Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Audrey
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Is anyone else looking forward to experiencing all the fun outdoor winter activities? Or, perhaps, you’ve newly resolved to try and embrace winter despite being less than enthusiastic about it? Whether you’re a fan of the cold or not, outdoor play is super important for kids, even in the winter! And if you need some extra convincing, check out these awesome benefits of nature play for kids!
The only problem for us is that we’re not always guaranteed snow. As I was trying to adapt and figure out fun things to do outside without snow, I realized that there are plenty of people out there for whom snow-less winters are the norm!
If that’s the case for you, here are some of our favorite fun outdoor winter activities, no snow required!
1. Fort Building.
Building forts is one of those quintessential activities of childhood. And one of the best things about this activity is that you can do it year-round! Leafless twigs and branches just happen to be in abundance during winter, so gather these up and start building! Try out a tepee, lean-to, or an A-frame shelter.
We recently made a fort with some bushes in our backyard where we wove in some willow branches and trimmed greenery for the walls! And if you don’t happen to have an abundance of natural materials around, fort building kits like this one are also a ton of fun!
We bought one for our little guy and he’s used it inside and out! You can get creative with multiple designs and then cover the structure with sheets for a classic hideout.
2. Build a fire.
Fires are great any time of year, but I could argue that they’re one of the best outdoor winter activities since this is when we’re the most in need of the warmth and comfort that fire provides. Make sure to include hot drinks and something to roast over the fire! Hot dogs, marshmallows….popcorn anyone?
Another thing I love about fires is the opportunity to tell stories! Some of my favorite prompts for storytelling include:
- What was your worst vacation?
- What was your best vacation?
- How did you and your significant other meet?
- What’s your most embarrassing moment?
- What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
- What are your favorite stories from the good ‘ol days? (This one is especially good if grandparents are present.)
- Tell about a time you got in trouble.
This is such a great way to keep family stories alive and pass them on from generation to generation! It was also a staple of times gone by when entertainment wasn’t so readily available. Let’s bring back the tradition of gathering around the fire and practice the art of storytelling! Reading books by the fire can also be a fun idea. Here’s one book in particular that we love!
More ideas for cozy winter fires:
3. Play obstacle course backyard games.
This is a great idea for our list of outdoor winter activities because one of the best ways to stay warm outside is to get moving! Set up cones or natural obstacles to zigzag around, hurdles to jump over, tunnels to crawl through, things to climb over, balance beams to cross, rocks (or these safer indoor/outdoor stepping stones) to jump across, and so on.
Or make it a themed obstacle course! Check out how to create a pirate treasure hunt in your own backyard. Most people probably wouldn’t consider a pirate-inspired activity in the winter, but why not!? Your kids will love it and it’ll be super unique.
4. Have a winter picnic.
Do this in your own backyard or head to a park! Make sure to bring warm food and drink and a waterproof mat (or just wear snow pants). If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try actually preparing your meal outside over a fire, on the grill, or on a camp stove.
Or, if you’re going for simplicity, just bring some hot chocolate and a small snack. If you want more ideas for a simple winter picnic, read about ours here!
5. Go for a hike.
This one just never gets old! The great thing about hiking is that every season has a unique experience to offer! Winter hiking generally means no bugs and having trails primarily to yourself. Sign me up for that! If your kids are bored with hiking in general, try something new, like a sensory hike where you pay particular attention to the sounds, smells, and textures as well as the sights around you.
One thing I’d personally like to try this year is a full moon hike! Venture out on your own or search for a guided or self-guided hike at a park near you. For more winter hike ideas, check out this article from Hike It Baby!
6. Visit a botanical garden or nature preserve.
These are generally open year-round and offer a mix of outdoor and indoor experiences. A lot of them also have children’s play areas. If you’re not aware of any in your area, do a quick Google search!
We highly recommend Dow Gardens (pictured above), if you happen to be in Michigan. In fact, I wrote an entire blog post on Dow Gardens, here. It’s definitely worth your time if you plan to visit Michigan!
7. Make bird feeders.
We did this awhile back, and it’s been one of my favorite outdoor winter activities that we’ve tried! (If you missed that blog post, check it out here!) The birds in our area seemed to enjoy the pine cones that we smothered in peanut butter and coated with birdseed the best!
I love that this activity offers a DIY, the opportunity to get outside and decorate the tree, and the chance to watch the birds afterward! You can even grab a bird identification book and see if your kids can figure out which types of bird visitors you have!
8. Try cardboard box or sand dune sledding!
Sledding is typically considered one of those outdoor winter activities that can only be done with snow. And as someone who typically has winters with snow, I have to confess I’ve never personally tried this one. But I’ve heard that it works!
Which is great news for anyone who lives in a warmer climate but wants to experience one of the most classic outdoor winter activities! So go flatten out some of those large cardboard boxes you were planning on recycling and have some fun with it!
