Here’s a list of winter activities, along with a corresponding free printable winter bucket list, filled with classic wintertime fun and unique ideas for kids and adults of all ages!
This FREE winter bucket list of fun ideas includes winter-themed activities and seasonal arts and crafts to do at home or in the classroom during the dark days of winter. As the days grow colder and the nights grow longer–it’s time to gear up for some classic winter fun! Winter invites children and adults of all ages to slow down, gather together, and create memories that feel as warm as a mug of hot cocoa or a hug from loved ones. Whether you bundle up with a warm blanket and a good book indoors or embrace the crisp air outdoors, the colder months offer endless opportunities for creativity, adventure, and enjoyable moments spent with loved ones and friends.
This informative article highlights winter arts, crafts, and activities for all ages, skill levels, and abilities. In other words, there is something for everyone on the list of winter activities below. It includes a FREE printable winter bucket list with a handy checklist, so everyone can keep track of the activities they complete and make the most of the season. Alternatively, you can check them off as a group, whether a family, group of friends, couple, or classroom, if desired.
From simple winter crafts and hands-on art projects to cozy indoor games and invigorating outdoor adventures, the winter activities on this massive list can spark children’s imaginations and give adults a chance to unwind and play, too! Scroll down to see our bucket list ideas and other fun things to do in the winter, and grab the free printable to check off each item you try. You might also enjoy the free spring, summer, and fall bucket lists. For even more seasonal activity ideas, click HERE–> Seasonal Activities.
Fun Winter Activities for Kids and Adults:
Here’s a helpful list of fun winter arts, crafts, and activities that young and old alike can enjoy during winter break (Christmas) and throughout the winter season. Since there are so many fun winter activities to enjoy at this time of year, I regularly update the ideas both in this article and on the printable winter bucket list that accompanies it.
I suggest hanging one of the beautiful free printable bucket lists from the Rhythms of Play Learning Center in a visible spot, such as in a frame, on a homeschool or classroom bulletin board, or on the fridge door, so everyone can see and enjoy the fun winter activity ideas! Then put up the bucket list for the spring when winter comes to an end. Then switch them out again when spring changes to summer, and again when summer transforms to fall.
Update 2026: This free printable winter bucket list has been recently updated, and the newest version is now available in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center. Get your FREE copy here: Printable Winter Bucket List.
There are plenty of fun winter-themed bucket list ideas to make the most of this exciting season outdoors, at home, or in the classroom! Scroll down to see instructions, project ideas, and tips for each of the winter activity suggestions on the printable list of ideas. I hope you enjoy this list of fun things to do in the winter for kids — and the young at heart.
FREE Printable List of Winter Activities:
You will notice that this article, and the corresponding free printable list of winter activities that goes with it, is now divided into the following categories:
- Outdoor Activities
- Festive and Holiday Themed
- Crafts and Creative Ideas
- Food and Drink Fun
- Places to Go
- Cozy Home Activities
Visit the Rhythms of Play Learning Center to get access to one of the fantastic free winter bucket lists that are available. The bundle includes five printables full of fun winter activities you can print and hang, or put in a folder or binder to use as a checklist. Or, get our free bucket list ideas for spring, summer, fall, and winter in THIS bundle of printable checklists. Alternatively, you can write the winter activities you want to do this year in your planner, schedule, calendar, or journal.
Enjoy the Classic, Unique, Outdoor, Festive, Creative, Cozy, Adventurous, and Fun Activities for Kids and Adults on the Winter Bucket List!
The winter bucket list versions shown in the photograph below look lovely displayed in your home or classroom. Try hanging one on your refrigerator or bulletin board with homemade fingerprint magnets! However, the newest version (and the list items in this article) feature the general categories mentioned above for each type of winter activity, making it easier to navigate both this handy guide and the corresponding printable winter bucket list.
In other words, the winter bucket list printables in the photo above include anywhere from 27 to 37 activities to do in the wintertime. However, the updated list includes 130 winter ideas, each with a full description and, in many instances, a link to step-by-step instructions for specific activities or projects. That said, because some winter activities include multiple ideas, games, or projects, there are hundreds of activity ideas you can try.
For example, the list item “Play a Board Game” includes a link to an article with not one but several excellent board games for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy. There are even a few card and dice games on this list. For another example, “Paint with Winter Colors” includes a link to a guide with more than 75 winter art projects and painting ideas you can try. And that’s only two of the ideas listed below!
Fun Activities to do in Winter for All Ages and Abilities:
Enjoy checking off the fun winter activities after your solo and group adventures this season. Or use the newest printable winter bucket list, complete with blank spaces so you can add any winter activities you’d like to enjoy on your own or with family and friends that are not already on the list. Bundle up to enjoy classic winter outdoor activities you can only do in the wintertime. Then head back inside for some cozy, winter-themed indoor fun. Warm your feet by the fire, curl up with a book, create winter arts and crafts, or bake some cookies to share. Or, get busy making, baking, and decorating for the holidays! If the holidays have passed, use the ideas to enjoy new and unique activities and classic winter fun!
130 Bucket List Ideas for Winter (Activities, Arts, and Crafts)
The winter activities on this massive list of ideas will help spark children’s imaginations and make even older adults feel like kids again! Use the handy winter bucket list of ideas, along with the details about each activity suggestion in this informative article, to find simple crafts, hands-on art projects, cozy indoor games, and invigorating outdoor adventures to enjoy with loved ones and friends.
The list below begins with winter-themed bucket list ideas perfect for the holidays and winter break and concludes with fun winter activities for the remainder of the season. Once the holidays are over, the real wintertime fun can begin!
If you are finding this handy list of winter activities after the New Year, bypass the items under the “Festive and Holiday-Themed” category on the bucket list printable (and the article below), as they no longer apply. But please don’t skip the whole section, as many of the ideas apply to other winter holidays, such as Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day. And of course, the latter wintertime is also a great time to prepare for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, especially if you plan to make homemade gifts for Mom or Dad!
Cross off the activities you complete on the corresponding free winter bucket list; use it as a helpful guide to plan the winter, or if you ever get stuck for ideas or things to do. The colorful hyperlinked text will take you to articles and tutorials with more information, or to helpful products to help you enjoy the winter season. Read about each item on the list below to learn more about each winter activity, art, or craft project.
Winter outdoor Activities (1-28):
The first list of ideas on the new printable winter bucket list includes several fun outdoor activities you can enjoy in the wintertime:
1. Go on a winter scavenger hunt:
Believe it or not, going on a scavenger hunt in the winter is as much fun as in the spring, summer, and fall. So, invite toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and children of all ages out on a nature scavenger hunt this winter. Create a list of clues with winter items to find outdoors, or use the items themselves as clues with the directions here: Nature Scavenger Hunt Instructions. There is also not one but two printable winter scavenger hunts you can try in the Scavenger Hunt Library in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center.
Enjoy the seasonal sights, sounds, smells, and sensations that make winter unique on an outdoor scavenger hunt. Toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners can enjoy this simple winter scavenger hunt with pictures. Older elementary-aged children, teens, and adults can enjoy learning more about the subtle changes that occur as fall transitions to winter with a scavenger hunt that doubles as a science or nature study lesson. This fun wintertime activity can help kids learn about seasonal changes in their biome compared to others. Learn more about this fun and educational winter activity for kids, and grab the printable HERE–> Signs of Winter Scavenger Hunt.
