Skiing, snow tubing, sledding and ice skating are popular activities for many families this time of year. But if you’re wondering what else you can do to stave off boredom and the winter blues, we’ve found some great winter activities for kids, from travel-inspired games at home to planning your next family vacation.
1. Go to a Winter Festival
Christmas and Hanukkah aren’t the only reason for the season! Many destinations host themed celebrations in January and February, with popular winter festivals including Winter Carnival in Quebec City.
2. Enjoy a Concert or Show
If you’re going to be stuck inside, you might as well enjoy it! Book tickets to a concert, sporting event or Broadway show.
Related: 20 Best Broadway Shows for Kids in 2020
3. Plan a Winter Vacation
You don’t have to be a family of skiers to take a winter vacation! In fact, some of the best winter vacations don’t involve skiing at all! Here are some great winter vacation ideas:
- 10 Best Family Vacations in February
- 10 Tropical Winter Vacations for Families
- 10 Best Winter Vacations for Non-Skiing Families
- 12 Ridiculously Cheap Winter Vacations 2019/2020
4. … or an All-Inclusive Vacation
Winter is prime time for all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico. Trade the cold and snow for warmth and sunshine with these all-inclusive family vacation ideas:
- 18 Best Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts for Families 2020
- 19 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico for 2020
- 4 All-Inclusive Hawaii Resorts
- 4 All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida
- 18 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the World 2020
5. … or a Spring Break Vacation
Spring break isn’t just for college co-eds. If your kids have a mid-winter or spring break, consider planning a family vacation around it. These are the 14 Best Family Spring Break Vacations for 2020.
6. … or a Summer Vacation
It’s NEVER too early to start planning your annual summer vacation. In fact, we’ve already mapped out some of the best family vacation ideas for 2020:
- 10 Best U.S. Family Vacations for 2020
- 10 Best International Family Vacations for 2020
- 10 Ridiculously Cheap Summer Family Vacations for 2020
7. Explore a New Museum
When hot cocoa and movies just won’t do the trick, pack up the kids and explore a local museum (or plan a road trip to a museum elsewhere). These are some of our favorite museums for kids and toddlers.
8. Head to an Indoor Water Park
Indoor water park resorts are typically open year-round, but the best time to go is the winter, when you can trade single-digit temps for 80-degree weather! Great Wolf Lodge is a favorite for families, with locations across the U.S. (plus one in Canada), but there are so many other great indoor water park resorts to enjoy, too. These are the best indoor water park resorts for 2020.
9. Go to an Indoor Amusement Park
Yes, indoor amusement parks exist! In fact, the largest one in North America—Nickelodeon Universe—just opened in Rutherford, New Jersey, at the American Dream mall. With roller coasters, rides and games at indoor amusement parks across the U.S., there’s no need to put theme park thrills on hold until summer.
10. Have a Travel-Inspired Snow Day
It’s only 9 a.m. and the kids are already fighting while you’re on a conference call (or are forced to take the day off from work). Sound familiar? Check out these 6 Travel-Inspired Snow Day Activities for Kids to get some respite (and maybe even enjoy yourself).
11. Cozy Up With a Book
Build a fire, pull out the fleece blankets, and curl up with a good book (or several) this winter. If you’re looking for recommendations, we’ve got plenty:
- Our 10 Favorite Children’s Books of 2019
- 10 Best Travel-Inspired Books for Young Kids
- 10 Best Travel Books to Inspire Wanderlust Teens
12. Build a Fort
Nothing beats building a fort on a cold winter’s day. You can use pillows, sheets, blankets, chairs and other household items, or try a build-a-fort kit for kids.
13. Play a Game
We’re not talking about games on the iPad, either. Stock up on good, old-fashioned board games you can enjoy with snacks (and wine). These are some of our favorite family board games.
14. Make a Photo Album or Scrapbook
Are all those vacation photos from last summer still sitting on your phones or cameras? Use a cold and dreary weekend to create a commemorative photo book or album of your trip (and dream about your next vacation together).
Related: 9 Best Travel Cameras for Kids
What to Pack for Your Next Trip
Girl’s Outfit to Wear in the Winter
Boy’s Outfit to Wear in the Winter
Mom’s/Women’s Outfit to Wear in the Winter
Dad’s/Men’s Outfit to Wear in the Winter
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