Winter, oh winter, how much I love thee! Oh you don’t agree? Winter is so much fun! And there are so many fun activities to do in winter.
Well if you are not much of a winter person or you don’t really live somewhere winter is it’s own actual different season, than I am sorry to say this article is probably not for you!
Disclosure: This site probably contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you, please read my disclosure for all the boring stuff.
That’s okay, I know there are plenty of winter enthusiasts out there that love winter as much as I do! Woot! Woot!
Winter gives us a whole new repertoire of activities that we can participate in which are typically specific to this season only. That’s why winter is so special. You cannot just do these fun things any old time of year. Unless you live somewhere cold 24-7. Then game on!
In case it is not obvious I split my list in half. Half of the fun things are for indoors and half of them are for out of doors. So, enjoy and hopefully you can find something new and exciting to try.
11 Outdoor Winter Activities
Ice Skate at an Outdoor Rink
This is by far the best outdoor winter activity that you can participate in. It allows you to do something in the open air the way it was meant to be. Not inside of a smelly hockey rink.
You can skate around a pond (preferably) or outdoor rink and feel the cool fresh air on your face.
If you do not live anywhere where it is cold enough to skate on a pond. I know there are plenty of cities that have an outdoor rink in one of their local parks or even a pop up one that you can visit. They are not “real” ice experiences but still just as fun because it is outdoors.
Snowshoe Hike
A snowshoe hike is another fun and easy activity that you can do alone or with friends. You can purchase some great snowshoe sets that come with poles and shoes that are easy to use.
Check out this set that even comes with waterproof leg gaiters!
I have never used waterproof leg gaiters but they look pretty cool and sound important if you don’t want to have wet legs!
Bonfire
I love bonfires on cold, snowy nights. They are so magical. So bundle up and find some dry wood (that is not wet from snow) and get that fire started.
You can definitely enjoy this activity with friends and hot drinks, which would be amazing! Don’t forget the marshmallows!
Even if you do not have your own bonfire spot, you can find some around town I am sure. I know when we visit our local downtown they have little bonfires set up for people to get warm while running in and out of shops.
Winter Photo Shoot
This activity might be a little bit more complicated especially if you can’t find someone willing to actually shoot the photos. However, if you have a smart phone or a camera with a timer you could just take them yourself!
These photos will be beautiful and the memories of actually taking them will probably last a lifetime.
And you can use these to change out your regular photos on the wall which will provide you with seasonal pictures! So find a beautiful local park or another amazing wintery scene and bust out that camera!
Build a Snowman
A classic wintertime activity that is fun for the whole family. You can build a whole family of snowmen or get creative and make a snow penguin or snow dog.
The possibilities are really endless when you have the right conditions. Snow obviously required.
Toboganning or Sledding
I know these are two different things to do but they are similar in the sense that you need a big hill and some type of vehicle.
Toboganning usually involves some type of wooden sled or boat that you can ride down a manmade route. There are a lot of locations that have these types of hills that you can rent the sled and go up a set of stairs or escalator to the top. Better with a friend to help you carry the sled.
Sledding is usually with a plastic sled and you find the nearest snow covered hill and throw yourself and your sled down it. Preferably with you on the sled of course.
This is a free activity and there are typically no stairs or escalators to get back up to the top of the hill. So you will have to hoof it!
Either activity is a blast make sure you have some type of scarf or gaiter for your face so you do not get wind-burned. That will hurt a lot!
Snowboarding or Skiing Lessons
I know that not everyone will be able to participate in this next activity due to location. However, if you do get to travel a little and try one of these out I definitily say go for it.
They are fun and you usually can rent the equipment you need so you won’t have to spend a fortune on gear you may only use once.
And really how many times can you say you got to go snowboarding?! Who knows maybe you will find a secret talent and do it all the time!
Outdoor Hot Tub
There is nothing more relaxing than a steamy hot tub on a cold winter’s night. You can lay back and soak in the bubbles while stargazing at the beautiful night sky.
So you might not have a hot tub. But that’s okay you can get an inflatable one that is easy to set up and take down when winter’s over!
Click here to see how truly inexpensive an inflatable hot tub can be!
Drive a Snowmobile
Renting a snowmobile and driving on a snow-covered trail is an awesome winter activity. In the north you can find a lot of snowmobile appropriate trails that have plenty of nearby rental places.
Even if you don’t want to rent one, find a friend who has a couple and go out riding with them. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to spend some time outside with friends.
Sleigh Ride
If you have never ridden in a horse drawn sleigh then you are missing out! It so much fun especially when the ground is covered with that white fluffy stuff.
It takes you back to times when it was most common to be pulled by horses and has a romantic feel to it. All snuggled up under a wool blanket and sipping on some hot cocoa. Really what more could you ask for?
So grab a loved one, or even someone you sort of like, and find a sleigh ride near you.
Camping
This last outdoor activity is probably one you never even thought of doing in the winter. Camping is such a fun summer thing to do, why not make it a winter pleasure as well?
There is plenty of gear to keep you warm, safe and dry while out camping during the cold season. There are also places that you can go hiking and camping either with a guide on your own.
For people who love camping, who knows this could be your favorite time of year to camp!
Here is a handy winter tent you should try out and make winter camping your thing.