(Please note: I am currently in the process of updating the “Signs of Winter Scavenger Hunt” to the newer landscape format with a checklist. If you are curious, it will look like the newer signs of the seasons scavenger hunts I made for spring, summer, and fall. Once I complete the new signs of winter scavenger hunt, I will put it in the scavenger hunt library, and it will be available to all Rhythms of PLAY CLUB members, as well as anyone else with prior access, for no additional charge.)
2. Feed winter birds and animals:
Putting out food that animals enjoy is a fun winter activity for young and old alike. Of course, feeding birds and other animals is not only fun to do in the winter. You can also do this activity year-round, and I encourage you to do so, but winter is when they need it most. For many of our bird and animal friends in the winter, food supplies become as scarce as the leaves on deciduous trees. Provide the birds and animals in your neighborhood with any food they need to help them survive the long, cold winter months.
To do this, some people decorate an outdoor winter solstice or Yule tree filled with safe edible ornaments for the birds and animals in their region or biome. There is even a children’s winter board book you can read about this activity titled, “The Night Tree.” In comparison, others supply homemade nectar for hummingbirds in a hummingbird feeder, birdseed in a bird feeder (our bird friends like hanging bird feeder trays best), and nuts for their nutty squirrel friends on their patio. For more information and ideas, please check out our birding tips, kid-friendly activities, and funny, educational squirrel activities.
3. Sing and dance in the rain:
Can you think of a rainy day activity that is more fun than singing and dancing in the rain? My daughter and I sure can! Please visit our list of fun things to do on a rainy day. It includes several more indoor and outdoor rainy-day play ideas that all ages will enjoy here: Rainy Day Activities.
4. Play in the snow:
Playing in the snow is a classic winter bucket list activity–especially when you don’t live where it snows. Sometimes it’s not easy to find snow, especially if you live deep in the Florida Keys or are stuck on the island of Kauai like I was for several years (which is not such a terrible thing — lol!). Help children find someplace to play in the snow at least once before winter is over. Or at the very least, once in your lifetime. But if you live where it snows, encourage the kids to get outside and play in the snow every day to check this wintertime activity off the list.
5. Build a snowman:
Building a snowman is a classic winter activity that gets young and old outside moving. Start by gathering fresh snow and shaping it into a large, medium, and small ball. Then, stack the medium ball on top of the large ball, and the small ball on top of the other two. Next, decorate the snowman with sticks for arms, a carrot for a nose, rocks or stones for eyes, and buttons, and smaller pebbles to create a smiling face. Wrap it with a scarf and top it with a hat if desired.
If you live somewhere that does not snow, you might think you can’t do this classic winter activity. Unless, of course, you head out of town to find some snow. But that’s just not true. No matter where you live, anyone can build a snowman with this fun winter craft idea! Use these simple instructions to build a clay snowman for ornaments and other snowman crafts. And, if you happen to live where it snows, of course, you should also invite everyone to build a snowman with real snow! Or, encourage the kids to get creative and make a mud-ball person or a sand lady to check this item off your winter bucket list.
6. Make snow (or sand) angels:
Lie in the fresh snow and move your arms and legs back and forth away from and toward your body to make angel shapes. Making snow angels is a classic winter activity for kids and the young at heart. Since my husband and I met while working as ocean lifeguards. We’ve both lived in several beautiful, sunny places that never get any snowfall. If the same is true for you, make a sand angel on the beach instead! The best thing about sand angels is that they can be made year-round, unlike snow angels. So, if you ever find yourself on a sunny beach- winter or not- don’t be afraid to offer this fun activity to children and the young at heart, like my husband and me.
7. Have a snowball fight or war:
Having a snowball fight is one of the most classic winter activities for kids and adults, no matter what you call it. Whether you call avoiding the flying snowball a “snowball fight,” a “snowball war,” a snowballing good time, or playing a friendly game of “snowball tag,” get the kids outside in the snow for some old-fashioned family fun!
Start by establishing a few clear rules and ensuring that each participant understands them before beginning snowball play. Well-established rules help create the boundary lines that create a safe space for play. When lines are crossed and rules are broken, enforcing agreed-upon penalties can recreate a safe container so that play can continue.
For example, ensure everyone understands that snowballs are never to be aimed above the neck or below the belt (at anyone’s private places), along with the boundaries of the game, and any other rules you may have. The best games of snowball tag happen when boundary lines and fair game rules are understood well before play begins. No one should ever have to feel what it’s like to get hit by a fast-flying frozen snowball smack in the face. Yup, I’ve been there.
The kids and families with good “snowball fun” rules enjoy their “snowball fights” or games of “snowball tag” the most, even when they ambush each other. Unless “no ambushing” is a family rule, of course. Some parents require that all infidels give proper warning before throwing snowballs across enemy lines, while others love the thrill of a surprise “snowball fun” ambush. Stay within your family’s rules, be gentle with your snowball toss, and, most importantly, have fun!
8. Create ice or snow sculptures:
Whether you build with snow like you make a snowman, or build a sandcastle, or learn how to carve ice sculptures safely. Get outside this winter to create animals, build castles, or make abstract shapes from snow and ice. Young children will likely need help digging and forming their snowy creations. Teens and adults can challenge themselves by trying ice sculpting or completing more detailed snow sculpture designs.
9. Ride down a snowy mountain:
There are many fun ways to ride down a snowy mountain in the winter. Several outstanding classic and modern choices follow. Grab your outdoor winter ride-on toy of choice and head for the snowy hills and snow-covered mountains to go for a ride this winter.
10. Go sledding, tubing, or tobogganing:
Slide down snowy hills using sleds, tubes, or a toboggan. Sleds, toboggans, and inflatable tubes offer an easy way for kids to play in the snow outside, sometimes even in their own backyards. Tobogganing is similar to sledding but is often a faster and longer ride. This classic winter activity is exciting for kids, nostalgic for adults, and a thrilling way to enjoy a day in the snow together.
11. Enjoy downhill skiing:
Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports. People have been attempting to ski downhill in snowy parts of the world, with a plank of some sort attached to each foot, using increasingly better designs since ancient times. If you have brothers, sons, or a husband who acts like a giant toddler, as I do, this will make perfect sense. People have always wanted to find better, more exciting ways to ride down snowy hills and mountains, and skiing has been the subject of research and development worldwide for a long time.
Learn basic skiing skills at a resort or local ski hill to build confidence and physical strength. If you already have skis, grab a lift ticket so you can ride down a mountain on a pair of downhill skis to enjoy this exciting winter activity as often as time and money will allow. Although enjoyable, this popular winter activity is not cheap, nor for the faint of heart. Skiing has an incredibly difficult learning curve for some. Many give up trying before they ever truly learn how to ski. The same is true of snowboarding, which is the next item on this extensive winter bucket list:
12. Ride a snowboard:
A snowboard is a single board that people ride down snowy hills on. Snowboarding is a modern adaptation of downhill skiing that originated in the mid-1960s with Sherman Poppen’s “Snurfer.” Other early innovations were made by snowboarding pioneers Jake Burton and Tom Sims, and evolved into the sport we know as “snowboarding” today. This exciting new winter sport was not allowed at many ski resorts at first, but started to gain worldwide acceptance in the mid to late 80s and became an Olympic sport in 1998. Today, ski mountains and snowboarding resorts provide an outdoor playground for young and old alike to ride down snowy mountains on skis with poles or a snowboard.
