Fun Winter Activities With The Family

It’s winter, and love it or hate it, the world keeps going around. This can be an especially hard time for parents trying to fill the time with kid friendly activities and those long holiday breaks certainly don’t help! Despite the daunting task, take a deep breath, and remember there’s plenty of things to indoors and outdoors during the winter season! Here are some ideas for winter activities (indoor and outdoor) that will keep the whole family in fun spirits!

Indoor Activities:

Break out the Baking Stuff:

One of my favorite memories of the holidays was baking cookies with my Mom and listening to cheesy Christmas music. This activity is fun, has something for everyone, and is relatively cheap. It also doesn’t involve leaving the house! I’d say for a busy parent, this one is a win.  

Volunteer and Give Back in a Big Way:

This might not some people’s first idea of holiday fun. However, I would argue that no activity embodies the holiday spirit more than giving back to your community. Volunteering as a family can be a fun and enlightening experience and it sets a great tone about the idea of giving back. It also feels really, really, good! Some facilities may actually be inundated with volunteers around the holidays so you may want to sign up ahead of time. And remember, anytime is a good time to give back!

Visit Libraries or Museums:

In Utah we have no shortage of museums and fantastic libraries. Spend a day checking out the Natural History Museum and then dig even deeper with some books from the library. Or check out the often overlooked movie selection at your local library and have film night with the fam!

Have a Night on the Town:

Going out with the family doesn’t necessarily have to cost an arm and leg. Tried and true activities like bowling or discount movie night will be appreciated by the whole family and won’t break the bank!

Outdoor Activities:

Skiing: 

So obviously I had to mention this one as we have “The greatest snow on earth.” Skiing is a great family activity but there’s no denying it is expensive. However, if you want to hit the slopes as a family, I have a few pieces of advice. Rent, borrow, or buy used. Kids grow fast, so unless they’re skiing at an advanced level there’s no need to buy new equipment every year. Also, NEVER buy your tickets at the door if money means anything to you. There are discount tickets to almost every major resort sold at ski shops around the valley. Also check the classifieds for discount tickets. You might be surprised what you find!

Hiking:

Here’s another obvious but completely free activity. There’s great hikes all along the Wasatch and beyond. 

Play in the Yard:

When there’s snow on the ground, one of the best winter activities is right in our own backyard! Build a snowman or igloo! Make snow angels or have a snowball fight!

Get Creative: (Indoor or Outdoor)               

Make a pinecone bird feeder, a homemade thermometer, or sketch your favorite winter scene! They call it a winter wonderland for a reason. So go out and make the most of it!