18 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Around this time of the year I start day dreaming of being warm again, sitting on sunny beaches basking the the warmth of the sun, running bare feet in the sand and deciding if I want to get a sun burn or not.  I can’t wait for it to be warm again!

But that is several months away for me.  Here in Utah, winter lasts a long time.  It has been especially long and cold this season.  After being shut in for weeks now, I decided it is time to get out and enjoy the sun, even though it may be cold, and came up with 18 fun winter activities anyone can do to enjoy the winter season.

18 Fun Outdoor Winter Activities

1. Go ice skating at a rink, or for the more adventurous, on a frozen lake or stream.

2. Build a winter bonfire and cook hot dogs, have hot chocolate and smores.

3. Rent some snowshoes and go snowshoeing.  If you don’t want to go the back country your local golf course or park will be just fine.

4. If you have the equipment, go winter camping.  If that is too ambitious, check your state parks for lodge or cabin rentals.  Go on a winter hike and afterwords get cozy by the fire.

5. Take your dog for a walk.  If you don’t have a dog, walk with someone else or just by yourself.  The cool air can be refreshing, plus its fun to hear all the unique winter sounds while you are walking.

6. Go cross-country skiing, snow boarding or downhill skiing.  If you have never been, try it out by taking a lesson or just renting the equipment and trying it out yourself.  Skiing is one of my favorite winter activities.

7. Attend a dog-sled race.  You don’t have to live in Alaska to see one — check your state’s Department of Natural Resources page.  They usually have a list of upcoming events.

8. Go  tubing or sledding.  What would winter be if you didn’t go sledding at least once?

9. Build a snowman or a snow fort.  Have a snowball fight with your kids or spouse/partner. Buy a snow block maker and build an igloo.

10. Take a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and go sit out on your porch swing.

11. Shovel a path in the snow.  Play the “Fox and The Geese” outdoor winter tag game.

12. Feed the birds or go bird watching.  Make your own bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed.

13. Go ice fishing.

14. Go on a winter picnic.  Take blankets, sandwiches, and hot soup  in a thermos.

15. Head out for a photo expedition to take cool pictures of the winter landscape.

16. If you live near a big city, set off on foot and explore it! You might want to check out some of the group buying daily deals at sites like Groupon and livingsocial to find new things to do in your area that are cheap too.

17. Set up a winter obstacle course in the backyard with jumps, tunnels and other challenges for your kids and neighbors.

18. Make snow paint. Simply add food coloring to water and put it in a spray bottle, then go out and paint your yard.  For fun, use the yellow bottle on your neighbor’s yard.

Well there are a few ideas to get you through the rest of winter.  Get out, have fun and enjoy this special season!