10 Indoor Winter Activities
Have a Pajama Day and Binge Watch Netflix
This could be my absolute favorite indoor activity. Staying in my pajamas all day and binge watching the newest show on Netflix.
You have no cares in the world except how many episodes you can fit in before dinner. And if you have a fireplace turn that guy on and stay toasty warm all day! Perfect!
Go to a Hockey Game (indoors of course!)
Hockey is obviously the sport of the winter season. So why not partake in a little ice action, indoors. Most cities have a minor league hockey team and if they don’t search out your local high school team.
Hockey is the only sport that I know of you can yell, heckle the other team, and boo and not get kicked out! It’s a great place to let out some aggression, especially if you have been cooped up inside all winter.
So bundle up with your hat, scarf, and mittens and go cheer for the winning team. Or the losing team whichever you prefer!
Read a Book Series
I know what you are thinking, I don’t have time to read one book let alone a whole series! Well that might be true but I’m not asking you to read them all at once! So before you completely throw this idea out the window lets talk about it.
Reading a good book and wishing it never ended is why reading a series is so much fun. Plus, you can keep going if you already own the whole series. You do not have to wait to find out what happens next.
And there is a series in nearly every type of genre from mystery to romance. So I guarantee once you start one you won’t be able to stop until you finished the whole set! It’s just like potato chips but better for your midsection! Just trust me!
If you are not sure if you will like the series you can always check out the first book at the library and then if you fall in love purchase the set.
Here is an awesome series that I read and couldn’t put down until I was finished.
Watch the Latest Movie at a Theater
This one is simply to get you off of your couch and out of your house. Much like going to a hockey game you can do a fun winter activity indoors, just not at your home.
So instead of binge watching netflix or all the newest movie downloads, why not go to a theater. You can get a large buttery popcorn, a giant soda, and maybe some nachos and watch the newest movie on the big screen.
They even have those theaters with the reclining chairs that you can kick your feet up and relax just like you are at home. Just don’t fall asleep the other people in the theater might not enjoy listening to you snore!
Try a New Recipe
This is a great idea especially if you are feeling in a menu slump. I know for a lot of us we get stuck in cooking the same old stuff because that is what we or our families like.
So this time find something new. It doesn’t have to be exotic or fancy just a new spin on a an old favorite.
Or cook it in new way using different ingredients. I know Pinterest is a great place to find some yummy recipes.
Plus, these new air fryers are all the rage in cooking now, click here to get your very own.
Make Homemade Hot Cocoa
Hot chocolate is a wintertime favorite. So why not make your own? It can be pretty easy to do and taste waaaayyyy better than those powder mixes you can buy at the grocery store!
So find a delicious recipe and whip up some of your own. And why not sit cozy by the fire and read that book from that series you picked out earlier!
Check out this recipe for yummy hot cocoa!
Paint and Wine Night
This is another hot trend recently. People go to places called paint and wine studios. They take their friends, an adult beverage or two and some snacks. The studio provides all the art materials needed for the project.
It’s like a fun night out with your girlfriends but you are making something cute and crafty for your house or office.
This can even be done at your own home. You can buy art supplies in bulk and have everyone bring an appetizer and drink to share.
There are plenty of totally adorable projects out there on Pinterest that you can recreate to your own liking.
Create Picture Albums
What happens to all of those pictures you take with your phone? I don’t know about you but I have literally thousands of pictures just sitting in my cloud waiting to be looked at.
Yes, it’s easy to find something when I am looking for specific photos like for my son’s graduation party last year. But they are not able to be seen by anyone else and we can’t even see them unless we scroll through our phone.
So, winter is the perfect time to create some picture albums that you can have printed. This is a cool way to showcase all those thousands of pictures you take every year.
Now, I am talking small. You will spend a fortune putting every single picture you took into an album. Maybe start with memorable events, a birthday party, for instance.
These albums also make great gifts. So think about your next event that you need a gift for or the next holiday coming up. Who can you make an album for?
Board Game Night
My family loves playing games. It is not rare to find us on the weekends all gathered around the table playing board games into the wee hours of the night.
So, whether you live alone or have a large family, gather some friends and schedule a board game night. Much like the paint and wine night you could have everyone bring an appetizer and their favorite board game.
Plus, there are so many different types of board games that you are sure to find one that everyone enjoys. I know my family really loves playing Taboo. Check it out here or find another game you might enjoy.
Refinish or Repurpose Furniture
This might be a little out of your ballpark, but I think you can handle it and might actually like it. But do not start with something humungous like a dresser or couch. Start with something simple like a nightstand or a side table.
You can purchase the piece of furniture from a second hand furniture store for relatively cheap. Or look around your house do you have a piece that could use a little love? Or maybe it would look better in a different color? Or it could be used as a book shelf instead of a night stand?
After you’ve chosen your piece then do some research. Make sure you are using paints and stains that work with the type of wood you have. Also, sometimes you need to sand the furniture and use glues, so you just want to make sure you have the right stuff.
Just have fun with it and you might surprise yourself!
Well that’s all for now. Hopefully you found one or two indoor and/or outdoor activities that you can do this winter.
Do you have any other fun winter activities that you like to do? I would love to hear about them. Drop me a note in the comments below.
Getting ready for Valentine’s Day? Check out my post on what to get your college or high school student that they will love.
