Outdoor winter activities

In winter, the darker evenings and colder days tends to discourage us from planning activities outdoors. But getting outdoors outdoor winter activities are a good way to encourage children to be active – it is all  just a matter of dressing warmly and having fun

Have a look at our ideas for possible winter activities to do with your children.

Outdoor winter activities ideas

• Have a winter picnic. Take along a warm sandwich and cookies in an insulated bag, hot chocolate in a flask or soup. Take a blanket to sit on.
• Help your children make a map of your local area.  Using your map explore your local area
• Decorate a tree in your garden with streamers to blow in the wind
• As you explore your local area, watch for animals–squirrels, deer, cats, dogs, horses. What animals are in your area?
• Look for winter plants and trees.  Help your children find the name of these plants and trees later. Take photos of trees. Compare them to summer photos.
• Hunt for bird nests. Note ones high in trees that you can watch next summer
• Feed and water the birds.
• Go out at night and see the stars.
• Go for a family nature walk near your home to collect seasonal items that you can use in your holiday decor. If you live near a forest, the obvious choices are pinecones.
• Children are drawn to mud puddles like moths to a flame – and welly boots and a raincoat are all you need to enjoy the messy fun!
• Look at Christmas lights
• Get the children to put their paper on a trunk of a tree and using a crayon rub over the paper and look at the designs you can make.  This can be used as wrapping paper.
• Play chasing, kick the can, red rover, hopscotch and other games you remember playing as a child.  Make a list of them and let your children pick one.
• Using a torch on those bleak foggy morning and winter evenings is a safe and exciting way for children to explore
• If it snows, wrap up warm and have fun.  Make snow angels.