Winter Activities for Kids: Indoor and Outdoor Ideas for Cold Days

It is barely past lunch, the sky is already gray, and someone has asked whether they can watch something. Winter has a way of stretching the afternoons, but you do not need a big plan to fill one. A walk, a paper snowflake or a project waiting on the kitchen table can be a good place to start.

Quick Answer

Pick one thing that suits the day: explore outside if the weather allows, make paper snowflakes or a card, or return to a project your child has already started. Snowy days are good for snowflake spotting, snow animals and sledding. Without snow, try a scavenger walk or head inside to paint, sew or weave. There is no need to fit everything into one afternoon.

Table of Contents

• Outdoor winter activities
• Quick indoor winter crafts
• Projects to come back to
• A simple winter‑break plan
• A few winter safety checks
• Frequently asked questions

Outdoor Winter Activities

Check the forecast and wind chill before getting everyone bundled up. If conditions are comfortable for outdoor play, choose one idea and leave time for warm breaks. Some of these need snow; others work just as well on a bare, chilly day.

Catch and sketch snowflakes

When snow is falling, hold out a chilled sheet of dark paper or a piece of dark fabric. The cold surface helps the flakes last a little longer, and the dark background makes them easier to see. Take a close look together, with a magnifying glass if you have one.

Back inside, your child can draw a flake they noticed. Broken flakes and funny clumps count, too. On a frosty morning without snow, look for patterns on leaves or grass instead.

Build a snow animal

A snowman is a classic, but a snow cat, turtle or lopsided monster works just as well. Let your child choose what to build, then help with the heavy lifting. Snow that packs together makes this easier; if it keeps crumbling, try making small shapes instead.

Keep snow structures open on top, with no tunnels or enclosed caves, and stay away from roadside snowbanks where plows pass. No snow? Gather fallen sticks and leaves to make a creature on the lawn.

Go sledding

Before the first ride, an adult should check the hill for trees, fences and other obstacles. Look for a clear, flat stopping area away from roads and water. Stay with the kids, have them ride sitting up and feet first, and use a properly fitting helmet. Follow the sled's directions for how many riders it holds.

Agree on a route back up the side of the hill so nobody walks into another sled's path. If the hill is icy, crowded or does not have a clear place to stop, save sledding for another day.

Turn a winter walk into a scavenger hunt

Look for things you might miss in summer: animal tracks, a nest in bare branches, pinecones or the different shapes of trees. Make a short picture list for younger children, or let everyone take turns choosing the next thing to spot.

Without snow or frost, look for a bird, a fallen leaf, something red and something that makes a crunch underfoot. Leave berries on the plants and admire icicles from a safe distance, without standing underneath them or knocking them down.

Need an indoor version? Hide a mitten, a paper snowflake and a winter book in easy‑to‑reach places. Set the boundaries first: nothing on stairs, near heaters, inside appliances or anywhere that calls for climbing.

Quick Indoor Winter Crafts

For an afternoon when nobody wants a big project, start with paper and markers. These are easy to set out and put away again.

Fill a window with paper snowflakes

Fold thin paper into a triangle, fold again, and cut a few small shapes along the edges before unfolding it. Printer paper or coffee filters are easier to cut through when folded than thick construction paper.

Younger children can draw the shapes they want cut while an adult handles the scissors. Tape the finished snowflakes to a window where everyone can see them. A mix of tiny, enormous and slightly wonky ones makes a lovely display.

Make a card for someone

Ask your child who they would like to send a card to. A grandparent, neighbor or friend who moved away gives the project a person to think about before you start choosing colors.

Fold a sheet of card stock, bring out the markers, and add a paper snowflake if you have one left over. Younger children can dictate a message for you to write. If you want to send a batch to a nursing home or community center, check what they can accept first.

Projects to Come Back To

Some children want to keep going until the last knot is tied. Others are ready for a break halfway through. These projects give you somewhere to pause and pick up again whenever they feel like it.

Paint a snowman rock

Start with a clean, dry, smooth rock. Add a white base, then eyes, an orange nose and a colorful scarf, letting the paint dry as its label directs between coats. Your child can choose a different face or scarf for each snowman.

