tag, and even bowling – which means you’ll never run out of things to do!
8. Have a Movie Night Out.
Head to the local movie theater for a family winter break activity that everyone will love. There’s always that one special movie that’s released each holiday. Make it extra special by dressing up in your fanciest clothes and treating yourselves to snacks like popcorn, nachos, candy bars, or whatever else you fancy! This is such a great way to spend time together and get away from the usual routine (and Netflix).
9. Bake Some Treats Together.
Baking is always one of my favorite winter break activities because it’s a great way to bring the family closer together. Head on over to the grocery store and pick up all the ingredients needed for your favorite recipe – then let everyone get involved in making it. Get creative in the kitchen and try out some new recipes or just stick to your favorite holiday treats. Biscotti, sugar cookies, and fudge are all great options for winter baking. It’s sure to be a fun family experience with plenty of laughs (and delicious treats!) to be had.
10. Go on an Outdoor Adventure.
Spend some time outside this winter break by going on an outdoor adventure! You could explore local trails or parks, go bird watching, do some nature photography, or even build a snowman (like we mentioned before). Whatever you choose to do make sure that everyone is dressed warmly and has plenty of snacks with them. This is a great way to get active while also exploring nature together as a family.
11. Build a Bonfire.
Gather around the fire and take in the warmth with one of our favorite winter break activities – building a bonfire! Whether you’re at the beach, in your backyard, or even in an open field, you can enjoy this activity wherever there is room for a good-sized campfire. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows and graham crackers to roast over the fire while telling stories and singing songs as a family!
12. Have a Snowball Fight.
Although it might be cold outside, that doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun in all that snow! A snowball fight is sure to get everyone laughing and having a great time together. It’s also a great way to get some exercise while having fun. Plus, if you have young children, they always love this winter break activity! Just be safe when tossing those snowballs and ensure there are no rocks in them.
13. Go Sledding.
If you’re looking for family winter activities that involve a bit of speed and thrill then sledding is a perfect choice! Choose a slope (or an entire hill) and let everyone take turns flying down it in their own special way. Make sure to bring along extra sleds so everyone can enjoy the ride together – it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!
14. Go Skiing.
If you have access to a ski resort, why not plan a family skiing day? Skiing is perfect for winter break activities and it’s a great way to get the whole family involved. Whether you’re an experienced skier or just beginning, everyone can enjoy this activity together. Plus, there’s nothing better than enjoying some hot cocoa by the fire after a day of skiing in the snow. Check out this list of amazing ski destinations that’s perfect for the entire family.
15. Go Tobogganing.
Tobogganing is one of our favorite winter break activities because it’s so much fun! Get everyone bundled up and head off to your local toboggan run – or even build one yourself in your backyard if you don’t have access to one nearby. It’s sure to be an exciting experience for the whole family that’ll bring back plenty of good memories. Just make sure everyone is aware of the safety guidelines and wear helmets if possible!
16. Put Together a Puzzle.
Family winter break activities don’t have to be complicated – sometimes, just putting together a simple puzzle can provide hours of entertainment for the entire family. Choose one with a fun theme or interesting image, like an old map or famous painting, and get started! This activity is great for all ages and it’s something that you can do while enjoying snacks, music, or even a movie at the same time.
17. Make a Snow Angel.
This is one of the most classic winter break activities for the whole family! Just spread out some old sheets or blankets and have everyone lie down on them to make their own snow angel. You can also draw designs in the snow with your hands or use sticks and stones to create intricate patterns – it’s all up to you! Once you’re done, snap a photo of everyone’s creations and keep them as a special reminder of this fun family activity.
18. Construct an Ice Sculpture.
If you’re feeling creative, why not try your hand at constructing an ice sculpture? This is a great winter break activity for the family as it requires both skill and imagination to construct something unique out of ice. All you need are some buckets or containers of water, food coloring, and any decorations that you might want to add to your masterpiece!
19. Have a Winter Sleepover.
If the weather is too cold to go outside, why not host an indoor winter sleepover? Get comfy in your living room or family den with blankets and pillows and cozy up for a night of fun! Put on your favorite movies, play board games that everyone can enjoy, or even cook dinner together as part of this winter break activity. Everyone will love this fun family evening and the memories it brings!
20. Explore an Indoor Winter Wonderland.
Who says that winter break activities have to be limited to the outdoors? There are plenty of fun indoor activities you can explore with your family during this time. Visit your local shopping mall, a botanical garden, or even the aquarium and marvel at the winter wonderlands they create for their visitors! Enjoy music, decorations, and lights as part of this unique family experience.
Bonus!
Take a Trip Together
Sometimes you really do need to get away and winter is the perfect time to do so. Whether it’s a trip to the beach or maybe a trip to visit family or friends, or even a new country, sometimes getting away for a winter family vacation may be just what you need to get that family bond back together. Enjoy some family time away from home by exploring a new place and experiencing different cultures. Here are some of the best places to visit in Europe in winter,
In Conclusion
These 20 winter break activities are sure to delight the whole family! From skiing and tobogganing to creating snow angels and ice sculptures, there’s something for everyone that will provide hours of family entertainment, and are sure to bring plenty of fun and joy during the holiday season. No matter which winter break activity you choose, it’s sure to provide plenty of laughs and memories that will last a lifetime. So get ready for an exciting and memorable family experience this winter break – you won’t regret it!
