25 Fun Winter Activities For Kids To Keep Them Warm And Toasty

Winter comes with a whole new world of fun and exciting things for kids to do. With the snowy landscape as their playground, there are countless winter activities for kids to keep them warm and toasty.

Fun Winter Activities For Kids

Winter is a season full of possibilities. From snowy adventures to indoor projects, kids can explore, create, and connect in ways that build skills and memories. Whether you're looking for something active, artistic, or just plain fun, this list has you covered.

1. Build a Snow Fort

Challenge your kids to build a snow fort using packed snow bricks or sculpted walls. They’ll learn about structure, stability, and teamwork while creating their own winter hideaway. Add tunnels, flags, or even battery-powered lights for extra flair. It’s outdoor engineering with a frosty twist.

2. Host a Hot Cocoa Bar

Set up a DIY hot cocoa station with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, and cinnamon. Let your kids mix and match flavors and create their own signature drinks. You can even turn it into a tasting challenge or cozy café experience. It’s delicious, creative, and perfect for warming up after outdoor play.

3. Create a Winter Photo Challenge

Give your kids a camera or smartphone and challenge them to capture winter scenes—frosty windows, snow-covered trees, or cozy indoor moments. Set themes like “texture,” “light,” or “winter wildlife” to guide their shots. Compile the photos into a digital album or print them for a seasonal gallery. It’s a great way to build visual storytelling skills.

4. Make a Snow Globe

Use mason jars, glitter, water, and small figurines to create personalized snow globes. Kids can design winter scenes and experiment with different materials to see how they float or settle. This activity blends art and science in a hands-on way. Plus, the finished product makes a great gift or keepsake.

5. Try Ice Lanterns

Fill balloons with water and freeze them to create glowing ice lanterns. Once frozen, remove the balloon and place a tea light inside. Kids learn about freezing, light diffusion, and temperature effects. It’s a magical way to light up winter nights.

6. Bake Winter Treats Together

Choose seasonal recipes like gingerbread cookies, snowflake-shaped sugar cookies, or warm apple crisp. Let your kids take the lead on measuring, mixing, and decorating. Baking teaches math, chemistry, and patience—and ends with a tasty reward. You can even host a mini bake-off or recipe swap.

7. Go on a Winter Nature Walk

Bundle up and explore a nearby trail or park to observe how nature changes in winter. Look for animal tracks, icicles, or evergreen plants. Bring a journal or sketchpad to document findings. It’s a peaceful way to connect with the outdoors and practice observation skills.

8. Build a DIY Bird Feeder

Use pinecones, peanut butter, and birdseed to make simple feeders, then hang them outside. Track which birds visit and research their species and habits. This activity teaches about ecosystems and encourages wildlife appreciation. It’s biology in your backyard.

9. Create a Winter Playlist

Let your kids curate a playlist of songs that feel wintry—cozy, dramatic, or festive. They can explore different genres, moods, and themes while building their own soundtrack for the season. Share it during family dinners, snow days, or quiet evenings. It’s a musical way to express emotion and taste.

10. Make Snow Art

Fill spray bottles with colored water and let your kids “paint” the snow in your yard. They can create patterns, messages, or abstract designs. This activity teaches about color mixing and absorption while adding a pop of fun to the landscape. It’s outdoor art with a seasonal twist.

11. Design a Winter Fashion Show

Challenge your kids to create winter-themed outfits using layers, textures, and accessories. Host a mini runway show and let them explain their style choices. You can even include recycled materials or nature-inspired elements. It’s a stylish way to explore creativity and self-expression.

12. Try a Snowball Target Game

Set up targets using buckets, cardboard cutouts, or chalk circles on a fence. Let your kids test their aim with snowballs and adjust for distance or accuracy. This activity builds coordination, strategy, and friendly competition. It’s active play with a frosty edge.

13. Build a Cardboard Sled

Challenge your kids to design and build a sled using cardboard, tape, and creativity. Test it on a snowy hill and see how well it performs. This activity introduces engineering, friction, and weight distribution. It’s a thrilling way to learn through trial and error.

14. Conduct a Hot Chocolate Science Experiment

Mix hot chocolate with different liquids or toppings and observe how they dissolve or float. Kids explore solubility, density, and temperature effects. You can even test which ingredients make the richest cocoa. Science never tasted so good!

15. Create a Winter-themed Coding Project

Use a free platform like Scratch or Tynker to build a winter-themed animation or game. Kids learn about logic, sequencing, and computational thinking. You can set challenges like designing a snowball fight game or a cozy cabin scene. It’s tech-savvy creativity in action.

16. Make Ice Cream in a Bag

Combine milk, sugar, and vanilla in a small bag, then place it in a larger bag with ice and salt. Shake until frozen and enjoy! Kids learn about freezing point depression and energy transfer. It’s a tasty way to explore chemistry.

17. Host a Winter Trivia Night

Create trivia questions based on winter facts—weather, holidays, animals, or traditions. Let your kids compete solo or in teams and award small prizes. This activity builds research, memory, and public speaking skills. It’s educational fun for cozy evenings.

18. Build a Snow Maze

Use snow piles to create a maze in your yard or local park. Let your kids design the layout and test it with friends or siblings. This activity promotes spatial reasoning, planning, and teamwork. It’s a large-scale puzzle with chilly charm.

19. Try Shadow Photography

On sunny winter days, challenge your kids to capture interesting shadows cast by trees, buildings, or people. Talk about light angles, contrast, and composition. You can turn it into a photo essay or art project. It’s a creative way to explore physics and photography.

20. Make a Winter Vision Board

Encourage your kids to reflect on their goals, dreams, and favorite things about winter. Use magazines, drawings, or digital tools to create a collage. This activity builds self-awareness and visual storytelling. Hang it up for inspiration all season long.

21. Explore Snowflake Symmetry

Cut out paper snowflakes and examine their patterns to learn about symmetry and geometry. Challenge your kids to create snowflakes with specific shapes or themes. You can even research how real snowflakes form. It’s math meets art in a hands-on way.

22. Host a Cozy Reading Marathon

Choose a stack of winter-themed books or let your kids pick their favorites. Set up a reading nook with blankets, snacks, and soft lighting. Encourage them to read for a set amount of time or pages. It’s a relaxing way to build literacy and imagination.

23. Make a Winter-themed Puzzle

Design a custom puzzle using a printed photo or drawing, then cut it into pieces. Kids can challenge themselves or others to solve it. This activity builds spatial reasoning and problem-solving. You can even swap puzzles with friends.

24. Go on a Nighttime Stargazing Adventure

Wait for a clear, crisp night and head to a spot away from city lights. Use a star map or app to identify constellations, planets, and meteor showers. Talk about astronomy, light pollution, and the science of space. Stargazing inspires wonder and big questions—perfect for curious minds.

25. Create a Winter Bucket List

Sit down as a family and brainstorm a list of things to do before winter ends—sledding, baking, crafting, or exploring. Let your kids decorate the list and check off items as you go. This activity encourages planning, goal-setting, and shared experiences. It’s a fun way to make the most of the season.

Final Thoughts

Winter is a season of wonder, and kids ages 10 to 16 are at the perfect age to explore it through creativity, movement, and connection. These 25 activities offer a mix of indoor coziness and outdoor adventure, all designed to spark joy and learning. Whether you try one a day or mix and match throughout the month, you’re building memories that last far beyond the snow.

Want help turning this into a printable calendar or themed activity pack? I’d love to help you build it out!