It was introduced to skateboarders and surfers to increase their interest in visiting ski resorts to give snowboarding a try. Billed as a new way to ride down a mountain, snowboards made it possible for people to “skate down” or “surf the mountain slope” on a single board with bindings placed in a sideways stance with legs slightly apart, rather than facing forward with legs together on the two planks known as skis, with poles in their hands.
13. Enjoy snowshoeing:
Snowshoeing allows people to walk easily across deep snow while exploring nature trails. Give the whole family snowshoes for Christmas, and then invite everyone out for a walk in the snow. It’s beginner-friendly and is ideal for those who live near natural areas where it snows. Active outdoor winter activities like snowshoeing are always fun for everyone — and healthy, too!
14. Try cross-country skiing:
This active winter activity is an excellent endurance workout that is suitable for beginners. Glide smoothly across snowy trails on a pair of cross-country skis at a consistent pace.
15. Go ice skating:
Ice skating is a fun outdoor winter activity that the whole family can enjoy. Make plans to go ice skating with the family, your BFF, on a date with someone special, or with a group of friends. You can skate at an indoor rink, an outdoor rink, or on safe outdoor ice, such as a lake, that has been tested for ice skating. Outdoor skating rinks are always magical in the wintertime.
16. Take a winter nature walk:
Enjoy winter’s seasonal sights on a nature walk. You don’t need to go far to explore nature and experience the area’s beauty. This activity helps people observe animal tracks and the various seasonal changes that occur during winter.
17. Go for a winter hike:
Hike safely on marked trails in the winter. Ensure you bundle up in layers that are easy to take off when you heat up before going out there, so you don’t get stuck out in the cold. This winter activity idea is perfect for older children, teens, and adults who enjoy outdoor adventures.
18: Try ice fishing (with supervision):
Ice fishing is an enjoyable activity for anglers, young and old alike. Take proper safety measures, and ensure someone who knows what they are doing guides your adventures. Ice fishing teaches respect for the natural world and patience.
19. Watch winter birds:
Watch the winter birds that stay active and present in the wintertime if you live in a cold and snowy part of the world. If you live in an area where birds migrate for the winter, observe them in their winter homes and habitats. Putting bird feeders out around your home near windows and in your backyard makes this activity more engaging. You can even become a citizen scientist by counting birds. Learn more about winter bird counts and discover several more birdwatching ideas here: Birding for Kids.
20. Stargaze on a clear night:
Winter nights with clear skies are ideal for stargazing and exploring constellations. Cold winter nights are often clearer, making stars easier to see. Dress warmly and step outside to look for constellations. Get out a telescope if you have one, or visit an observatory, to see everything more clearly than with the naked eye alone. Engaging with astronomy in this way is educational, peaceful, awe-inspiring, and encourages curiosity about space.
21. Build a snow fort or shelter:
Work together to pack snow into walls and tunnels to build a fort or a shelter. If you try this creative outdoor winter activity, please ensure you and everyone else stay safe from snow collapse by not digging too deep, piling it too high, or creating too steep an angle. This cooperative outdoor winter activity promotes creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.
22. Take winter photographs:
Everything looks different when frosted over or covered in snow in the wintertime. Take pictures of the beautiful winter scenery, capturing sparkling snowy landscapes, close-ups of frost, and magical sunsets.
23. Enjoy an outdoor winter picnic:
Bundle up for an invigorating picnic outdoors in winter. Dress warmly to savor hot drinks and snacks, or a simple meal, at an outdoor table or bench in the park, near an outdoor skating rink, or in any other place where a winter picnic might be nice.
24. Play casual ice hockey:
Play a friendly game of hockey with friends, family, or a school group just for fun! This winter sport builds endurance, encourages teamwork, and promotes physical activity.
25. Look for tracks:
Get outside to look for bird and animal tracks in the snow or mud. Once you find them, do your best to identify what type of animal made them. Tracking is an educational outdoor winter activity that is fun for young and old alike!
26. Try Rain or snow painting:
Paint snow with colored water or try rain painting. Learn how to paint with the rain here: Rain Painting. If you happen to live where it snows, mix water with a few drops of food coloring or non-toxic liquid watercolors in a jar or cup. Then use a paintbrush to paint the snow with the colored water. Alternatively, you can put it in a spray bottle and spray it onto the snow to color it, or use a pipette to drip it onto the snow. Encourage artists to experiment with each alternative type of color application, if desired.
27. Visit frozen waterfalls:
It’s fun to visit safe, designated areas where you can see frozen falls. Frozen waterfalls are memorable for their sheer visual impact. This makes them a great place to hike in the winter, as long as the trail is safe to travel on. Frozen waterfalls are also an excellent location for winter photography.
28. Watch a winter sunrise or sunset:
Here’s a peaceful activity you can enjoy on your own or with others. Bask in the last few moments of daylight and capture the gorgeous winter light at sunset. The setting sun in winter creates beautiful colors that sparkle just so in the fading light. This time of day is also a great time to take pictures with others. For this reason, the moments just before and after sunset are called the magic hour in show business.
Festive and Holiday Themed Winter Activities (29-49):
Here are several festive, holiday-themed winter activities for children and adults of all ages to enjoy:
29. Decorate for the holidays:
Decorating for winter holidays such as the Winter Solstice, Christmas, or Hanukkah is a fun winter activity for children and adults of all ages. Putting up Christmas lights and other holiday decorations illuminates the dark winter days and helps us share the light with friends, relatives, and neighbors.
Take out the Advent Candles or the Hanukkah Menorah. Set up a simple nativity scene Christmas display, trim the Yule or Christmas Tree with homemade ornaments, and decorate for the holidays in any way your heart desires. And, once Christmas has passed, feel free to decorate for the New Year or Valentine’s Day.
30. Trim a tree:
Decorating a Christmas tree is a classic family tradition worldwide during the wintertime. Since ancient times, our ancestors have brought an evergreen tree into the house to decorate it. So, join the fun and decorate a tree for Christmas or the Winter Solstice to check this fun winter activity off your winter bucket list!
31. Celebrate the Winter Solstice:
Learn all about the winter solstice and celebrate Yule with our list of FAQs and celebration ideas HERE–>Winter Solstice traditions.
32. Countdown to Christmas (or another winter holiday):
Counting down to Christmas is a traditional activity for many Christians around the world during December. Discover how to build a simple stone countdown with rocks, or design a light spiral to use as a countdown.
33. Light candles on a Menorah:
Lighting candles on a Menorah is a Jewish Hanukkah tradition. Typically, the candles are lit just after sunset (or before sunset on Fridays) for eight nights in a row in increasing numbers, with a special ninth candle to light them in celebration of the miracle of a single night’s oil lasting for eight nights in the rededicated Jerusalem Temple after the Maccabean victory over the Greeks.
34. Start a New Festive Family Tradition:
Start a new family tradition to make winter break and the dark days of winter more interesting. There are several winter holidays and festivals with classic and modern traditions that occur at various points throughout the season. Visit the following articles to learn more about the traditions associated with each of these holidays and winter festivals to learn more:
- Winter Solstice Traditions
- 50 Fun Family Christmas Traditions
- New Year’s Traditions and Celebration Ideas
- Imbolc and Candlemas Traditions
35. Bake holiday cookies:
Making, baking, and decorating holiday cookies is a classic winter activity for many families. There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked cookies in a nice warm oven on a cold winter’s day. Not to mention how delicious a warm cookie with a glass of cold milk or vanilla ice cream tastes! Young and old alike melt in satisfaction at the mere sight of these goodies. Whether you bake cookies as neighbor gifts for the holidays, host or attend a cookie swap, give them away as a kindness project, or just want to eat something sweet on a cold winter day, invite children to make and bake cookies to check this sweet winter activity off your bucket list.
