Are you worried about what to do with your kids during winter break? Keep scrolling for my list of winter break activities that your kids will actually like!
This list of winter break activities for kids was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Winter break is almost here, and you know what that means. The excitement of the holidays will fade, new toys will lose their sparkle, and you’ll hear those dreaded words: “I’m bored.”
Trust me, I get it.
As a family travel blogger, I’ve learned that the key to surviving winter break isn’t just keeping the kids busy. It’s finding activities that everyone actually enjoys. No forcing smiles through activities that only you think are fun.
So I’m sharing my go-to winter break activities that have saved my sanity more times than I can count. These are the ones my kids actually ask to do again.
1. Hit Up the Zoo When It’s Cold
Okay, hear me out on this one.
Going to the zoo in winter sounds a little crazy, right? But it’s actually one of my favorite times to visit. The penguins are living their best lives. The polar bears are way more active than they are in July when it’s 90 degrees outside.
Plus, there are barely any crowds. You can actually see the animals without fighting through a sea of strollers.
Many zoos keep their winter admission prices lower, and some even have special holiday light displays that run into January. Bundle up, grab some hot chocolate from the concession stand, and you’ve got yourself an adventure.
2. Go Ice Skating (Even If You’re Terrible at It)
Ice skating is one of those activities that’s fun whether you’re good at it or not.
Actually, sometimes it’s more fun when everyone’s wobbling around together.
Most cities set up temporary ice rinks during winter break, even if you live somewhere that never sees snow. Check your local community Facebook groups to find the nearest one. Or search for “ice skating near me” and see what pops up.
No ice rink nearby? Roller skating works just as well. The point is getting out of the house and doing something active together.
Pro tip: Bring your own gloves. The ones they sell at the rink are always overpriced.
3. Set Up an Epic Hot Chocolate Bar
This is hands down the easiest way to make your kids think you’re the coolest parent ever.
Make a big batch of hot chocolate and set out all the toppings. Marshmallows (the big ones and the mini ones), whipped cream, chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, caramel drizzle, sprinkles. Whatever you’ve got in your pantry.
I love using this hot chocolate station kit from Amazon because it comes with everything you need, including the cute mugs.
Set it up before a family movie or a cozy breakfast. The kids love the feeling of making their own creation, and you get major bonus points for minimal effort.
4. Have a Craft Day (But Make It Easy on Yourself)
I used to think craft day meant pulling out every single art supply we own and letting chaos reign.
Now I know better.
The secret is getting a craft kit that comes with everything you need. No scrambling to find glitter (which you’ll be vacuuming up for weeks). No realizing you’re out of glue sticks halfway through.
Some of my favorites for winter break:
- Rock painting kits (bonus: the glow-in-the-dark paint is so cool)
- Crystal growing kits (a little science mixed with art)
- Friendship bracelet kits (perfect for tweens)
- Sun catcher kits (gorgeous results every time)
While you’re crafting, this is also the perfect time to make thank you cards for all those holiday gifts. Print out a few photos of the kids with their presents, and boom. You’ve got personalized cards that grandparents will actually keep forever.
Need cookie decorating supplies too? These cookie decorating kits make it super easy to let the kids go wild without making a huge mess.
5. Volunteer as a Family
This is one of those activities that sneaks in a life lesson without feeling preachy.
Look for volunteer opportunities at your local food bank, animal shelter, or community center. A lot of places have special family volunteer days during winter break.
My kids love volunteering at the animal shelter because they get to play with dogs. I love it because they learn about giving back without me having to lecture them about gratitude.
It’s a win all around.
6. Get Outside (Yes, Even in Winter)
I know, I know. It’s cold out there.
But getting outside does wonders for everyone’s mood. Fresh air helps kids burn off energy, and honestly, it helps parents remember why we like our children in the first place.
Go for a nature hike. Build a snowman. Have a snowball fight. If you live somewhere without snow, just bundle up and go for a walk around the neighborhood. Check out my favorite winter hiking spots if you want to make it a bigger adventure.
The key is dressing warm enough. Layer up with good thermal underwear, and suddenly 30 degrees doesn’t seem so bad.
7. Have a Movie Marathon (Guilt-Free Screen Time)
Look, we all try to limit screen time. But winter break is the perfect excuse to have a family movie marathon.
The trick is making it feel special instead of just parking them in front of the TV.
Let each family member pick a movie. Make it a whole event with blankets, pillows everywhere, and lots of snacks. Stay in pajamas all day if you want.
Some of my family’s favorites:
- All the Harry Potter movies (this takes up a whole weekend)
- Marvel movies in order
- Classic holiday movies that are still up on streaming
- Disney classics that you haven’t watched in years
Grab some movie theater candy variety packs from Amazon to really make it feel like the real deal.
8. Plan a Family Game Night
Board games are having a serious moment right now, and they’re so much better than the Monopoly marathons we remember from childhood.
There are tons of new games that are actually fun for both kids and adults. No one has to pretend to enjoy themselves.
Here are some that work great for mixed ages:
- Ticket to Ride (even 6-year-olds can play)
- Sushi Go! (quick and adorable)
- Codenames (perfect for bigger groups)
Make it a regular thing. Pizza, games, and quality time without phones.
9. Create a Family Scrapbook or Home Movie
Remember all those photos sitting on your phone that you keep meaning to do something with?
Winter break is the perfect time to actually print them out and make something with them.
You can go old school with a physical scrapbook (grab a scrapbooking kit that has everything), or make a digital photo book through one of those online services.
Or here’s a fun twist: make a home movie.
Let the kids dress up and act out their favorite story. Record it on your phone. Years from now, you’ll treasure having this goofy footage of them being silly and creative.
If you want professional photos during your winter adventures, I always recommend Flytographer. They connect you with local photographers in any city, and you can save $20 when you use my link. It’s perfect if you’re planning any winter break trips.
10. Take a Winter Break Trip
If you really want to make winter break memorable, take a trip.
It doesn’t have to be anything huge. Even a weekend getaway to a nearby city can feel like a big adventure when you’re breaking up the winter routine.
Some of my favorite winter break destinations:
- Theme parks: Winter is actually the best time to visit places like Disneyland, Disney World, and Legoland. The crowds are smaller, and the weather is perfect. Check out my free planning courses for Disneyland, Disney World, and Legoland.
- Beach destinations: Hawaii, Cabo, and Puerto Rico are gorgeous in winter. Escape the cold completely. I have free email courses to help you plan trips to Hawaii, Cabo, and Puerto Rico.
- City adventures: NYC is magical in winter with all the decorations still up. Same with other big cities.
Find great deals on hotels through Expedia, and book tours and activities ahead of time on Viator or GetYourGuide. Pre-booking means you won’t waste vacation time standing in lines or trying to figure out what to do.
As a family travel expert, I always tell people that the best winter break trips are the ones where you have a loose plan but leave room for spontaneous fun.
Making Winter Break Actually Fun
The truth about winter break is that you don’t need to fill every single second with activities.
Some downtime is good. Let the kids be bored for a minute. That’s when creativity happens.
But having a few solid activities in your back pocket makes a huge difference. It gives everyone something to look forward to and breaks up the monotony of being home for two weeks straight.
The activities that work best are the ones where everyone participates together. Not the ones where you’re managing everything while the kids just consume. Get messy with crafts. Be terrible at ice skating together. Laugh at each other during game night.
That’s what they’ll remember years from now. Not the perfect Pinterest-worthy moments, but the time you spent together having fun and being present.
Looking for more post-Christmas content? Find out how to store Christmas decorations and how to store Christmas ornaments.