If you want some design ideas on this one, just do a quick Google search. I gotta say the images that come up are hilarious! I’m gonna have to try this one soon! And if you happen to live near sand dunes, try sledding on those!
9. Go to the playground.
Judging by the lack of people at playgrounds during colder parts of the year, I just wanted to let everyone know that playgrounds don’t disappear during the winter only to magically reappear in the springtime!😜 They are, in fact, still there! All year! It’s crazy, I know.
Admittedly, these can be a little hazardous when it’s icy out. But when snow and ice are absent, they’re a great place to take the kids (and yourself) for some fresh air and exercise.
10. Go on a nature scavenger hunt.
Since winter is the time of year that everything is dead, scavenger hunts probably aren’t typically considered when brainstorming outdoor winter activities. But I love doing at least one nature scavenger hunt per season because the things you find are so different!
In the winter, be on the lookout for things like berries, seedpods, acorns, evergreens, and dead flower stalks. Try and see if you can discover where bugs are hiding out. Pay attention to the bark on different types of trees and examine it closely with a magnifying glass. Give each child their own mesh collection bag or plastic storage container and compare what everyone gathered afterward!
I love this idea so much I wrote a whole separate blog post on it! For more winter scavenger hunt ideas and to grab my FREE PRINTABLE, check out this post.
11. Go to the beach.
It may not be quite as fun as swimming there in the summertime, but the beach is still worth a visit during winter! Fly a kite along the shoreline, climb rocks or dunes, explore tide pools, check out a lighthouse, watch the waves, or go rock/shell hunting. This abundance of activities that one place provides is why the beach makes our list of outdoor winter activities! FYI – You still might want to bring a towel or blanket and have a picnic there!
12. Fly a Kite.
Who says kite flying is only for spring? On a breezy winter day, bundle up and head to an open field or the beach to launch a colorful kite into the crisp blue sky. Just make sure you have gloves to keep your hands warm!
13. Attend a Winter Festival.
Even without snow, winter festivals are perfect opportunities to embrace the season’s magic. From ice carving competitions to light displays, these festivals celebrate the unique beauty of winter. Check your local area for events, and don’t forget to enjoy classic festival treats like hot cocoa and roasted nuts!
14. Go Ice Skating Outdoors.
Whether it’s a frozen pond or a rink in your town square, outdoor ice skating is one of the quintessential outdoor winter activities. You might think that if there’s no snow, that also means there won’t be any ice. BUT (and I literally just learned this fact recently) there are plenty of outdoor rinks that have cooling systems and are able to maintain an ice rink through the winter regardless of temperature! It’s great exercise and an even better way to spend quality time with friends or family.
15. Explore a Historic Village.
Historic villages often offer outdoor winter activities like candlelit tours, train rides, or costumed reenactments of bygone eras. Chances are there will also be fewer crowds, which is always a plus!
16. Visit a Nature Center.
Many nature centers stay active during the winter months, offering guided hikes, wildlife tracking workshops, photography workshops, and even birdwatching events. It’s a fun way to learn about how animals and plants adapt to winter while spending time outdoors. Plus they normally have interesting learning displays inside where you can warm up afterwards!
17. Learn Nature Photography.
Winter is just as good a time as any for budding photographers to practice. Grab a camera or smartphone and experiment with capturing the beauty of outdoor winter activities from unique angles. This is the camera we got for our daughter to start taking some pics of her own!
18. Snuggle Up and Read in a Hammock.
Yes, hammocks are still an option in winter! String up a hammock between sturdy trees, layer it with cozy blankets, and settle in with a good book. It’s a peaceful way to enjoy the quiet beauty of a snowy day. Don’t forget to bring a thermos of your favorite hot beverage!
19. Play Backyard Games.
Winter is the perfect time to turn your backyard into an outdoor playground. Stomp rockets, ladder toss, or cornhole can keep the whole family entertained. These simple yet active games are a great way to enjoy outdoor winter activities without straying far from home!
20. Try Street Hockey.
Gather your neighbors or family for a spirited game of street hockey. All you need is a puck or ball, some sticks, and a makeshift goal. We’ve gotten a ton of use out of this set that includes a net, two sticks, and a street ball. If your driveway or cul-de-sac is snow-free, it’s game on! This fast-paced activity keeps everyone warm and moving.
Conclusion
It’s too easy to let cold, dreary weather keep us and our kids from spending time outside. I hope this list gave you ideas for outdoor winter activities and some inspiration on how to make the most out of snow-less winter days!
Did I miss anything? What are your favorite no-snow outdoor winter activities? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for other outdoor winter activities? Check out this awesome list of winter activity ideas you can do at home with your kids!
PS – Know someone that would like this blog? Please forward it to them!
This is a great list of outdoor winter activities that don’t require any snow! I’m looking forward to trying some of them out!
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