36. Walk or drive to look at holiday lights:
Take a walk or drive to see Christmas lights and holiday displays in your city, town, or local neighborhood before they disappear. My family and I love getting outside for nightly walks after dinner to view holiday lights. We also enjoy driving through different neighborhoods and taking longer than we need to get home in December to see some of the Christmas displays that people in our city decorate their homes and yards with. People often put their holiday lights away just before or after the New Year, so be sure to check this one off the list in early winter.
37. Watch holiday movies:
Spend time with your family, friends, or that special person you like to cuddle up on the couch with on a cold winter’s night, watching winter-themed or holiday movies. Select your favorite classic Christmas movies, or watch a few new ones to see if there are any to add to your list of must-watches every year. Watching them with snacks like popcorn and candy and snuggling together under blankets makes it a cozy, special event.
38. Send holiday cards:
Write handwritten messages in homemade holiday cards or design them online at your favorite photo service. Handwritten cards teach kids gratitude and help teens and adults connect meaningfully with others, but you can send thank-you cards after the holidays to those who sent gifts if you design your cards digitally.
Once they are ready, send your well-wishes and greetings to friends, family, and loved ones to wish them a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, or Happy Valentine’s Day this winter. In other words, if you don’t get your holiday cards sent out in time for Christmas, send thank-you, New Year’s, or Valentine’s Day cards instead!
39. Host a winter holiday party:
Hosting a winter holiday party is a fun way to celebrate the season. Plan games, snacks, crafts, and activities for a kids’ party. Or invite people over for a simple gathering with friends and family, for Hannukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, Groundhog Day, or Valentine’s Day!
40. Sing seasonal songs:
There is a reason so many people sing seasonal winter songs such as Christmas Carols and other winter holiday songs, and it’s not necessarily because Santa is coming to town. Singing is a trick some birds use to help them stay warm on cold mornings and long winter days. So, if you need a little warmth–literally or figuratively–sing your heart out this winter to check this idea off your winter bucket list.
41. Make or purchase and wrap gifts:
Making or buying gifts and wrapping them, or putting them into decorative gift bags, for the holidays is a classic winter activity enjoyed by many individuals and families. Many people add embellishments such as ribbon, gift tags, and other decorative elements to wrapped gifts.
42. Commit RAndom acts of kindness:
Winter is an excellent time to give to the needy or volunteer at your local shelter or soup kitchen to serve communities and families who are less fortunate. Many people don’t have the food, clothing, or shelter they need to survive the winter. So, encourage children to serve their communities and commit random acts of kindness in service to others or the environment to check this heart-centered activity off their winter bucket list.
43. Volunteer or serve those in need:
Help local charities and drives by giving them an extra hand during the holiday season. For example, you can volunteer at a local soup kitchen, support the “Salvation Army Angel Tree Program”, or deliver food for “Meals on Wheels.”
44. Practice gratitude:
Doing gratitude activities, such as writing in a gratitude journal or printable worksheets, throughout the winter is a great way to maintain a thankful perspective during the holiday gift-giving season. Gratitude crafts and activities are also a great way to keep depression at bay on dreary days. As David Steindl-Rast said, “It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful!
45. Reflect on the past year:
Winter is a reflective time of year. Spend some time turning within to face mistakes, hard-won lessons, fears, and wins that you have experienced over the last year. Discuss memories and lessons learned with loved ones at the dinner table, ask children and adults questions for them to consider, or write your thoughts down in a personal journal or diary.
46. Celebrate the New Year:
Ring in the new year and celebrate with this fun list of New Year’s Traditions and Celebration Ideas–> New Year’s Traditions.
47. Play and learn with shadows:
Encourage the kids to have fun learning and playing with their shadows — for Groundhog Day in February — or just for fun. I’ve written a helpful article with several shadow play ideas for homeschoolers and children, from babies to toddlers to teens. Learn five ways to play with your shadow HERE–> Educational Shadow Activities for Kids.
48. Celebrate Imbolc, Candlemas, or Groundhog Day:
The beginning of February is rife with late-winter and early-spring celebrations around the world, such as Imbolc, Candlemas, and Groundhog Day. Learn more about these holidays, and discover fun traditions and celebration ideas from around the world here: Imbolc and Candlemas Traditions and Celebration Ideas.
49. Pass out or Send Valentines:
Make your Valentine’s Day cards to pass out to friends at school, send cards to family, or make homemade gifts for loved ones to show you care this winter. Fortunately, we have plenty of homemade Valentine’s Day cards and gift ideas you can try. Give the Valentine’s Day craft ideas below a try to check this fun activity off your winter bucket list:
Winter Arts, Crafts, And Creative Activities (50-76):
Here are several winter arts, crafts, and creative activities kids and adults of all ages will enjoy:
50. Make Homemade Greeting cards:
When the days grow cold in the wintertime, my daughter and I love painting, creating art, and making handmade crafts and gifts, including thank-you cards for family and friends. Making homemade cards is fun to do in the winter for kids and adults of all ages. So, invite your children to make homemade Christmas, thank-you, or Valentine’s Day cards for a fun winter activity.
Our fingerprint love bug cards make great thank-you and Valentine’s Day cards — especially if your children tend to procrastinate about sending their thank-you cards after Christmas and the holidays — lol! Besides, making thank you cards is a great way to pass the time during and throughout winter break.
51. Paint with winter colors:
Painting with winter colors is a lovely way to pass the time and a great way to learn more about winter and everything it offers. Invite children from toddlers to teens to paint with winter colors using these fun ideas: Winter Art Projects and Painting Ideas.
52. Make a new ornament:
We love making at least one new ornament for our Christmas tree every winter. Crafting a new ornament each year is a Christmas tradition that the whole family enjoys. So, take the time to make a new Christmas ornament this winter with this list of homemade Christmas ornaments. And don’t forget to add your name and date to each new ornament so that one day, you will have a tree filled with Christmas memories and winters gone by to enjoy.
53. Build a gingerbread house:
Build a gingerbread house with your favorite home-baked gingerbread and cookie cutters, graham crackers, or cardboard. Discover several creative gingerbread house projects in this list of Christmas traditions.
54. Make handmade gifts and Decorations:
One of my family’s favorite winter activities is making and giving homemade gifts for the holidays. In the wintertime, we enjoy making DIY Christmas and Valentine’s Day gifts for loved ones. Spend some time making handmade gifts for family and friends for the holidays with this great list of gifts kids can make. Or have a look through these DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts to see a lovely collection of keepsake gifts you can make for Valentine’s Day!
55. Create a winter nature table:
A nature table is a shelf, mantle, dresser top, or tabletop with things on it that are related to or reflect the season of nature. They usually feature natural items from the great outdoors, winter-themed arts and crafts, or winter animals. Use these simple tips to create your own–> winter nature table.
56. Make Snowflakes and other Winter Crafts:
Making snowflakes is a crafty winter activity that children of all ages adore. Make paper snowflakes, beaded snowflakes, and other winter crafts to check this idea off your winter bucket list.
