If you’re looking for fun winter activities for families, then you’ve come to the right place. As we all know, winter is not so much about wearing sweaters as it is about being outside and having a good time together. There are a lot of outdoor things to do with your kids in winter. Here are some ideas of fun family activities that you might want to consider.

Learn to Identify Trees

Trees are among the largest plants that we encounter every day, but most people know relatively little about them. There are dozens of different types of oak trees and pine trees that each have subtle differences between them. If you are looking for something to do with your family, you can learn to identify the trees that are still green in winter. Evergreen identification can be a fun and challenging activity for your family, especially if you travel during the winter. 

Visit Fun Places in Your Town

You can have a great time visiting some of the fun places around your town. Some areas, such as those with water fountains or ponds, may look very different in the snow than they do during warmer months. There could even be some special events or spaces set up now, such as children’s museums with traveling winter-themed exhibits, snow mazes and temporary ice skating rinks. Many of these venues can be enjoyed together as a family or as an outlet for kids to burn off some energy.

Look for Signs of Wildlife

Most wildlife disappears for the winter, which makes it interesting when you can find an animal here or there. Take trips with your kids just to look for wildlife as a way of spending time outdoors. While you may not see animals directly, there are signs that you can look for that show that animals were there, such as tracks that were left in the dirt or snow.

Participate in Winter Sports

Popular winter sports include ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding and winter tubing. There are plenty of winter sports that you can participate in during the winter months that don’t require much gear and they are fun. Aside from the types of sports that you can do on your own as a family, you can play hockey in a winter league or with other families in the area. Participating in sports together can foster teamwork as you work together toward shared goals.

Play in the Snow

If you are looking for more traditional winter fun, then look no further than playing in the snow. A snow angel is a handmade snowman that you can create yourself. As long as there are a couple of inches of snow on the ground, anyone can make a snow angel. It’s even more fun when you have a snow angel building contest to see who can come up with the most creative snow angel. 

Snowball fights can also be a lot of fun. All you need to have is a couple of buckets, some snow, and a little creativity. You can buy snowballs at the store or you can just make some from a playground. When you are creating the snowball fight, it is important that you make sure that there are no trees in the way. It is best to go through the rules for the snowball fight before you begin so that you know what is acceptable and what is not.

Another fun activity is to set up a snow sculpture contest. Let the children come up with the best looking snow sculpture first and the winners get to choose a prize. The kids can also win a prize just for trying, so don’t worry about spending a lot of money buying prizes or decorations for the competitions. The local department store will have decorations that can be used for the competitions for very little money. 

Help Out Neighbors

This season can be an excellent time to focus on giving back and helping out others. Maybe an older neighbor needs assistance removing snow from their driveway. You can model the positive behavior that you want kids to see so that they grow up knowing the importance of community and taking care of fellow neighbors. During snowy months, there are many opportunities to help out your neighbors as a family, from sharing warm bowls of soup to volunteering to walk someone’s dog for them.

Freeze Bubbles

If it is cold enough outside for there to be snow, then it is cold enough to freeze bubbles. When done correctly, you can freeze a bubble in mid-air. The key is to make sure that the bubbles are made with a high water content since water will already be able to freeze in the conditions where there is snow. 

Fly a Kite

The winter makes it cooler outside, which also means that there will be more wind. It sets up the perfect conditions to fly a kite. Your kite flying is determined by how many clear days there are, but finding days with the right conditions should be relatively easy. It is a relaxing way to pass the day without too much strenuous outdoor activity.

Go to the Zoo

If you live near a zoo, one of the best times to go is in the winter. The weather is cooler, so the animals are more likely to be out in their enclosures. It is also much easier for you to make it through the day since you won’t be going in the sweltering heat. Zoos like having visitors in the winter as well since it is their off-season and your visits help with funding. 

Paint Kindness Rocks

For something that you can do at home that has a positive emotional and mental impact, try painting kindness rocks. It is an activity that forces people to think about others in a meaningful way. You can use it as a way of addressing your mental health or teaching your kids about kindness. 
These are just some of the many fun winter activities for kids that you can do this season. For when the weather is too cold to be outside, there are plenty of indoor activities that kids can participate in, such as online coding and game design classes.