Winter Activities: 22 things to do in winter

Dark nights, warm coats and kids with Christmas lists as long as their arms make winter one of our favourite seasons, but whilst the freezing temperatures might not entice you out of the house, we’ve got plenty of reasons why you should!

From outdoor skating, spotting Santa and a sleigh full of Christmas fun, these winter activities will help you to make the most of the season. The best bit is that they can all be done from anywhere in the UK, so wherever you are, there’s sure to be loads of winter activities near you. So let’s get stuck in, t’is the season after all...

22 things to do in winter:

1. See Santa
   Ho Ho Ho - it wouldn’t be winter without Christmas, and it wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see Santa. Find the best Santa’s grotto near you in 2018.
   
   
2. Go ice skating, outdoors!
   There’s loads of outdoor rinks popping up across the UK, making for a fantastic festive day out. Check out our list of the top 10 outdoor ice skating rinks near you.
   
   
3. Plan a Christmas family day out
   Looking for a way to kickstart that festive feeling? Book the ultimate Christmas day out for the whole family, with our guide to the 15 best Christmas days out and events near you.
   
   
4. Visit a Christmas Market
   Shop for unique crafts, tasty food and delicious drinks at a classic Christmas Market this year. Don’t miss our guide to the 15 best Christmas markets in the UK in 2018.
   
   
   
   
5. See a pantomime
   Get practicing your ‘he’s behind you’ and ‘oh no he didn'ts’ as we round up the 12 must-see pantomimes near you in 2018.
   
   
6. Write your letter to Santa
   Turn your letter to Santa into a fun craft activity with our Letter to Santa tips. If you miss the deadline it just means you won’t be guaranteed a reply, but you can always get creative yourself to keep the magic alive!
   
   
7. See the Coca Cola Truck Tour
   The holidays are coming… find all the Coca Cola Truck Tour dates 2018 here.
   
   
8. Find your Christmas tree
   Real or fake? Whichever you choose, make a day of it by going to pick it up, with our tips for making getting your Christmas tree a day out. If you are going for a real tree, we’ve also got tips for how to choose a real Christmas tree and making a real Christmas tree last longer.
   
   
9. Decorate your Christmas tree
   Thanks to step 8, you’ve got your tree - now it’s time for the decorating! After your lights and tinsel comes the baubles, why not try these 5 ways to make your own baubles this year?
   
   
   
   
10. Make gingerbread
    Tasty, warming and great fun whatever the weather, check out our gingerbread recipe to try with the kids!
    
    
11. Watch Christmas movies
    When it’s cold outside, nothing beats cosying up on the sofa with a good family festive film. Check out our list of the top Christmas movies for kids, or discover our Advent calendar of Christmas films - it’s never too late to start!
    
    
12. Plan for a snow day
    You never know when we might wake up to a blanket of snow, be prepared with our guide to 10 things to do when it snows.
    
    
13. Go skiing in the UK
    If a trip to the Alps seems a bit too ambitious this year, do not fear - you can enjoy all the fun of skiing and snowboarding right here in the UK. Find an indoor ski slope near you now.
    
    
14. Make hot chocolate
    The ultimate tasty treat to warm you up, find out how to make real hot chocolate, 4 different ways!
    
    
    
    
15. Make Christmas cards
    Swap the shop for some arts and crafts this winter, by getting the kids to make their own Christmas cards. From angels and snowmen, to pop ups and handprints, check out these 12 printable Christmas cards for kids by Kids Craft Room.
    
    
16. Make calendars for 2019
    Prepare for the new year by creating your own family calendar. Choose some of your favourite photos and memories from the last 12 months, or get the kids to create a picture and stick a calendar insert on afterwards!
    
    
17. Go walking in a winter wonderland
    Admit it, the song’s now in your head, right? Hum along as you plan your trip for a winter walk. Whether it’s elegant gardens, a wintery wood or your local park, wrap and warm and get exploring.
    
    
18. Winter lanterns
    The best thing about the nights getting darker quicker is that its prime lantern season. Find the top lantern festivals to see in the UK this winter, or watch a video of us checking out Magical Lantern Festival.
    
    
19. Make wrapping paper Christmas trees
    Feeling crafty and looking for ideas? Watch our video for how to make origami Christmas trees using just wrapping paper and some clever folding. It’s easier than it looks, promise!
    
    
    
    
20. Do some winter wildlife watching
    Winter can be a hard season for wildlife, but there’s still plenty to see if you know where to look. Check out this guide for where to see winter wildlife by The Wildlife Trusts.
    
    
21. Go on a long car journey
    Off to see relatives this Christmas season? Help pass the time, with these 8 car games for kids.
    
    
22. Go on a decoration hunt
    This time of year, it’s great to walk or drive around your local area to check out the amazing Christmas lights and decorations - who knows what you’ll find? Need some inspiration? Pay a visit to Barby in Northamptonshire, our Capital of Christmas last year!

We hope this has given you loads of ideas for things to do in winter and great winter activities for kids, but for even more great family day out ideas, simply head to the homepage and enter your town or postcode!