57. Create window frost art:
Make winter frost art on your windows. To create these white frost designs on home, office, school, or storefront windows, use white acrylic paint, paint pens, or liquid chalk markers. First, create your pattern by taping a sketch to the inside of the window to trace. Then trace the design on the inside of the window and layer the paint for opacity. To remove window frost designs, use a razor scraper and warm, soapy water.
58. Paint or draw winter scenes, Animals, and characters:
Draw or paint winter scenes and characters on windows with the step-by-step window frost art instructions above. Alternatively, you can draw these winter scenes on paper or in an art journal, with sketching pencils, colored pencils, washable pens, or high-quality alcohol-based markers. For example, draw or paint winter characters such as Christmas characters, snowmen, elves, and reindeer. Or create stunning winter scenes such as nature landscapes with evergreen trees, winter silhouettes, and snowy cityscapes. For ideas, please visit these winter art projects, crafts, and painting ideas.
59. Write winter stories or poems:
Spend time during the winter writing creative winter stories or poems for educational purposes or just for fun. Begin the story with the classic opening and prompt, “It was a dark and stormy night…” if you are stumped for ideas.
60. Knit, Crochet, or Weave something:
Knitting, crocheting, and weaving are classic winter activities. You can start with simple projects like scarves, hats, or socks. Over time, you’ll build the skills and patience to take on more advanced projects. Not only do fiber art projects help pass the time on a stormy winter’s day, but they also foster a sense of community when made with others in a knitting or crochet group. Beginning fiber arts classes and groups are held at yarn, fabric, hobby, or craft stores, libraries, churches, and other community centers. Best of all, many of these groups are free. Look for a knitting or crocheting group to join in your local community resource guide. Hand-crochet and knit crafts are also ideal for winter, making great handmade gifts to keep loved ones warm and cozy.
61. Try a small sewing project:
Winter is a great time of year to take on small sewing projects, whether you try hand-sewing or machine sewing. If you have never tried sewing before, I recommend starting with beginner hand-sewing projects. Teach children how to sew with burlap and yarn, or stitch up a small mouse toy for children or cats to play with. Sew simple gifts, or sew something you want or need. Since Valentine’s Day occurs in the winter, it can also be fun to sew hearts.
62. Make DIY Candles or Lanterns:
The longest nights and shortest days of the year occur in wintertime. This makes it an ideal time of year to make DIY candles or lanterns. Homemade candles make great gifts, and look lovely when lit on a table, shelf, mantle, or windowsill when it gets dark outside.
63. Model with play-dough, beeswax, or clay:
Get out your favorite modeling compound to make something with your hands. Creating with play dough, beeswax, or clay encourages hands-on exploration and provides a creative sensory experience. Although it tends to dry out and is not made to last, Play-Doh is soft, lightweight, and easy to shape, making it perfect for young children and quick imaginative play.
Beeswax is firmer but warms up as you handle it, fostering slower, more deliberate modeling. It has a pleasant natural scent, can be reused endlessly without drying out, and is the preferred modeling compound for Waldorf or Steiner Schools and Homeschools worldwide.
Clay, especially natural or ceramic clay, offers the greatest sculptural potential, allowing for fine details and sturdy structures, and can be fired or air-dried to become permanent. Polymer clay can be molded until baked into a permanent shape. Together, these modeling materials support creativity in different ways, from playful experimentation to thoughtful, lasting creations.
64. Build with blocks or LEGO:
Encourage children of all ages to create structures and imaginative play spaces with building blocks or LEGO. These hands-on winter activities encourage creativity and problem-solving, and help develop simple engineering skills. Set themes or time limits for builds to make things even more interesting if desired. If you enjoy DIY projects, please visit Building Blocks for Kids.
Wooden blocks promote open-ended play, while helping children develop balance, hand-eye coordination, and an understanding of shapes and structures. On the other hand, LEGO pieces allow for connectivity, precision, and more complex designs depending on the set or block pieces and parts available. Both types of building materials help develop spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and perseverance as children and adults plan, test, and revise their ideas.
65. Learn origami:
Fold paper into shapes, animals, and decorations. Start with simple origami patterns and progress to more challenging folded paper art designs. Origami is the art of creating figures by folding paper into specific shapes without cutting or gluing. Originating in Japan, origami uses a series of step-by-step folds to turn a flat sheet of paper into animals, objects, or geometric forms. This practice enhances concentration, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills while encouraging patience and problem-solving. Origami can be simple or highly intricate, making it accessible to beginners and challenging for more experienced hands.
66. Make window stars:
Making window stars is another creative paper-folding activity similar to origami that combines geometry, color, and light. However, making them requires a small amount of glue. When hung in a window, the overlapping colors allow light to shine through, producing a glowing, stained-glass effect. Window stars are formed by folding and layering multiple pieces of colorful translucent paper called kite paper in precise patterns to create symmetrical designs. Kite paper is similar to colored tissue paper but holds its color much better when exposed to sunlight. It is therefore superior for making window decorations such as window stars. This calming fine-motor activity produces visually stunning results and helps children develop patience and a basic understanding of symmetry.
67. Practice calligraphy or hand-lettering:
Learn or practice some form of decorative writing or hand-lettering art, such as calligraphy. This creative activity helps develop fine-motor skills and attention to detail. Use your new skills to write beautiful letters and create handmade greeting cards. A simple homemade thank-you card can be transformed into something of higher quality with the addition of beautiful handwriting.
68. Edit or organize photos:
Editing and organizing photos is a productive way to pass the time in the winter, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. It’s also a great opportunity to assemble them into digital greeting cards, calendars, ornaments, and other photo gifts for family and friends. There are so many creative things you can do with digital photographs these days. Explore your options and have fun!
69. Start a scrapbook:
Starting a scrapbook is another creative activity you can do with photographs. Today, you can make scrapbooks with digital or printed pictures. In other words, either print them out to glue and paste into a scrapbook along with other embellishments. Or, use your favorite online digital photo book creation service. Choose your favorite method to get started with scrapbooking today. Scrapbooks of specific trips, holidays, and events make lovely personalized gifts for the family, friends, and loved ones who enjoyed them with you. More generalized scrapbooks with pictures you’d like to share make lovely gifts for relatives who live far away.
70. Make a vision board:
A vision board is a visual tool that showcases goals, dreams, and intentions, helping people clarify what they want and stay motivated to achieve it. A vision board helps turn abstract ideas into concrete and inspiring images that can help you achieve your goals and co-create the life of your dreams.
To create one, choose a bulletin board, poster board, frame with blank backing, or another surface. Then gather meaningful pictures and phrases from magazines and printouts. Collect images, words, decorations, and symbols that represent personal aspirations, such as your goals, values, affirmations, or future plans.
Alternatively, you can hand-draw these images or write inspirational words, motivational phrases, and meaningful quotes. Finally, arrange them carefully and glue them to your selected craft surface for display. Placing your vision board where you’ll see it daily fosters reflection, focus, and positive goal setting.
71. Try a woodcraft or simple DIY project:
Whittle the hours away this winter by making or building something creative with wood. Making woodcrafts, wooden toys, and simple DIY projects, such as a bird feeder, teaches basic woodworking skills and promotes creativity and problem-solving. Using simple tools and materials, makers can craft functional or decorative items while learning about measuring, planning, and safe tool use. These projects help strengthen hand-eye coordination, patience, and understanding of how things are built. Woodworking projects also foster a sense of achievement, as raw materials are turned into useful objects through careful effort and mindful design. Here are a few simple projects you can make with wood:
- Tetris-Inspired Puzzle Cube
- Waldorf Square
- DIY Building Blocks
- How to Color Wood
- Acorn Dolls
- Rainbow Peg Dolls DIY Toy
72. Write letters to loved ones:
As colder weather creeps in, people tend to stay indoors. Writing letters to family, friends, and loved ones in the winter is a meaningful way to stay connected during a season often marked by distance and quiet reflection. Include updates about the holidays, reflections on the year, or simple words of thanks or encouragement in your letters and cards. Writing and receiving a handwritten letter can be especially reassuring during darker months. This more personal form of communication reminds loved ones that they are remembered and valued.
