20 Winter Activities That’ll Make the Most of the Season The Whole Family Will Enjoy These Fun Ideas

Wintertime certainly has its perks—the start to a new year, wonderful holidays to celebrate, beautiful snowy scenes (we’ll ignore the part about the shoveling for now!). But cold weather comes with its own set of challenges, like the frigid temps and temptation to hibernate (read: on the sofa in front of the fire wearing matching family pajamas). Particularly this year during Covid, when you just can’t do nothing any longer, try one (or several) of these boredom busters from our list of best winter activities.
Now we’re not saying you have to brave the great outdoors when it’s below freezing (although snow activities like skiing or sledding are always sure-fire ways to burn some energy). We’ve compiled plenty of indoor activities to keep you busy as a bee. Put on your creative hat and try your hand at easy winter crafts, like making a pretty winter centerpiece for your table or a DIY wreath to hang on your door all winter long. Update your weekly menu with comfort food recipes, and hunker down in the kitchen cooking slow cooker soup recipes and hearty casserole recipes.
When you feel cabin fever creeping in, leave the house but stay warm by visiting a museum, taking a scenic drive, or exploring other ideas on this list of best winter activities suited for kids and adults alike. Now go have some fun!
1) Watch a movie marathon.
Throw a family movie night with one (or more!) of the best New Year’s movies of all time. Craft cute movie-ticket garland, and use those holiday mugs one last time before packing away your Christmas decorations.

2) Call and catch up with friends.
No texting allowed! Hearing the sound of a loved one’s voice will warm your soul more than a steaming cup of hot chocolate!

3) Redecorate your house.
Winter is a great time to redecorate a room or two in your house. That can mean floor to ceiling, or perhaps it’s just a bedroom refresh with new linens.

4) Try your hand at cross-stitching.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, make some beautiful cross-stitch art to use for holiday decorations, crafty Christmas presents, or just to spruce up any space in your home! Check out our exclusive Country Living patterns—you can download them for free!

5) Have a family pajama day.
PJs all day? Yes, please! Host your own pajama day at home by insisting the whole family stay in their cozy PJs all day long (bonus points for matching family pajamas). It’s the perfect opportunity to watch movies, bake cookies, and play board games.

6) Pen a handwritten letter.
Even though you can call up your long distance friends and family, there’s something extra special about sending a handwritten letter in the mail. Write Christmas wishes, New Year’s greetings, or just a surprise hello.

7) Get organized.
Whip those cluttered closets and messy pantries into shape once and for all! Check out these closet organization tips to get you started.

8) Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
Gain gratitude and give back to your community this winter by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food bank. Check the organization’s Covid safety protocols before signing up.

9) Have a game night.
Gather your family for a game night with your favorite board games, puzzles, card games, and plenty of snacks, of course.

10) Take your kids on a nature-themed scavenger hunt.
Put together a winter scavenger hunt for your kids, having them check off animals, plants, and other things they’ll see along the way. For an added layer, collect items you can later repurpose (cute pine cone craft ideas, anyone?).
11) Have a DIY spa day.
Create your own homemade face masks, lotions, and soaps for a DIY spa day. This is an ideal solo activity, but if you want, get your family together for a relaxing day—we could all use one!

12) Cook a pot of chili.
Winter is chili season! Whether it’s a slow cooker recipe or an Instant Pot recipe, try a new chili recipe or go with the crowd-pleasing family favorite.

13) Spend the day crafting.
Keep spirits high before, during, and after the holidays with these DIY holiday craft projects.

14) Rent a cabin for a weekend getaway.
Live like you’re in a Hallmark Christmas movie by vacationing in a picture-perfect rustic cabin. Be sure to check out rental regulations regarding Covid before booking.

15) Take a train trip.
Snow-covered scenery makes train rides for kids and adults even more magical. Pay a visit to one of the best Christmas towns in the USA for the ultimate winter getaway. Not comfortable traveling due to Covid? Add this whimsical adventure to your bucket list for another year!

16) Build a snowman.
What’s winter without your very own Frosty the Snowman? If you’d rather tackle an indoors version of this activity, try one of these creative DIY snowman crafts so that you don’t have to worry about your creation melting.

17) Read a book by the fire.
All you need is a good book, a cozy fire, and a mountain of blankets and pillows to stay comfy until that final page.

18) Relax in a hot tub.
There’s no better time than the winter months to warm up in a steaming hot tub!

19) Send a holiday card.
Send some cheerful holiday greetings to your loved ones with one of these personalized Christmas card ideas or a New Year’s card this year.

20) Have an indoor campfire.
Move over summer! Roasting marshmallows inside by the fireplace works just as well! Think outside the box with s’mores dessert recipes with twists on the classic graham cracker-marshmallow-chocolate creation.
Source: www.countryliving.com

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