Autumn just started and yet, winter is just around the corner. The weather fluctuates from an oven to a freezer. Whether you’re stuck indoors with a cold or snowed in, or able to play outside, here’s a list of 50 activities you can do indoors and out, regardless of age.
Outdoor activities:
1. Snow sculptures.Take snowman making to the next level. Make snow people, like snow women or snow babies. Make snow animals like cats or dogs or even a lion. Or design an abstract structure and erect it out of the snow. Dress your snow people in clothes. Try to break the world record for the tallest snowman.
2. Igloos and snow forts. I used to make them all the time. Build a snow fort to last as long as the snow lasts. Make it big. Make it huge. Invite friends and hang out inside your igloo or fort. Or build two forts, and have a snowball war between the two.
3. Snow castle. The sand castle of the winter. Rather than decorating it with seashells, use things like fallen branches and leaves and rocks. Break out the building tools – buckets and pails. It’s not just for the beach.
4. Sledding. It isn’t just for kids. But if you really don’t want to sled, go skiing or snowboarding. I’ve only been skiing once. I was maybe about 5 years old and I couldn’t stop falling before I even started down the hill, so I ended up skiing on my butt. My little brother found it hilarious so we went butt-skiing for a day. It’s lots of fun. Growing up, I had a hill in my front yard and my brother and I made a snow ramp and went sledding and snowboarding off it.
5. Ice skating. I miss ice skating so badly but when I was able to skate, I was really good. I wish I could’ve been able to take figure skating lessons and try out for an ice hockey team. I always did free skating when I was at camp. If you are able to ice skate, do it all you can and don’t take it for granted.
6. Have a picnic! Yes, I know this sounds totally ridiculous. In an episode of “Boy Meets World:” “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter,” Shawn Hunter sets up a cute outdoor picnic for Dana Pruitt, to prove that he was really listening to her when she told him what she likes. She was surprised that he decided to have a picnic in the snow, but it made for an adorable story. Of course, if you’re a single Pringle, you can still have a fun outdoor picnic with friends. Just bundle up and bring hot soup and tea and hot cocoa, and tons of blankets. Maybe even start a bonfire!
7. Take photos. The world is beautiful year-round. Capture pictures of the leaves falling, of the snow collecting on the ground, of your snow creations. Live in the moment but snap the picture that’s worth a thousand words.
8. Snow paint. Take bottles of water and add food color, and spray your concoction on the ground. Make pretty art.
9. Hot tub. I remember the first time I used my hot tub when it was snowing. My water froze and so did my hair. It’s nice though, to relax and warm up as the snow falls all around you. Don’t forget to look out for shooting stars!
10. Decorate. Make a wreath. Adorn your wreath with pinecones and ribbons. Cut snowflakes out of paper and pour glitter all over them. Decorate the Christmas tree or Menorah or other holiday-related items. Don’t forget colored lights!
11. Shopping. Donate all of your old winter (and even summer) clothes. Buy more. Or, you can even buy fabrics to make more. Stock up on wool and velvet!
12. Caroling. Yeah, I get it, it’s unpopular. But it’s also fun. Though, if you don’t want a door slammed in your face, ask to do it at your local mall.
13. A snowball. Yes, just one. Make it as big as humanly possible. I did this for my twelfth birthday. It was so big I was able to fit five people on it and we took a bunch of cute pictures.
14. Go for a walk. Before the snowfall, bundle up and go for a walk, alone, with friends or family, or bring your dog. Feel the cool breeze hit your face. Breathe in the cold air. Then, when you get back home, sit on the porch and sip hot cocoa or hot apple cider. If you have hot cocoa, fill the cup with marshmallows, whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, and even a cherry on top.
15. Footprint designs. Shuffle your feet around in the snow until you write a message or doodle a pretty design. Hearts, stars, swirls, etc.
16. Frozen water balloon toss. Fill up the water balloons, leave them in the freezer until solid, then do a water balloon toss.
17. Bonfire. Year-round, bonfires are always great. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Make s’mores. Get toasty in front of the fire.
18. Layers! This is a fun game to play indoors or out. Start with a pair of pants and a long sleeve shirt (or start off with long johns instead). See how many shirts, sweaters, coats, pants, socks, hats, scarves, and gloves you can put on. Race your friends by getting the same amount of clothing articles for all players, and seeing how long it takes to put them on and take them off.
19. Make a bird feeder. Fill it with birdseed for all those birds and animals that don’t migrate.
20. Blow bubbles. If it’s cold enough, the bubbles should emerge from the bubble wand and freeze.
21. Snowball dodgeball. Same rules as a typical dodgeball, but with snowballs. Bonus tip: using food coloring to dye your snowballs makes it more fun.