73. Make a family recipe book:
Creating a family recipe book is a practical way to preserve culinary traditions and shared memories across generations. Making one typically involves collecting favorite recipes from relatives, recording ingredient lists, preparation steps, and personal notes or stories connected to each dish. A family recipe book helps ensure that traditional meals are passed down and aren’t lost over time. Create a digital version to share, or one that can be easily printed for each family member. A family recipe book makes a great DIY holiday gift. Get started on your family recipe book today!
74. Decorate a planner or journal:
Decorating a planner, journal, or notebook is a creative winter activity for all ages. Use stickers, embellishments, and hand-drawn or painted elements to create unique, personalized designs you enjoy, or that reflect the primary theme of the journal, planner, or notebook. For example, decorate a homemade nature journal with animals and simple nature designs, such as leaves or flowers.
75. Make a winter fairy garden or wonderland small world:
Here’s a fun idea for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and the young at heart. Create a winter fairy garden, sensory play toy, wonderland small world, or a combination of all three! Use the step-by-step tutorial on Rhythms of Play to create a winter wonderland for children to play with. This winter fairy garden does not need plants or soil; instead, it uses sensory play materials. If fairies aren’t your children’s favorite, add woodland animals, or other winter characters they enjoy, such as snowman crafts or Frozen movie figurines.
76. Create heart arts and crafts:
Since Valentine’s Day falls in mid-February, heart crafts and art projects are perfect winter activities for kids and adults of all ages. Make surprise watercolor heart art, create a raised heart art salt painting, craft thumbprint heart magnets, or explore this collection of heart art projects, crafts, and painting ideas. You might also enjoy looking at these keepsake gift ideas for Valentine’s Day.
Winter Food and Drink Fun (77-90):
Creating food, making treats, and spending time in a warm kitchen are ideal ways to pass the time on a cold winter’s day. Here are several winter food and drink activities to enjoy:
77. Enjoy a Winter Solstice Feast:
Host or attend a winter solstice feast to celebrate the start of winter. Prepare a soup, stew, or a dish made with root vegetables and other seasonal foods to share. Visit the farmers’ market to collect locally grown and raised foods to prepare. Alternatively, ask guests to bring seasonal, locally sourced foods to share. Once the food is ready and guests are assembled, light some candles, and enjoy a night of feasting and merriment. Visit this article about the winter solstice to learn more.
78. Bake a tasty treat:
Not many children will turn down this yummy winter activity. Invite children to bake sweet bread, cake, cinnamon rolls, homemade pies, Christmas cookies, or any other tasty treats to check this fun winter idea off your bucket list.
79. Enjoy a warm peppermint drink:
Is there anything better than a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream, a white chocolate peppermint mocha, peppermint tea, or a simple peppermint coffee on a cold winter’s day? The soft glow of a warm fire, a cozy blanket, and a loved one to snuggle with under it–or a book? Yeah, I agree! So what are you waiting for?
80. Make homemade soup:
There’s no better time of year than winter to prepare comforting soups together. Collect your favorite recipes to share, try some new ones, and decide which you would like to include in your usual soup recipe rotation.
81. Cook winter stews, casseroles, and crockpot meals:
Cook hearty, nutritious winter meals to keep warm on cold winter days. Hearty meals such as winter stews, casseroles, and crockpot dishes provide the sustenance, calories, and warmth the body needs when temperatures drop.
82. Create a hot chocolate bar:
Set up a hot chocolate bar to create customizable hot drinks with different flavors, toppings, and additional elements like marshmallows, stirring sticks, and chocolate sprinkles. Visiting a hot chocolate bar to make something warm and sweet is a delicious winter activity for all ages. Drinking it after a day in the cold warms the soul. Try preparing hot chocolate from scratch with cocoa powder, milk, and sugar instead of a packet. You can experiment with flavors such as peppermint, vanilla, or cinnamon. Adults can use coffee as the base for their goodies, if preferred, instead of hot chocolate.
83. Bake gingerbread:
Making gingerbread is a classic winter baking activity for young and old alike. Use your family’s favorite recipe and some cookie cutters to make homemade gingerbread men. Or, bake the wall and roof pieces you need to build a gingerbread house with this house kit.
84. Decorate cookies:
Baking cookies is one thing, but decorating cookies is a totally different winter food activity. The most common holiday cookie for decorating is a sugar cookie. These popular Christmas cookies are most often decorated with royal icing. Decorate cookies this winter to check this tasty activity off your list. It’s fun for children and adults of all ages to get creative with icing designs, colors, patterns, and different types of sprinkles.
85. Enjoy a tea party or tasting:
Have a tea party or a tasting. For young children, having a tea party is usually an imaginative activity done solo or with friends, with or without a toy teapot and teacups. However, a teapot, cups, and saucers are unnecessary for preschoolers and kindergarteners. These items and the tea itself often live solely in the imagination of the child or children enjoying the tea party. There are sets available that some children like to use, but natural items they imagine to be teacups and saucers will help children develop their imaginations much more.
For teens and adults, a tea party can refer to a social gathering for afternoon tea, common in England and the UK. This type of tea party usually features scones, sandwiches, and other treats to accompany the tea. Alternatively, host a tea tasting where guests sample different teas or coffees. Not only is this a fun activity on a cold winter day, but it’s also a great way to introduce adults to new flavors and tea varieties they might enjoy.
86. Cook as a family team:
Cooking as a family team is a fun way to get dinner on the table or make special treats. Assign kitchen duties and cooking roles to put together a family feast. Then sit down to enjoy the meal together.
87. Create your own recipe:
Invent a new winter dish or tasty treat for everyone to enjoy. This activity encourages creativity. I came up with a new recipe when I added some leftover whole cranberries from Thanksgiving to my grandmother’s pumpkin bread recipe way back when I was in high school in the 80s. I was craving pumpkin bread, and the cranberries were going to rot, so I thought, “Why not add them to the recipe and see how it turns out?” Everyone loved it, so today, making pumpkin cranberry bread is a family tradition in my house during the late fall and early winter.
88. Host a soup swap:
Share meals with others by hosting a swap. This is a common activity for cookies or soup, but casseroles would be just as appropriate as long as you make them in bulk and have enough to share.
89: Make your favorite comfort food:
Warm, hearty meals are comforting during the cold winter months. Make your favorites, and try a few new recipes.
90: Enjoy a slow, cozy meal together:
Take the time to enjoy a few slow, cozy meals together. People spend so much time racing around day to day that they neglect to spend quality time together. Since the days are shorter and the nights are longer in winter, there’s more time to languish at the dinner table and enjoy each other’s company; take advantage of this!
Places to Go in the Wintertime (91-100):
Here are a few ideal places to visit in winter, especially when the days are short and the weather is cold and harsh:
91. Visit the Library:
Visiting the library in winter offers a cozy indoor retreat during the quiet months. Libraries provide warm, welcoming spaces where people can read, study, or explore new topics while staying protected from the elements. While you’re there, borrow books, access digital resources, or attend library programs and events because they tend to be less crowded at this time of year.
