“There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” – Rain or Shine Mamma

Cold weather, shorter days, and less movement.  That is what many of us associate winter with BUT there is a whole winter wonderland out there waiting for us to explore!  All it takes is some good clothing, a little patience to get the kid dressed, and a trip outside to open a whole new world of adventure for you and your kids.  Here you will find some of my favorite outdoor activities for winter with kids that’ll keep you exploring and moving.

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Winter Activity Hacks

• Get yourself ready before you get the kids ready.  That way once they are all bundled up, you can head out immediately.
• Bring a thermos with a warm drink.  It will keep everyone toasty when you start to get chilled.  We like to bring hot cocoa and hot tea on our winter outdoor adventures. I use RTIC drinkware – it keeps everything super warm and are easy to take with us.
• Eat before you go and bring little snacks if you are planning to be outside for a long time.  Hungry kids on a walk is not much fun.  When you start getting hungry too, you will feel the cold more than when you have a full stomach.
• Dress appropriately.  You do not need all the fancy layers to have fun.  Just be sure to layer!  One of my favorite tricks is to use my husband’s wool work socks on the kids as an extra layer on their legs!
• Don’t complain!  It may be cold but there is so much magic in the outdoors during winter.  A positive mindset does wonders.
• Go after naptime.  Your kids will have the energy and mental capacity to handle your winter adventure.

Winter Walks

Winter walks are one of my favorite outdoor activities and one of the easiest in my opinion.  You do not have to go anywhere other than out your front door.  Your walk can be as simple as walking around the block or you can trek great distances.  When you go on your winter walks, it is okay to start small, especially if you are working with toddlers and infants.  15 minutes in the outdoors does wonders for us.  I have found that the better bundled your children are, the longer they are able to handle your winter walk (with the exception of being over bundled…think A Christmas Story).

Winter Scavenger Hunts

Not only are scavenger hunts a great way to get outside but they add extra fun for the kids! You can print out a printable scavenger hunt or you can even make up a game of I Spy. This gets you and your children outside and helps them to hone in on their surroundings.

Grab your FREE Scavenger Hunt HERE!

Ice Wreaths/Sun Catchers

This is an amazingly easy activity to participate in during winter – even if you are not in the cold. Simply send your kids outside to find interesting things from nature (leaves, twigs, berries, flowers, etc). Then put your items in a bowl or tin, put a looped string partially in the container and freeze. You can do this outside if temperatures allow or place in your freezer overnight. The next day, you can hang your beautiful piece outside for all to enjoy!

Build a Snowman

If you are in a snowy region, building a snowman is a wonderful way to get outside with your kiddos. Let the snow build up, grab your gear to decorate, and make a snowman…or a whole snow person family!

Sledding

Sledding is easily my favorite winter past time as a child and even as an adult, it is just so much fun. My kids love it too! Bundle up, enjoy the snow, and sled down those hills!

Winter Bird Watching

This is one of our more calm activities and also one that can be done from inside. I personally think it is a great outdoor activity for kids during the winter though. Set up a bird feeder and watch all the different birds that come in. Soon your children will be able to identify them and even recognize their calls. If you are in a wooded area, you can even bring out a blanket, sit down and watch the birds in their natural habitat.

Winter Footprints

My kids love looking for animal tracks year round but in the winter, it is even more fun! We like to look on the sidewalks, our yard, and even the woods to see what type of critters are hopping through the snow…or mud! 

For more outdoor winter activities for kids, check our Run Wild My Child’s 100+ Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids.

What are your favorite winter outdoor activities with kids?  Are any of these on your list?  If you would like to connect further you can follow me on Instagram and Pinterest!