Outdoor Winter Day Activities

Fifty Things To do on Cold Days

© Elece Hollis

Nov 30, 2006

Can't keep them indoors another minute? Send them out with these ideas for fun activities out -of -doors. Dress them warm and let them get some fresh air and exercise. They'll come back in hungry and ready for some quieter activities. Here goes:

1. Make a snow angel by lying on your back in the snow and spreading out your arms to the side then moving them up and down. Get up carefully and see your angel with wing prints.
2. Build a snow fort. Have a snow ball fight.
3. Build a snowman. Give him a carrot nose and a hat.
4. Take a walk and look for animal tracks.
5. Play chase, tag, or hide and seek.
6. Plant pansies. They do well in a moderate climate all winter.
7. Wash the car.
8. Ride your bike or scooter or sled.
9. Jump on a trampoline.
10. Shovel snow.
11. Build an igloo.
12. Put out suet and birdseed for birds.
13. Wrap in a big stadium blanket and sit on the porch swing.
14. Bird watch.
15. Scavenger hunt for winter nature stuff.
16. Collect pinecones for decorations, fire starters, wreaths, study,src.
17. Watch the sunset.
18. Go fishing.
19. Skip stones across the pond or lake.
20. Outside a window shovel out a square spot. Plant sticks with bright colored streamers to look like flowers or "plant" a row of plastic flowers.
21. In shed or garage, repair dog house. Paint the house. Add hay for warm bedding.
22. Look for poetry or story ideas.
23. Hunt for bird nests. Note ones high in trees that you can watch next summer.
24. Take photos of trees. Compare to summer.
25. Ice skate.
26. Go sledding down a hill.
27. Shovel a path in the yard like a maze.
28. Put up a bird feeder.
29. Have a snowball battle.
30. Visit with neighbors. Drink hot chocolate outside.
31. Lick an icicle.
32. Sit in a sunny place and absorb sunshine.
33. Play with toy cars and trucks in the dirt or snow.
34. Play in the sandbox. Dig holes and build some sand castles.
35. Play expedition. Pretend you are an explorer going to the North Pole.
36. Pull someone or something in a wagon or on a sled.
37. Take a nature hike.
38. Check out last year's garden plot. How has it changed?
39. Lay on the ground and watch the sky. What do the clouds look like?
40. Draw chalk pictures on the sidewalk, if dry, or stamp out words in the snow.
41. Make a neighborhood map. Color it later inside.
42. Decorate a tree in your yard with streamers to blow in the wind.
43. Watch for animals--sqirrels, deer, cats, dogs, horses. What animals are in your neighborhood?
44. Have a winter picnic. Take along a warm sandwich and cookies in an insulated bag , cocoa in a thermos or even hot soup in a soup thermos. Take a blanket to sit on.
45. Sketch houses, barns, buildings, plants and animals.
46. Look for winter plants to look up later and study.
47. Make a list of the trees in your yard. Power walk or jog.
48. Go out at night and see the stars.
49. Feed ducks and water birds.
50. Look at Christmas lights.

Dress warm and have fun! When you are tired and chilly, head back inside for hot chocolate, spiced tea, or hot cider and rest. Try some indoor fun activities. Here are some ideas for cold winter days when you must stay inside. Some of these ideas are for warmer climates so pick and choose some for the weather where you are. Check out my weather watching articles.

Ice on Trees

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