15 Activities to Get Out of the House with Your Kids This Winter
Parenting
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By Amanda Idleman, Crosswalk.com
February may be the shortest month of the year, but for many of us, it is the hardest month! I like to think of it as the “crash out” month, as we are all recovering from the excitement of the holidays and now find ourselves stuck indoors due to winter weather. One way to ease the pre-spring blues is to get creative and stay active with your kids, even during the cold winter months.
We must encourage our kids to see the cold months as an opportunity for unique winter adventures, not a chance for extra screen time. Staying active doesn’t have to involve planning elaborate trips for the family; just be intentional about movement and togetherness. There are many low-cost, family-friendly winter activities to add to your winter bucket list. Here are a few ideas for you to explore:
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1. Take a Winter Nature Walk
Bundle up and go outside! Allow your kids to observe nature through the winter months. Enjoy making snowballs, sledding, or hiking through the more bare trails during the cold months. Discuss how the seasons each serve a purpose. Notice that each time we go outdoors, we can observe something new about our world. Being outside is never boring!
2. Plan Some Library Adventures
The local library is a great place for year-round fun! Most libraries offer special events, clubs, and other opportunities that you can attend at no cost. Exploring books and reading together helps inspire a love of books and reading. Set a day of the week that is designated as library day and make it part of your winter routine.
Photo credit: ©Cavan Images / Jessica Mielke
3. Enjoy Indoor Swimming or Recreation Centers
Swimming is not just for the Summer. Most YMCAs, gyms, and other community recreation centers have indoor pools that you can enjoy as a family. Sign your kids up for swim lessons or for a swim team to keep them active during the colder months. Taking the kids to the gym or a recreation center is another helpful way to allow them the chance to burn up all that extra energy. At the YMCA, kids 9 and over can work out with their parents.
4. Volunteer Together as a Family
The winter months can be some of the toughest times for the vulnerable. The homeless often struggle to find warmth and comfort. Costs increase over the colder months. As we see the needs around us over the colder months, we can respond by becoming more engaged with local nonprofits and churches. Spend some time as a family working at the food bank, serving kids in foster care, or engaging in church outreach efforts.
5. Explore Museums, Nature Centers, or Aquarium Days
Find ways to utilize the attractions that are close to home. Discover what museums, nature centers, or aquariums are close to your community and make time to explore these sites with your kids. It’s amazing what you can learn just by exploring your local community. If you have the chance to plan a winter trip, choosing trips that focus on indoor learning attractions can be a great way to make amazing family memories during the colder months.
6. Try a Winter Picnic
Make the cold magical by planning a winter weather-friendly meal for the outdoors. Pack a thermos with warm soup, add some fresh bread, and head to a scenic park to enjoy an outdoor meal. Eating in a new place and in an exciting way makes the trip that much more exciting!
7. Ice Skating, Bowling, Trampoline Parks, or Roller Rinks
Indoor activities are a treat that you can enjoy as a family during the colder months, and they all offer the chance for everyone to get some exercise. If you’ve never been skating, jumping, or bowling, your kids have the joy of learning a new skill, and as they practice, they will grow more confident in themselves!
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8. Attend Community Events and Classes
Explore what your community has to offer in terms of events and classes. Churches, libraries, rec centers, neighborhood associations, and more all provide various opportunities for families to learn and grow together. Make new friendships, get out of the house, and try something new alongside others in your community.
9. Get Involved at Church
Most churches need support for weekend services and also offer mid-week small groups or evening services. Attending church is a wonderful way to grow your community and find your purpose. The weekly rhythm of attending church keeps your family connected to a faith community and helps build relationships with other believers who can support you over time.
10. Plan a Playdate
Winter is a great time to plan some playdates with friends and neighbors. Enjoying each other's toys and a change of scenery can be a great free way to get out of the house. Bring a snack, share some coffee, and allow the kids to enjoy entertaining themselves for a bit.
11. Grab a Winter Treat
The cold weather makes warm treats that much more inviting! Find a new bakery, coffee shop, or restaurant to sample this winter. We love taking our kids to restaurants that feature unfamiliar cuisine for them to experience. Introduce them to some curry, empanadas, or churros this winter!
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12. Go See a Play
See what plays are being put on at your local High School, playhouses, and more. Grab some tickets and introduce your kids to the art of theater. You may even spark an interest in the arts in your kids!
13. Explore Your Local Art Museum
Check out your local art scene. If you don’t have a museum to explore, find out what galleries, art shows, or makers markets are around. Introduce your kids to art and offer them the chance to practice their art skills at home, too!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Tom Werner
14. Go to the Movies
There are more and more faith-based movies coming out in Theaters, such as David! Plan to take the kids to the movies to enjoy some popcorn and a family-friendly movie.
Related: 4 Ways ‘David’ Recaptures the Power of ‘The Prince of Egypt’
15. Check Out the Children’s Museum or Science Museum
Playing at the Children’s Museum, or if your kids are a little older, the Science Museum, is a great way to get out of the house and learn something new as a family. Play helps relieve stress, improves brain function, and promotes creativity. These venues offer so many great ways to play, and many localities have programs that provide free or discounted entrance if you have Medicaid, making them accessible if you are in a tough spot financially.
When planning your outings, remember your plans don't have to be elaborate. Short outings, simple playdates, library trips, and even running errands count. During the years when all our kids were under five, we planned a fun, short morning outing. We returned home for lunch and rest time. This simple rhythm helped our days have a predictable shape. Giving the kids some options and allowing them to decide what activity they are most interested in trying can help get them excited about your plans.
Remember to dress for the weather, as there is no such thing as bad weather days when you have the right gear. Stock the bag with snacks, as almost as soon as you leave the house, someone is sure to exclaim that they are starving. Include friends whenever you can! Being out and about is that much more exciting when friends are along for the adventure. Winter doesn’t have to feel confining. Pick a couple of ideas to try out this month or make these activities part of your weekly rhythm until warmer weather comes and more possibilities unfold.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Jon Hicks