22. Winter festival. Check out the nearest winter festival in your area. Most have winter games and competitions, maybe a ball, and, of course, ice skating.
23. Sports. Soccer, baseball, softball, ultimate Frisbee, basketball, etc. Try playing them in the snow. See which ones are more fun and which ones are more challenging.
24. Snow cones. Scoop up some fresh snow from the ground (make sure it’s not yellow!) and use food dye or flavoring to make it tastier.
25. Haunted houses. They’re not just for Halloween. Or, if you prefer, go to a mansion and get a tour.
Indoor activities:
26. A theater performance. Go see a play, or write one of your own at home and perform. Maybe even make it a puppet show.
27. A movie. Again, either go to a theater or make one of your own. Have a movie marathon at home.
28. Read. What’s better than to spend a day under a blanket, in front of a fire, sipping hot cocoa, and reading?
29. Poems. Read and write poetry about winter. Getting inspiration from nature is easy, or think of inspiration from something else, for more of a challenge.
30. Make popcorn. Eat it or string it on a tree. Warm, buttery popcorn always tastes nice on a winter day.
31. Make clothes. As previously mentioned, making clothes is a fun alternative to shopping. Learn how to knit, sew, or crochet. Making scarves, hats, gloves, socks, and quilts or blankets is popular.
32. Puzzles. Try for a 100 or 1000 piece puzzle. Winter themed or not, they’re always fun to make. Or try brain teasers. Sudoku, word searches, crosswords, virtual escape rooms.
33. Bake. Cookies, cakes, pies – make every pastry known to man.
34. Gingerbread house. No, actually, make it a gingerbread mansion. After you “glue” it together, decorate it with every type of candy known to man. Don’t leave any empty spaces. You can never have too much candy. Then make a gingerbread family, complete with gingerbread pets. Gumdrops, licorice, and peppermints are popular gingerbread house decorations.
35. Draw. Doodle a snowy landscape or a holiday scene. Or paint. Try something new. Use water colors if you’ve never tried them.
36. Card games. Card games are always fun on a cold winter day. Learn a new one. Play go fish, old maid, or crazy eights. Or, if you’re alone, play solitaire. Play poker and use candy instead of money or chips.
37. Board games. If you’re not one for card games, board games are fun as well.
38. Start a band. Bands are fun, whether you use real instruments or if it’s an air band. Learn some holiday songs, too.
39. Put on a magic show. Spend the day learning new tricks and put on a performance for family and/or friends.
40. Lazy day. Keep your pajamas on for the day. Hang out inside and play with your pets and read and write and draw and bake. Take the day to rest and relax.
41. Play dress-up. I used to play dress up all the time, and I still do. Have a dress-up day by putting together Halloween costumes. Or make it a fancy dress-up. Invite friends over, too. Have a costume party or a masquerade ball. Take plenty of pictures.
42. Pillow fort. Admit it, we all made them as kids. Get a friend or two and create the biggest, most elaborate pillow fort and spend the day inside of it.
43. Cuddling. Whether it’s a pet, friend, family member, or SO, enjoy cuddling under a blanket and maybe in front of a fire.
44. Spa day. Because who doesn’t like to be pampered? You don’t need to spend any money. Just use products you already have at home. Take a long, hot bath. Try a new makeup style. Give yourself a facial, mani, and pedi.
45. Dinner party. Have an indoor dinner party. Maybe a fondue party or a potluck dinner party. If it’s a fondue party, don’t forget the chocolate!
46. Clean. Why wait for spring to do some cleaning? You’re trapped inside, so you may as well, right? And of course, donate your old clothes to make room for new ones.
47. Soap. Learn how to make soap. It’s tons of fun. Try making candles, too.
48. Scrapbook. The beginning of winter is the end of the year. So put together a scrapbook of all the fun stuff you did over the year. Use fancy scissors to cut fancy borders into the photos. Decorate the pages with doodles, sparkles, ribbons, buttons, and gems.
49. Dancing. When you get up in the morning, dance in the kitchen as you make breakfast. Slow dance with your SO. Gather a group of friends for a dance party.
50. Video games. A common way to spend the day indoors. Play solo or invite some friends over. Whether it’s Halo or Sims or Mario Kart. Xbox, PS, or even the Wii.
These 50 ideas are only a few of the things to do during the winter. Of course, depending on the area in which you live, activities may vary. Some people don’t have snow and can’t do things like skiing. Others have so much snow they’re snowed indoors. Or maybe you just hate the snow. Then, each state has its own winter games, sports, and festivals. Whatever the case may be, you can use this list for ideas or come up with others.
