
20 Winter Activities for the Whole Family
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The winter months are full of potential! This unique time of year presents opportunities for you and your family to bond in special ways. To inspire some holiday cheer, we’ve come up with a list of festive activities everyone will enjoy from the young to the young at heart.
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1. Have a Bonfire
Host a weekend bonfire and let your teens invite their friends over to hang out. Create a night to remember with simple touches like a winter-themed playlist, cozy blankets, outdoor heaters, and tasty snacks like hot cocoa and s'mores. Make things extra easy on yourself by setting up a low-maintenance fire pit table. There’s no need for constant cleaning or tending—everyone can sit back, relax, and enjoy a fun and stress-free evening.

2. Bring the Zoo to You
Many zoos offer virtual field trips, tours, and animal cams, which are ideal for busy families. All you need is a computer or smartphone and a solid internet connection, and your little animal lovers can visit the penguins, polar bears, and otters from the comfort of their home.
3. Build an Obstacle Course
Help your kids burn off some energy by running them through an outdoor obstacle course. Use snow or sidewalk chalk to mark paths and hurdles, and include playful challenges like crawling through hula hoops, and jumping over sticks. Add to the fun by timing their runs and encouraging friendly competition or have them work together in team relays.
4. Bake Cookies
Cooking and baking are traditions many families share. Not only do you get to eat the sweet treats, but you also get to share recipes with your children that were passed down to you. Take the fun a step further by doing a taste test outside on a POLYWOOD Kids' picnic table or dining set. And if it’s too cold, these versatile tables work just as well inside, creating the perfect spot for little ones to savor their creations.

5. Give Back
Did your kids get new clothes or toys during the holidays? Give their outgrown or unused items to charity. Encourage them to choose which items to donate and have them help you make the delivery to your preferred charity. This small act of kindness not only helps others but also creates space for your children's new treasures.
6. Create an Outdoor Reading Nook
Style a cozy space on your patio where you and your little ones can read together. Add warm blankets, plush cushions, and a comfortable outdoor Adirondack or chaise lounge to create the perfect winter reading space. Grab a thermos of hot cocoa and a stack of favorite books, and you’re all set for bonding and storytelling with your kids.
7. Read Together
Nurture your children’s love of reading with a trip to the local library. Explore winter-themed books, join storytime, or let them browse the shelves on their own. Once you've all chosen your books, head back home and curl up in your outdoor reading nook.
8. Conduct Science Experiments
Bring the lab to your backyard with kid-friendly educational experiments. Freeze bubbles in snowy weather or make rainbow art with colored water on the ground. If you live in a warmer climate that sees little to no snow, try solar oven projects or explore how ice melts with salt.
9. Go Sledding
Sledding is a timeless activity the whole family can enjoy. Grab a few sleds, find a snowy hill, and carve out an afternoon for fun-filled rides. Don’t see any snow in your climate? Opt for sleds designed for softer terrain and take your kids sledding on grassy hills or sand dunes.
10. Build a Snowman
A timeless tradition that only requires snow and creativity—and sometimes a carrot. Get the family together and build a snowman, a snowwoman, or even a snow bunny. POLYWOOD Kids’ tables add an extra layer of fun by providing a sturdy surface for crafting snow accessories like corncob pipes, button noses, or eyes made out of coal.

11. Go for a Nature Walk
If it’s not too cold outside, bundle up the family and take a walk. It’s good exercise in the fresh air, and you can search for winter birds.
12. Build a Blanket Fort
Are your kids still full of energy but it's too cold or rainy to play outside? Turn your living room into a fun-sized (and warm) blanket fort. Blankets make the ceilings, couch cushions make the walls, and your family makes the memories.

13. Plan a Winter Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of winter-themed items; such as pine cones, icicles, or animal tracks; and have your kids search for them in your backyard or around the neighborhood.
14. Make Snow Angels
Take a step back into your childhood and make a snow angel. Teach your children or grandchildren how to make them (and make sure to take pictures you can look back on later).

15. Stargaze
Winter’s longer nights are ideal for stargazing. Teach your children about the cosmos with an evening viewing party complete with constellation charts, snacks, and a telescope. Don’t forget to bundle up with warm clothes and blankets, and use comfortable furniture where everyone can lean back and look up.
16. Do a Puzzle
Cozy up with some homemade hot chocolate and challenge your family with a jigsaw puzzle. You can up the ante by breaking into teams and making it into a competition.
17. Host a Winter Movie Marathon
Transform your backyard into an outdoor movie theater. Screen wintertime favorites like Frozen or Ice Age. Stack warm blankets and pillows atop cozy deep seating chairs and serve candy and buttery popcorn to make it the ultimate outdoor movie experience that will keep everyone entertained.
18. Plan a Photography Challenge
Challenge your teens to a backyard photography contest this winter. Have them capture snowy scenes, portraits, or fun winter activities with their smartphones, and offer categories like "best snow shot" or "most creative angle." Print and frame their favorite shots and display them around your house for all to see.
19. Host a Video Game Tournament
Host a family-friendly video game tournament for a fun, competitive twist on your wintertime activities. Set up different consoles with games that are appropriate for all ages and skill levels, from racing games to strategy challenges. Make it extra exciting by giving out small prizes or medals, and encourage friendly competition.
20. Feed the Birds
Build an easy DIY bird feeder with your kids to give your feathered friends a wintertime feast. When it’s ready, hang it near your kitchen or dining room window so your family can birdwatch during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.