92. Go to the movie theater:
Going to the movies is an excellent year-round activity, especially on hot summer days and rainy or snowy winter days.
93. Visit a museum:
Going to museums in the winter is an excellent way to enjoy artistic displays or learn something new while staying warm and dry. Most museums rotate their displays regularly, keeping things fresh and exciting every few months, so there is always something new to investigate in more depth.
94. Try indoor rock climbing:
Indoor rock climbing in winter is an excellent way to stay active when outdoor conditions are cold and unpredictable. Indoor climbing gyms offer a controlled environment with routes suitable for climbers of all skill levels, making the activity accessible to both beginners and experienced climbers alike. Climbing boosts strength, improves balance and problem-solving skills, and creates a social environment that lifts spirits during shorter winter days. Although indoor rock climbing is a sport you can enjoy year-round, it offers a fun and practical way to stay active during winter.
95. Go to a roller or ice skating rink:
Indoor amusements, especially athletic ones like skating, are excellent winter destinations for kids and adults of all ages. This is especially true when winter weather keeps everyone cooped up for extended periods. Roller and ice skating rinks offer a unique solution that keeps bodies warm, active, and joyfully engaged in a social setting during the colder winter months. Skating builds strength and endurance and improves balance.
96. Take an art, craft, Athletic, or dance class:
Get out of the house to take an art, craft, athletic, or dance class. Whether learning a new skill or brushing up on a favorite hobby or amusement, taking a class is a great way to get out of the house in the winter. Especially if you have been cooped up for a while due to challenging weather conditions.
97. Enjoy a local indoor amusement:
Most cities and towns offer unique local attractions for residents to visit for educational, entertainment, or enjoyment. Make a plan to visit a local indoor amusement park in your city or town this winter.
98. Visit a garden of lights or enjoy a Community light walk:
Many botanical centers, outdoor gardens, and other community locations put on holiday light displays in early winter. Plan to visit a garden of lights or enjoy a community light walk this winter.
99. Go to a ski and Snowboard resort:
What better time than during the winter to go to a ski or snowboard resort? Whether you drive up for the day or stay for a few days to a week, enjoy riding down snowy hills and mountains on skis or a snowboard at ski resorts near and far this winter!
100. Learn something at a science center:
Visiting a science center and other educational attractions during winter is an enjoyable way to learn something new, rather than staying indoors. Educational centers often feature interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities that spark curiosity, help visitors of all ages understand complex ideas, and encourage exploration. Going in winter can be especially fun because these centers often offer a lively environment when outdoor activities are limited.
Cozy Home Activities for the Wintertime (101-130):
Here are several cozy activities you can enjoy on your own or with others during the wintertime:
101. Plan a future trip or adventure:
Research places you would like to visit, adventures you would like to take, and holidays or vacations you would like to go on. Planning builds excitement and curiosity, and is a fun way to set goals.
102. Share a winter story:
Cuddle up to share an entertaining or educational winter story, or read a winter book aloud to your children. Here’s a great list of winter solstice books for children that offer an excellent choice–> Winter Solstice Books. My family also loves the simple stories for each season, including winter, in this treasury of short tales, stories, and fables found HERE–>Tell Me A Story.
103. Enjoy Family Movie Night:
The long dark days of winter are perfect for a family movie night–or day. Pick any morning, afternoon, or evening, and enjoy a family movie together once a week. The traditional things we do with our families give our lives meaning and make everything more fun. And, while you are at it, be sure to watch a few holiday movies.
Watching Christmas movies is another fun thing to do in the winter (even after the holidays have passed), even if you don’t celebrate Christmas. Most holiday movies share values and common themes that everyone can relate to — regardless of which holidays they celebrate or don’t. So, sit down with a big bowl of popcorn and a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy a movie night with the whole family on a dark, stormy winter’s night.
104. Cozy up by a warm fire:
Cuddling with a loved one or loved ones by a warm fire is a beautiful way to spend a stormy winter day or cold winter night. So, cuddle up by a cozy fire to check this relaxing winter activity off your bucket list.
105. Curl up with a good book:
Curling up with a good book can help anyone get through the long, cold, and sometimes dull winter days. This makes reading books a classic wintertime activity for young and old alike.
106. Build a blanket fort:
Invite the kids to build a blanket fort in their bedrooms or the living room. Making a blanket fort is an exciting indoor winter activity for kids of all ages. So, grab the fort clips, sheets, and blankets, and encourage the kids to build a blanket fort to check this idea off their winter bucket list.
107. Snuggle with someone you love:
Is there anything better than snuggling up with someone special on a cold night? Grab your kids, your huggy bear, or the whole family, and feel the warmth of their love.
108. Practice mindfulness or meditation:
Spend a few minutes every day focusing on your breathing, or just being present to what is happening now. Practicing calm breathing and quiet reflection is an excellent way for children and adults to help manage stress and emotional well-being during winter.
109. Enjoy board games:
Play classic or modern board games with the whole family or a group of friends. This winter activity strengthens bonds and encourages strategic thinking. Please visit this list of board games that won’t make you run and hide for several fantastic ideas for family game night.
110. Play card games:
Card games such as “Go Fish,” “Speed,” and simple poker games like five-card draw are easy to learn and great for all ages. Get out a deck of cards to play card games on stormy winter days and long dark nights this winter.
111. Do a jigsaw puzzle:
Doing a jigsaw puzzle is another classic winter activity for all ages. Work on a jigsaw puzzle on stormy days and long winter evenings. Solving puzzles can improve your patience, problem-solving skills, concentration, and visual acuity. They’re also a relaxing way to spend time alone or with others, or keep hands busy while listening to music or an audiobook. It’s fun to work together as a group to solve large puzzles, especially if they are made with lots of small pieces.
112. Enjoy a movie marathon:
Choose winter-themed favorite films, or a specific series of films or television shows, and watch them back-to-back. Movie marathons are ideal activities for winter break and rainy or snowy days!
113. Listen to an audiobook or podcast:
Listen to an audiobook or podcast solo or as a group. Listening to books and engaging in interesting discussions are fun while relaxing, driving, cleaning, organizing a room, making crafts, cooking something simple, before bed, or while waiting in line or for dinner to cook.
114. Try indoor camping:
Set up tents or blanket forts indoors to enjoy this home-bound twist on camping. Build a real fire in the fireplace to roast marshmallows, or tell stories around an imaginary campfire. Kids love this activity, especially when s’mores and fun games are involved.
115. Practice yoga or stretching:
Gentle movements help keep bodies of all ages flexible and strong during the colder months. Grab a yoga mat or lay a large beach towel down on the carpet to do some gentle stretches or more invigorating yoga asana sequences. If you have children, put on one of these free yoga videos for kids. Discover how to get kids started with the practice of yoga here: Yoga for Kids.
116. Create an indoor obstacle course or workout challenge:
Create an indoor obstacle course for the kids. Encourage them to run, jump, spin, climb, crawl, and do sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, etc., on a set course that can be repeated as often as they like. This indoor activity will help children expend excess energy and improve their physical fitness. Adults can create goals or workout challenges to help maintain their fitness levels during the winter months.
117. Learn a new skill:
Take online or in-person lessons in art, ceramics, music, dance, or technology. Winter is an ideal time to learn new skills for personal or professional growth.
