Winter Activities For Kids

Now that winter’s settling in, juggling work and homeschooling can be a challenge for moms.

If you’re on the lookout for engaging winter activities for kids, especially when you’re a working homeschool mom like me in chilly Nova Scotia, Canada it can be tough.

A list of easy, fun, and affordable ideas for your kids can really save your day!

Winter is a season of joy, but for working homeschool moms, it comes with unique challenges. Let’s explore some activities to make this winter both educational and enjoyable for your kids.

Confession: I am a list maker. I love creating lists of activities for my kids so that when I have a busy day and they need something fun to do, I pull out a list, and they pick an activity.

I don’t have to think about it. I don’t have to stress about it. If you want to start with fun, quiet activities for kids, sign up for this done-for-you list.

When the snow first falls, it can be pretty exciting. But after a few cold, grey days, that excitement wears off.

This is when a list of winter activities really comes in handy! Let me share with you a few of our favorite indoor and outdoor winter activities for kids.

Being organized is a game-changer for busy moms. Craft a list of activities, making it your go-to resource for those hectic days.

9 Winter Activities For Kids

If your kids love to be outside in the winter, be sure to bundle up!

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing” –Alfred Wainwright

We like super warm socks, mittens, and the little heating packs you can toss in your kid’s boots or mittens if they get super cold.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

MCTi Kids Mittens Waterproof Winter Ski Warm Sherpa Lined Long Cuff with String Red XXXSHotHands Hand Warmers – Long Lasting Safe Natural Odorless Air Activated Warmers – Up to 10 Hours of Heat – 40 Pair

 

Below, I’ll include the winter activities for kids and a few learning resources for you in this list.

If you live in a state or province where you must log your homeschool hours or days, you can count the time in your homeschool time log.

Remember, as you go through this list, not every winter activity will be a hit with your kids. Some kids love being outside in the cold weather, while others would rather sit inside and do crafts, that’s okay!

I like to invite my kids to go through the list with me and pick a few new things to try!

Go Ice Skating

Bundle up and hit the rink or find a safe pond nearby. Ice skating isn’t just fun; it’s a fantastic family exercise that improves balance and fearlessness in kids.

Educational Resources:

• Learn the history of ice skating
• Play ice skating party games
• Learn how to ice skate

I am actually not a fan of skating, so I grab a cup of coffee and cheer my kids on! They get some exercise, and I get some much-needed downtime.

Make Peppermint Bark

If your kids love making treats, this is the perfect winter activity!

Peppermint candy is fairly easy to find this time of year, and most recipes are kid-friendly.

Peppermint Bark Recipes:

• Almost-Famous Peppermint Bark
• Peppermint Bark Recipe (Dairy-Free)
• Peppermint Bark (Vegan, Paleo)
• Homemade Vegan Peppermint Bark (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)

Don’t forget to supervise younger children while in the kitchen and ensure they have the cooking skills to complete the recipe.

I used an online program to make sure my kids knew how to cook. You can read my Kids Cook Real Food Review.

Create Paper Snowflakes

Learn how to create paper snowflakes with your kids.

For this winter activity for kids, you’ll need basic art supplies such as paper, scissors, and a printer to print out the templates.

Crayola Construction Paper 9Prang (Formerly SunWorks) Construction Paper, White, 9Fiskars Kids Scissors, Scissors for School, Safety Scissors, Blunt Tip Scissors, 5 Inch, 3 Pack, Red, Blue, Turquoise

 

Instructions for different styles:

• Star Wars Snowflakes
• Cut + Fold – Kirigami Snowflakes
• How To Make Paper Snowflakes + Templates
• How to cut out a snowflake
• Snowflake Ballerinas

If your child likes to learn interesting facts, you can learn the difference between Origami and Kirigami.

Draw On Frosted Windows

All you need is a frosty window and an active imagination for this activity.

Also, a mom who doesn’t freak out about dirty windows.

When my kids were smaller, I’d pour them a drink, open a box of cookies and set them up by a frosty window.

I’d make a doodle and ask them to guess what I created. Then I’d let them loose. This inside winter activity kept them busy until we ran out of frost.

You can also use these resources to spark great learning discussions:

• Learn about frost
• Look at the frost on windows
• Frosted Window Craft with Your Kids

Learn About The Arctic

Have you always wanted to visit the Arctic?

Now is a great time to learn all about the Arctic from the warmth of your home.

Homeschooling Resources:

• Free Arctic Printables
• Arctic Images and Videos
• Arctic Adaptations
• Postcard From The Arctic

Build A Snowman or Snow Fort

Have you always wanted to build a snowman or snow fort with your kids?

When the first snowfall hits, both of my kids love making snowmen in our yard.

I wanted to share a few resources you can use even if you live in warmer climates!

• Video: How to build a snowman
• The Science Of Snow
• How To Make Fake Snow
• 25 Easy Snowman Craft Ideas
• Build A Snowman Craft

And if it is too cold outside, an indoor blanket fort will also work!

Write Some Snowy Stories

Creating our own stories is one of our favorite winter activities for kids of all ages.

Grab a favorite notebook and a soft blanket and snuggle up to write!

Winter Writing Prompts:

• 77 Wonderful Winter Journal Prompts
• Writing Prompts About Winter
• 12 Winter Writing Prompts

If you have younger kids, you can grab these winter kids activities printables.

Winter Book Club

Now is a great time to step away from the homeschool curriculum and add some fun to your day!

We love using Online Bookclubs to combine great literature with art and writing.

• Winter is Here
• Those Darn Squirrels Fly South
• A Nature Book Club About Evergreen Trees

The best thing about these online book clubs is that all the work is done for you. I just pick the book I want to do and pull up the resources on my computer.

Read A Winter Story

Is there anything better than hot chocolate and a book? I think not!

These winter books have great stories paired with beautiful drawings inside. I like to pick up new ones at the library and store them in our reading basket for when the kids come inside from playing in the snow.

Goodbye Autumn, Hello WinterAnimals in Winter (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science)The Three Snow BearsOver and Under the Snow

 

Waiting for WinterTwelve Kinds of IceWinter Sleep: A Hibernation StoryThe Mitten

 

I like to swap out our books each season.

Of course, you can always listen to audiobooks while letting the kids color or do arts and crafts if you are like me and prefer not to do all the reading aloud.

Fun Winter Activities For Kids

Winter can feel like one of the longest seasons, so it is good to have a lot of activities for kids on hand.

As a working homeschool mom, I find having a bunch of different ideas for my kids to do is a lifesaver when I need a few minutes of downtime or time to work on a project without interruption.

If you are looking for more easy ideas for kids, you’ll love my Kids Activities For Working Moms Trello Board.

Activities For Kids:

Need a few extra resources? Check out these activities for kids!

• Quiet boxes for kids
• Winter Unit Study
• Indoor Activities For Kids
• Printable Kits For Kids
• Winter Bucket List
• Screen-Free Activities For Kids
• Spring Activities For Kids

When it comes to creating your list of winter activities for kids, don’t forget to ask the kids what they want to do!

I’m always amazed at how creative my kids can be.

What winter activities are on your list this year?

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