Winter is officially here and, depending on where you live, it might be unbearably cold outside. Even so, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy together as a family — indoors and out. Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity, strengthen relationships and keep everyone entertained on your next snow day.
1. Have a Spa Day
What better way to relax and unwind and than with a home spa day? Stay inside and slip into your robes or pajamas for a day of hydrating facemasks, foot scrubs and every nail polish color under the sun. This idea is especially fun for girls, but even the guys won’t be able to resist bubble face masks that turn them into the abominable snowman.
Go the extra mile and prepare some ice-cold lemon water for sipping. Light a few candles and don’t forget to slice a few cucumbers rounds for your eyes!
2. Make Snow Cream
If your go-to ice cream shop is closed for the season, try making your own snow cream. This dessert takes five minutes to make and you probably already have most — if not all of the ingredients — hiding in your kitchen. Plus, you get to go outside and play in the snow! Just stay away from the yellow kind! Red and green snow could be bad news, too.
Simply gather some of the whitest, freshest snow you can find. Mix in some milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Then, top your snow cream with sprinkles, chocolate sauce, nuts, fresh berries and any else other toppings your sweet tooth desires.
3. Go Ice Skating
Spending time outdoors is a good way to keep yourself and the kids entertained during the winter months. Plus, you’ll get some fresh air, sunshine and exercise, all of which are great for your body and mind. Make the most of your time in the great outdoors by lacing up some skates and getting out there on the ice.
Choose an open-air rink and wear a mask for maximum covid protection. Frozen ponds and lakes are good candidates for ice skating, too. However, these options should only be considered safe if you ensure that the ice is too thick to break and can provide supervision the entire time.
4. Start a Book Club
Some parents struggle to get their kids off screens and into a good book. If this is the case in your household, try starting a mini book club. Pick an age-appropriate book to read together or purchase multiple copies so everyone can follow along at their own pace. Commit to a chapter or two each week and hold short book club meetings to talk about the latest plot development.
If your little ones need more motivation to pick up a book, invite their friends to join in on the fun. Read an e-book and meet over video call to chat about it. Not only will this activity supercharge their imagination, but it’ll give them the reading comprehension and literacy skills they need to succeed in school — and in life.
5. Make Frozen Suncatchers
Do your kiddos love to play with the icicles hanging off your house? It might sound fun, but jousting with shards of ice isn’t exactly safe. Luckily, they can still enjoy the beauty and texture of ice by making frozen suncatchers.
If you are looking for safe winter activities, this is a family-friendly activity that is perfect for when temperatures dip below freezing. Simply fill a paper plate with water and have your little ones arrange leaves, twigs, acorns and other natural items on it. You can even add a few drops of food coloring to make rainbow suncatchers. Hang them from tree limbs or place them on a windowsill to enjoy until they melt.
6. Learn to Knit
Knitting is the perfect winter activity. Make blankets, hats, scarves gloves and even entire sweaters right at home. All you need is a pair of needles and lots of yarn. Who needs to go shopping for warm attire when you can knit your own, right?
Get the kids involved and teach them how to hold and use the needles to make simple patterns. Use chunkier needles so they can get a firm grip and work more quickly once they get the hang of it.
7. Bake a Sweet Treat
If you missed your chance to make Christmas cookies last year, there’s still time to bake something sweet. You might just have to think outside the box to determine your treat of choice.
For instance, instead of making cutouts, you could bake some cupcakes and invite the kids to help you frost and decorate them. Donuts, brownies and cakes are fun to make too and offer plenty of learning opportunities for curious kiddos who enjoy helping out in the kitchen.
Go with the Flow
There are so many exciting things to do during the winter months so just go with the flow and let the fun unfold. Remember that spending time with your family in safe and meaningful ways is the most important part. So practice being present and enjoy the season with these safe winter activities.