118. Play cat’s cradle:
Playing Cat’s Cradle during the winter is a simple and engaging way to pass the time indoors or while riding in a car to visit relatives for the holidays. It’s a great stocking stuffer, too! This simple string game promotes focus, coordination, and finger dexterity. The game of Cat’s Cradle involves creating patterns with your hands and a loop of string independently or with a partner. Its low cost and ease of play have made it a traditional pastime for generations, especially when families spend more time together indoors.
119. Learn how to juggle:
Juggling is a fun activity that brings movement indoors when cold weather limits outdoor play. It keeps hands active, minds focused, and improves hand-eye coordination and concentration while offering a playful challenge for people of all ages. Whether practicing with scarves, balls, or homemade beanbags, juggling turns long winter days into opportunities for skill-building, laughter, and joyful learning.
120. Do tricks with a yo-yo:
Add movement and skill-building to the time spent indoors with a yo-yo. Learning and practicing yo-yo tricks is an entertaining activity you can do on your own in a small space during the colder months.
121. Start or keep a journal:
Winter is the most introspective season of the year, and therefore a fantastic opportunity to start or maintain a journal. Dedicate a few minutes each day or week to honestly write about your thoughts, experiences, or observations in a journal or personal diary. Pick a format that you enjoy–such as a notebook, sketchbook, blank diary, or digital file. Journaling is an emotionally healthy habit that encourages expression, mindfulness, and personal growth.
122. Declutter and organize a room or space:
Sorting, cleaning, organizing, and letting go of unused items helps create a calmer, more functional environment that promotes mindfulness and intentional living. Decluttering a room or an area in your home or workplace can also boost mental well-being by reducing visual clutter and making your space feel lighter, cozier, and more inviting.
123. Learn magic tricks:
Practice simple magic tricks using cards or coins. Magic strengthens hand dexterity and improves confidence and presentation skills. Performing magic tricks for others and watching magicians of all ages and skill levels perform are fun and engaging activities.
124. Solve brain games or riddles:
Solving brain teasers and riddles is a great way to keep the mind sharp. These mental challenges provide entertainment and a sense of accomplishment.
125. Do a crossword puzzle or play word games:
Doing crossword puzzles and playing word games is a mentally stimulating way to build your vocabulary and improve spelling skills.
126. Practice an instrument:
Winter is a great time to learn or practice a new instrument indoors. Learn the basics or improve your skills in a local class, with a tutor, or online. Practicing regularly helps build discipline and confidence.
127. Host a sleepover party:
Hosting a sleepover is a great way to strengthen friendships and enjoy time together in the winter. Invite friends over for games, movies, and snacks like popcorn, chips, or pizza. Winter sleepovers feel extra cozy, especially when it’s cold, wet, or snowing outside.
128. Choose a word for the Year:
Choose a word to keep you focused and motivated in the new year. Learn more about choosing your word and get our printable list of inspirational word ideas HERE–> Word of the Year Ideas.
129. Set goals for the New Year:
The early winter is a great time to set New Year’s goals. Use these excellent tips to set SMART goals for the first quarter of the New Year here: How to Set Goals.
130. Let them be bored: Enjoy doing nothing sometimes:
Allow yourself and your children plenty of time to rest and recharge this season. Winter is a naturally slower time of year, and that is as it should be, because it creates the space for rest and renewal within the yearly household rhythm. Besides, it’s good to be bored sometimes. Boredom allows your imagination to come alive. Creativity is born within boredom. It’s essential to remember that not every moment needs to be filled. Nor should it be.
Boredom stimulates creativity and productivity by pushing us to find new solutions. In this perspective, boredom isn’t something to avoid but something to appreciate and create space for. When children have ample unstructured playtime, their creativity can take root, grow, and bloom. Fresh ideas, inventive solutions, and unexpected surprises often come during those in-between moments when nothing is planned.
List of Winter Activities, Arts and Crafts for All Ages:
Winter doesn’t have to feel long, restrictive, or boring — it can be a season full of creativity, laughter, and shared moments. Exploring arts, crafts, and activities that appeal to both kids and adults can turn rainy or snowy days and cold, dark evenings into meaningful experiences.
Use the Free Printable Bucket List to Help Plan Your Winter:
Having a list of activity ideas written down relieves the pressure to “figure out what to do” when free time comes up. Instead, the list becomes a gentle guide, helping you plan and stay on task, while still leaving plenty of room for downtime and spontaneity. It lets you see the season as a whole and spread activities over weeks or months, giving everyone something exciting to look forward to rather than feeling like winter is just something to slog through.
Highlight, underline, or circle favorites, add dates, or let family members contribute their favorite winter activity ideas in the provided blank spaces. On quiet afternoons or long evenings, instead of scrolling or falling into the same routines, glance at your list to pick something that fits your mood and energy level. Using this kind of visual reference makes it easier to balance busy days with slower ones, ensuring you don’t reach the end of the season wishing you had done more with your time.
Leave Plenty of Room for Spontanaity and Creativity:
As mentioned previously, not every moment needs to be filled, nor should it be. Occasional boredom is not something to avoid; it’s something to value. Create space for spontinaity and creativity by leaving room in your schedule for everyone in the family to do their own thing. When children have unstructured time, their creativity can flourish. New ideas, innovative solutions, and creative surprises often emerge during those in-between moments when nothing is scheduled.
That said, suggested activities aren’t devoid of creativity just because someone else offers them; rather, they provide a contained space where creativity can take root and grow wherever the moment leads. So, whether you’re stuck, wondering what to do on a day when the kids are climbing the walls, or planning a few outdoor winter adventures or winter crafts you’d like to do or make with your family, students, or a group of friends, well before the season arrives. The printable winter bucket list and handy, categorized checklists make it easy to discover classic, new, and exciting winter activities.
Winter Bucket List of Activities, Arts, Crafts, and Adventures:
The list of winter activities highlights enjoyable arts, crafts, and activities for all ages and abilities, so everyone can track their favorites, try something new, and make the most of the season! However, please use this seasonal bucket list as a tool to support your life, not to control it or demand that you check off every activity.
Instead, the seasonal ideas on Rhythms of Play are designed to offer suggestions when you want them, while leaving plenty of room for spontaneity. Use it to try new things, and make it a winter family tradition to keep enjoying your favorites, because that’s what making memories is all about.
Alternatively, use the printable as a list of winter activities you’d like to try, do, or accomplish in your lifetime — like a true bucket list. That said, don’t think you have to do everything on it. No one said you have to try snowboarding if you prefer skiing. And no one said you need to do either if you prefer sledding, tubing, or tobogganing. That’s why the original free winter bucket list read, “Ride down a snowy mountain.”
I expanded it to include these as individual activities, rather than the more general heading used previously, because it’s always fun to try new things that help you become a more well-rounded person or to step out of your comfort zone just for the thrill of it.
No matter how you use it or which activities you choose, the main goal is to enjoy the season and create treasured memories with family and friends that last long after winter ends. I hope these ideas help you and your loved ones enjoy everything this magical season has to offer. Happy winter, may your days be filled with wonder and bliss!
More Bucket Lists Filled with Seasonal Activities:
Each seasonal bucket list in the Rhythms of Play Learning Center is FREE! A printable bucket list is useful for planning. Seasonal lists of activities—especially those you can print and keep handy—help turn each passing season into a collection of small moments to look forward to during winter, spring, summer, and fall!