Cover the table and put on painting clothes before opening the paints. Acrylic craft paint can stain clothing, and the paint in our rock painting kit is non‑washable. For help with the setup, see how to paint rocks with kids. Let the finished snowman live on an indoor shelf unless the materials are suitable for outdoor display.

Sew a felt friend

A small felt character gives your child something soft to make and play with afterward. Our North Pole Workshop Sewing Kit has eight characters to sew, including an elf, a reindeer, a gingerbread man and a teddy bear. The felt pieces are pre‑cut, the needles are kid‑safe plastic, and the booklet walks through the running stitch and back stitch step by step. When the characters are finished, the box opens into a little workshop for them to play in.

Follow the project's instructions as you go. You can help thread the needle, show the first few stitches and stay nearby as they work.

There is no rush to finish both sides in one sitting. When it is time to stop, put the needle away and keep the felt, thread and instructions together. Count needles out and back in, including plastic ones, and keep them away from younger siblings.

Weave a bracelet to wear or give

Choose the colors together and measure the wrist before starting. Our guide on how to size a paracord bracelet shows how. Work through the first few knots slowly, then let your child decide whether to keep going or save the next bit for later.

Our Paracord Bracelet Kit includes cord, buckles, charms and picture instructions for making eight bracelets. Your child can make one to keep and choose who might like another. Follow the included instructions for finishing the ends, with an adult handling any cutting or heat.

Before you put it away, point to the next knot in the instructions. It is much easier to restart when you both know where you stopped.

A Simple Winter‑Break Plan

You do not need a different activity for every hour. Keep a few choices handy: an outdoor idea for suitable weather, something quick to make, and a project your child can return to. Choose whichever fits the day.

Give each unfinished project its own bag or box. Add a sticky note with the next step, such as "Paint the scarf" or "Sew the second ear." When your child asks what they can do tomorrow, there is already somewhere to start.

Paper, tape, markers and a few supplies you already have can cover plenty of afternoons. If the weather keeps everyone inside, our rainy day activities for kids offer more indoor options.

A Few Winter Safety Checks

• Check the weather first. Pay attention to wind chill and local weather warnings. Choose an indoor activity when conditions are too cold or unsafe for outdoor play.
• Stay warm and dry. Dress in layers with a hat, mittens or gloves and suitable footwear. Change wet clothes and take regular indoor breaks before anyone gets uncomfortable.
• Take pale or numb skin seriously. Bring your child inside to warm up gently. Do not rub the area or put it against direct heat. Contact your pediatrician if pain or numbness persists or you are concerned.
• Keep outdoor play in a safe spot. Stay off frozen ponds, creeks and other natural water, keep away from roadside snowbanks, and supervise sledding.
• Put supplies away between sessions. Keep small parts and needles away from younger children, and keep paper, felt and other craft supplies away from heaters and fireplaces.

For more on cold‑weather play and sledding, see the American Academy of Pediatrics' winter safety guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can kids do in winter without snow?

Try a nature scavenger walk, make paper snowflakes for the window, send a handmade card or start a painting or sewing project. Winter activities do not have to depend on snowy weather.

What should we do on a snow day?

If the weather is suitable, choose a little outdoor play followed by an indoor activity. Catching snowflakes and then drawing them makes a simple pair. On a day when going outside is not an option, a paper craft or an indoor scavenger hunt works, too.

How long should kids play outside in the cold?

There is no single time limit that suits every child and every day. Check the temperature, wind chill and local guidance, keep an eye on how your child is doing, and plan regular warm breaks. Come in sooner if clothing gets wet or your child is uncomfortable.

Which winter crafts work for younger kids?

Try drawing on a winter card, choosing shapes for an adult to cut into a paper snowflake, or painting broad shapes on a rock with help. Choose materials that suit your child's age and keep small parts out of reach. Save more involved stitching and knotting for when the project is a good fit.

Make Something to Share This Winter

If your child likes choosing colors and making gifts, try our Paracord Bracelet Kit. For a cozy sewing project, the North Pole Workshop Sewing Kit has eight felt friends to make. Keep their work together between sessions, and let the next project wait for the next quiet afternoon. You can also browse all our craft kits.