It’s that time of year again. For some, it’s a time to hibernate and feel those winter blues. But what if we changed our approach to winter? What if we embraced the unique beauty of winter? I decided to shift the way I approach the winter weather – to slow down, cozy up, make my home a haven, and embrace being indoors on these chilly days. We are in the middle of a cold spell here in Chicago. It feels like it’s -25, the holiday season has come to an end, and for many of us, the winter blues might be starting to kick in. This is my 14th winter season in Chicago, and I feel the happiest I’ve felt in the winter months. Since everyone is in layering and hibernating mode, I thought I’d share my cold weather perspective shift, and share the winter activities to help you get through winter with young kids.

The Ultimate List of Winter Activities for the Whole Family

The best part about winter, is, for me, the holiday cheer. But that ends just a few weeks into the cold winter months and then it’s just cold. At first, the winter was exciting and new, but after a few years of bone-chilling cold, I started to dread January. The Christmas lights come down, and it’s just freezing. So I’m working hard to shift my perspective. 

The Perspective Shift

But there’s something really nice about a slow, cold winter day. It’s the perfect time to cozy up and have a family game night or movie night with a cup of hot cocoa. There’s also something about the first warm day. The first time you see a flower bloom in the spring. The first sound of waking up to birds chirping. The world slows down in the winter. I’m using this time to reconnect slow down and connect with my kids and the simple pleasures in life. We’re doing lots of creative projects and embracing the coziness of winter. It’s a great time to snuggle up in a warm blanket, enjoy hot chocolate by the fire, and create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home.

Outdoor Winter Activities

Sure, there are fun winter activities like skiing, making snow angels, and ice skating at outdoor rinks. And I know the importance of getting outside, but some days, it’s just too cold for outdoor activities, and we don’t get a lot of snow (at least not regularly) in Chicago. When the weather allows for it, we try to get out to go sledding, build a snowman, go ice skating, have a snowball fight, or go for a winter walk. My kids love playing in the snow, but only last so long when it’s cold. I’ve found that there are plenty of things to do indoors, but it’s definitely a challenge with an active toddler. We rely in indoor play spaces, kid-friendly restaurants, visits to Grandma’s house, and even little errands like trips to the car wash, target, and driving through Starbucks. Anything to pass the time. 

Sledding

Find a safe hill and spend the afternoon racing together. It’s such a fun and carefree way to spend time with your kids, and when you’re done, cozy up inside with some hot cocoa.. 

Build a snowman

This is another one of those classic childhood moments that’s fun for the whole family. Kids love bringing their snowman to life with old scarves and buttons.

Go ice skating

Bundle up and find an outdoor skating rink. If there isn’t one in your area, an indoor rink will do. the trick. 

Indoor Winter Activities

I am a bit of a homebody, but this is especially true in the winter months. One of the best things about winter, for me, is that things slow down, and I can curl up with a new book. But I’ve found plenty of ways to keep the whole family busy and from getting too stir crazy on those frigid days. 

Make Your Home Cozy

I love working on house projects in the winter months. I’ll organize and purge the playroom and our closets, and just generally tidy up. It’s also a great time to tackle your storage closet or reinvent your entryway closet. This year, I finally ordered sconces for the fireplace wall in our family room, and make the room feel so much cozier and more finished. We’ve been finishing up some bigger projects as well and just wallpapered the half bath. It feels so nice to do these projects when we’re spending more time at home. 

Crafts

My girls (ages 4 and 6) and I love beads, diamond painting, and coloring books. These are fun things I wouldn’t necessarily do on my own, but I love doing these things with my kids. My son has gotten really into play dough, and I like that it’s a fun, sensory activity that isn’t too messy. We love magic markers and paint, too. 

Games

Our family has been on a big Go Fish kick. Both my girls love it, and it’s way more fun than Candyland (which I really don’t enjoy playing). We’ll play monopoly and do puzzles, too. I’ll link our favorite puzzle board below. 

Cook and Bake

There’s no better time to make a warm, hearty soup or crock pot meal. And my kids always enjoy baking muffins or cookies when it’s cold. 

Build a Fort

My girls live for building forts, and a fort is truly the perfect way to pass the time on a cold, winter day. They primarily use their Nugget to build walls and then bring in blankets, stuffies, and all their tiny things. There’s something so fun and magical about this, and to extend the fun, they’ll bring in their Toniebox and sticker books. 

Movie Nights

Pop some popcorn, grab some cozy blankets, and enjoy your favorite family-friendly movie. Watch a movie on TV, or set up a projector for an even more memorable experience. In the mood to leave the house? Go to the movies! 

Spa Treatments

My kids love getting manicures and pedicures, and winter is always a nice time to amp up my winter skincare. It’s when I get the most into my masks, and when I’m the most diligent with my red light mask and anti aging tools. 

Read a Book

Now that my son takes one long nap, I have visions of me reading a good book by the fire on a Sunday while the girls play. This is a relaxing activity that you can do solo or with your kids. My oldest can read now, and we love to sit and read at night. Grab a new book and cozy up in your favorite spot. 

Visit Local Museums

Winter is a good time to visit all the indoor attractions that you don’t usually visit when it’s warm out. Try visiting your all the local museums in your area. If you’re in Chicago, we also have The Color Factory, Ice Cream Museum, and Slime Museum which are all fun for the whole family. 

Indoor Play Spaces

There are always new indoor play spaces popping up, and they’ve gotten a lot nicer than Chuck. E. Cheese. No shade—I had multiple birthday parties there as a kid. 

Nugget

The Best Fort Builder

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Nugget

Chunk

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Superspace

Fort Builder Tiles

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Amazon

Rotating Puzzle Board

This has been so fun for our whole family, and makes doing puzzles a lot easier. I love that we can easily move it from room-to-room and not have a puzzle fully take over the table for an entire week.

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Uno

Card Game

A classic for a reason, UNO is easy to learn and endlessly fun for all ages. The simple gameplay brings family members together for hours of laughter and lighthearted competition.

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Prismacolor

Colored Pencils

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Cheek's Paper Room

Silicone Art Mat

This mat is designed to protect surfaces from paint, markers, glue, and other art supplies. Non-stick and easy to clean, it’s perfect for all kinds of crafts, from painting to playdough creations.

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Paint Gem

Diamond Painting

This is the gift for the mom who doesn't want to scroll IG after bedtime. I loved diamond painting with my girls and love these sets for adults. Use code DANIELLEMOSS to save!

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Lola Blankets

The Softest Blanket

Everyone has blankets, but odds are they don't have one of these. And if they do, they'd be thrilled with a second. I can't think of anything cozier or more luxurious.

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Droplette

The Droplette

I am someone who has almost every type of skin device, from an IPL hair remover to a red light mask, but I didn't have this (although I'm ordering it now). The Droplette is a revolutionary skincare device that transforms the way you hydrate and nourish your skin.

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