While drawing out a summer bucket list for the family is easy, creating a winter bucket list is a bit tricky. The icy conditions, chilly temperatures, and all those busy days can make curating those memorable and fun winter activities for the family a little bit harder. While for some people winter is the most favorite time of the year, for others, it’s the least.
I happen to love the cold air and snow and all the activities that come along with it, but I also know that sometimes just cuddling up and staying warm indoors are ideal.
I put together what I consider to be the ultimate winter bucket list that will ensure you make the most of the occasion- being adventurous or staying toasty! And even if you can’t get to them all, you can check out a few fun things to do this winter.
The Ultimate Winter BuckET list With 16 Fun Filled Activities
Spend a night in an ice hotel
There is nothing that makes winter cooler than spending a night in a hotel that’s made entirely out of ice. These hotels are painstakingly rebuilt every year and feature several hand establishments and hand-carved designs in each room.
When it comes to staying warm at night, layers are the name of the game since indoor temperatures are usually around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Check out the gorgeous Hotel De Glace near Quebec City.
Go ice skating
If you are good on your feet, then one of the best activities to do during winter with the family is to give ice skating a try.
You just need to look up ice rinks near you- even in places where it doesn’t drop below freezing, often have outdoor public skating rinks. These places really offer fun for the whole family.
Many of these skating rinks also cater to those with small kids and offer modified skating so its super easy for the whole family to participate in.
Get your friends and host a game night
Looking for a way to stay warm indoors while having a blast? Grab all your friends for a fun night full of hilarious games. You can play adult games like Card Against Humanity or an adventurous- Murder Mystery game.
The Not So Newly Wed game is classic fun for couples, and plenty of drinking games like I Never will keep you and guests going all night.
If you are looking for more family friendly activities and games, then check out Pictionary, Who am I, or Taboo.You can also entertain kids with cookie decorating activities, or diy crafts while the parents play!
Apart from being a fun way to stay warm indoors on a winter night, you’ll also enjoy a lot of fun with each other.
Go skiing
If you’ve learned how to ski, then I am sure you know the excitement to be had when the first powder lands on the mountains and those ski resorts open their doors.
Even if you are not a pro at the sport you’ll love the feeling of the wind rushing through your hair or the thrill and speed of going downhill. Apart from skiing, you can also choose any winter sport such as snowshoeing or snowboarding.
Go out and play in the snow
I love to play in the snow with my kids! I have such special memories making snow angels and building snowmen. And that soft, powdery white stuff is not just meant for children either.
Whether you are doing an actual activity such as snow tubing or sledding or just having a snowball fight with friends you can have tons of fun just playing in the snow- adults included!
If you happen to be outdoors when the white stuff starts to fall, its an amazing time to appreciate the little things about nature and marvel at its beauty. Its such a special time of year.
Make Creative hot beverages
If you want to warm yourself up during winter there is nothing that works more like magic than a hot beverage. Try a delicious home made hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles or marshmallows. Kids love to make fun creative beverage concoctions on a ice cold day.
Whether it’s a homemade apple cider, a cup of warm tea with fruit or even a spiked version of your favorite drink you’ll definitely enjoy it when the weather drops.
Check out candlelight Or Holiday Light Events
The sun sets earlier during the winter months so it gives you ample time to enjoy the Holiday lights. If you do a quick search for light up nights in your area or candlelight walks you should find some fun events.
You might be lucky to find events that are scheduled throughout the winter. Take this opportunity to enjoy walkabout trails illuminated with lanterns, holiday lights or even amazing led exhibitions.
Hang out in front of a fireplace
Some times doing the simplest of things can bring the most amount of pleasure. One evening when my son and I were staying at a ski resort and nearly snowed in, we just sat by the fireplace playing chess and watching the mesmerizing flames dance in haphazard directions. It was incredible and such a bonding experience for us.
As a couple, being with your significant other this can prove to be a really romantic experience as well.
If you don’t own fireplace, you can visit the lobby of a hotel and enjoy a warm beverage by a fireplace or find an outdoor fire pit and cozy up. Just enjoying some place new is fun in itself as well.
Take A Dip In a hot tub or Relax in a Sauna
If you plan to travel this winter season, then you might want to book a hotel with a sauna or hot tub for the extra bit of comfort. Check out these Holiday travel tips for additional ideas to make you vacation go a bit smoother.
\Many hotels have outdoor hot tubs and will keep them open even when its freezing out! But its tons of fun when you and friends all get together and run out in the cold to reach the warm relaxing hot tub and let all your stresses melt away.
Whether a hotel has hot tub or sauna you’ll definitely enjoy this special treat on a chilly winter night!
Create a holiday treat for the animals
If you are lucky enough to live with trees and nature around you, then you can always decorate a tree in your yard or even the woods with some edible ornaments for the outdoor animals.
Birds and small mammals always appreciate the winter buffet left out for them. You can make such things as cranberry garlands, peanut butter birdseed pine cones, string unsalted and unbuttered popcorn around the trees, and leave fresh fruits hanging from vines.
Try some roasted chestnuts
If you’ve never done this before then it really should be on your winter bucket list! You’ll definitely appreciate the flavor that roasted chestnut picked from a street vendor will give you.
It’s definitely something you and the family should try at some point and will leave you feeling especially festive.
Visit a museum
When it’s just too cold to spend the fun outside, then you might enjoy giving a museum visit a try. Thankfully, there are many museums that do not charge an entrance fee or offer free admission days a few times a month. This is ideal if you are watching your budget at the same time.
If you love trees you may even look for an indoor arboretum in your area. Further, if you are in politics, arts or history you can take advantage of the next free tour of your state Capitol.
If you love star gazing but you can’t find a dry spot to lay out, consider visiting a planetarium or just learn more about outer space inside the science museum. Tons of options to choose from regardless of the area you live in.
Sip some scotch by the wood-burning fireplace
Although it’s true that gas fireplaces are leaner, energy-efficient and much better for the environment, when it comes to ambiance and cold-weather comfort, nothing is better than torching a few logs inside the living room.
If you add the crackling sound and burning smell to your favorite scotch drink and perhaps a special person to stay beside you, you’ll enjoy everything about the night.
Attend a holiday party
A holiday party doesn’t have to be a formal work event since most towns and cities have all sorts of celebrations during this time. From bar crawls to Holiday parades there are a lot of events you can attend. Check out Eventbrite and find something you might enjoy if your friends or family aren’t up to hosting this year.
You can also plan your own holiday party if you are in the mood! Make it themed or a potluck or even catered so you dont have to do any of the work yourself. Enjoying a fun Holiday party during the season can make the Holiday all that much more enjoyable when its with your friends and family.
Tour a distillery
Since touring a vineyard is not ideal when the grapes aren’t growing and the vines aren’t green, you can take this opportunity to tour a distillery.
As a matter of fact, many distilleries usually offer hour-long tours and charge around $10 to show you how and where their spirits are being distilled. Sometimes they will even offer you a free tasting.
If you still want to know more you can ask them if they provide classes where you can make your very own cocktail. This can be just as much fun!
Wrap up
There you have it, the ultimate winter bucket list to ensure that you make the most of the occasion. If you try just one of these a week then you’ll already be about two months through the winter. Remember tis the season of sharing and caring as well. There is always something to enjoy and be grateful for.