Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids

Written By Flipside Creative

Destination BC | Tourism Whistler | Justa Jeskova photo

Need some inspiration for this winter?

The winter can bring lots of interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy. Get your kids all rugged up and head outside for some fun in the snow. Don’t let the cold deter you. Add some layers, and your kids will warm up in no time with all the fun they will be having.

Winter offers up activities that you wouldn’t have a chance to do any other time of year. Does your family need some inspiration on how to keep your kids entertained? Here are a few ideas to keep your days full.

Grab the sleds and find a hill

This is an activity that never gets old. Sledding is a fun and exhilarating activity for the whole family to enjoy. It is guaranteed to bring all the smiles and laughs. Nothing is better than after a snowstorm heading to a nearby hill or perhaps a gentle slope for the little ones.

Play in the snow

Let your creativity and imagination soar with this one. Head out your front door and enjoy what the snow has to offer. 

Get your kids to create their best snow angels, build a snow fort, or have a snowball fight. Painting in the snow is also another great activity to showcase creativity. Get yourself a few spray bottles and some food colouring for the kids to paint with. They can spray away and paint to their heart’s content.

Enjoy a winter picnic

Winter family walks are an excellent way for everyone to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Enjoy a walk around the neighbourhood or at your local trails. However short or long, it’s an easy way to get some exercise and burn off some energy. Another option is to grab some snowshoes for your adventure. It’s a relatively easy activity to master for various age ranges. 

Pack a picnic for the whole gang. Once you get to the halfway point, whip out the blankets, hot cocoa, and delicious snacks to fuel the walk back home. 

Skiing and Snowboarding

If you have a pass to your local ski hill, try some downhill skiing or snowboarding. If you have beginner-level kids, the bunny hills create an excellent opportunity for practicing in a safe environment. Remember to invest in a helmet to keep their little noggins safe. 

Nordic skiing, also known as cross country skiing, is another fun and inexpensive family activity. There are several cross-country ski networks within British Columbia to try, and some offer free or low-cost gear rentals to kids.

Ice Skating

Get your skates on for the perfect holiday season activity with the kids. Visit an outdoor rink, frozen lake or pond. Always check the conditions before going and whether the ice is safe to skate on. Grab the hockey sticks and puck for a very Canadian style of fun on the ice.

Shovel, shovel, shovel

The winter season can bring snowstorms that may require some shovelling. It can be an enjoyable activity to do with kids, especially if you live in an area prone to snow. Younger children love mimicking adults feeling like they’re helping move the snow. It may be short-lived, but it’s an excellent opportunity to start teaching them early.

Play at the playground or create a scavenger hunt

The playground turns into a new experience when covered in snow. Get your kids dressed in their snow gear and let them enjoy some time at the playground. Keep an eye that some sections may be more slippery than usual. Create a more organized game like a fun scavenger hunt. One of the points could be at the local playground where they have to find the next clue!

Make ice lanterns

This is a beautiful way to decorate your front porch or backyard. On a colder day, collaborate with the kids by picking out what they want to use to make their lantern. As you prep the materials, get them to gather some natural items like fresh or frozen cranberries and evergreens. To add colour, you can slice an orange or clementine. Be aware of the outside temperatures, as too warm they will melt away quite quickly.

Check out these helpful steps to create your ice lantern.  

Search for animal tracks

Have you got some animal lovers in the family?

Head outside and explore the animal prints you can find in the snow. Examine the print and see if they can figure out what animal it is. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about your local environment and what wildlife shares the neighbourhood with you. In this way, we can respect their space while also keeping ourselves safe

Snuggle around the fire

Grab the blankets and snuggle beside the warm glow of a cozy winter campfire. Enjoy the hot chocolate, break out the marshmallows and enjoy being together. If it’s too cold outside or unwinding from a busy day, your kids may enjoy some colouring. Check out this Revelstoke Be Bear Aware picture for the kids to colour in.

British Columbia is truly the ultimate playground for your kids to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor adventures. 

resources:

  • Inside Vancouver: 10 Family-Friendly Things to do Outdoors in Vancouver this Winter Break

Flipside Creative
Previous

Tis’ the Season for BC Adventures
Next

Climate change and nature connection