Winter Activities for Aunts, Uncles & Kids

Fun winter activities for aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, including baking, holiday crafts, movie nights, board games, hot chocolate adventures, winter walks, holiday light tours, indoor scavenger hunts and cozy traditions.

Cold weather doesn't have to mean staying bored.

Winter is an opportunity to slow down, get cozy and create special traditions with the kids you love. When it's too cold to spend the whole day outside, you can turn your home into a craft studio, movie theater, bakery, game room or indoor adventure zone.

And when the weather cooperates, winter can be just as exciting outdoors with holiday light tours, winter walks, snow play, seasonal festivals and other cold-weather adventures.

Whether you're spending time with a toddler, elementary-age child, tween or teenager, there are plenty of ways to make winter memorable.

At Funcles & Faunties™, we believe you don't need a big budget or complicated plans to create meaningful memories.

You just need a little time together.

What Are Fun Winter Activities for Kids?

Winter activities can include everything from cozy afternoons at home to outdoor adventures.

Try:

  • Baking cookies

  • Making hot chocolate

  • Holiday crafts

  • Movie nights

  • Board games

  • Building blanket forts

  • Indoor scavenger hunts

  • Winter walks

  • Holiday light tours

  • Snow play

  • Ice skating

  • Sledding

  • Making homemade gifts

  • Cooking together

  • Reading

  • Puzzles

  • Winter photography

  • Holiday decorating

  • Visiting museums

  • Seasonal festivals

  • Creating new traditions

The best winter activity depends on the child's age, interests and the weather where you live.

Sometimes the perfect winter adventure is an afternoon outside.

Sometimes it's pajamas, popcorn and a movie.

Both count.

Cozy Indoor Activities for Winter

When the temperature drops, bring the adventure indoors.

Have a Hot Chocolate Adventure

Hot chocolate can become much more than a drink.

Set up a hot chocolate bar with different toppings and let everyone create their own combination.

Try:

  • Marshmallows

  • Whipped cream

  • Cinnamon

  • Chocolate chips

  • Crushed cookies

  • Caramel

  • Sprinkles

  • Candy canes

For older kids and teens, turn it into a taste-testing challenge.

Create different combinations and rate them.

Then choose a winner.

Bake Something Together

Winter is the perfect excuse to spend an afternoon in the kitchen.

Try:

  • Cookies

  • Brownies

  • Cupcakes

  • Cinnamon rolls

  • Banana bread

  • Muffins

  • Homemade pizza

  • Homemade bread

  • Holiday treats

Younger children can help with simple, supervised tasks such as stirring, pouring pre-measured ingredients and decorating.

Older kids can help choose recipes, measure ingredients and take on more responsibility.

[Explore Food & Cooking Activities →]

Have a Cozy Movie Night

Turn an ordinary movie into an event.

Create a cozy setup with:

  • Blankets

  • Pillows

  • Popcorn

  • Hot chocolate

  • Favorite snacks

  • Comfy pajamas

Let your niece or nephew take turns choosing the movie.

You can even create a monthly winter movie tradition.

One movie. One snack. One night together.

Build a Blanket Fort

Grab blankets, pillows and cushions and build the ultimate indoor fort.

Then decide what it is.

Maybe it's:

  • A castle

  • A spaceship

  • A secret clubhouse

  • A campsite

  • A reading nook

  • A movie theater

  • A restaurant

For younger children, let their imagination lead the way.

For older kids, turn it into a challenge:

How elaborate can we make it?

Have a Board Game or Game Night

Winter is a great time to bring out the games.

Choose games based on the child's age and interests.

Try:

  • Board games

  • Card games

  • Puzzles

  • Trivia

  • Charades

  • Drawing games

  • Word games

  • Building challenges

For tweens and teens, let them introduce you to their favorite game.

You might discover a new shared tradition.

Create an Indoor Scavenger Hunt

You don't need to leave the house for an adventure.

Create clues and hide objects around the house.

For younger children:

"Find something red."

"Find something soft."

"Find your favorite book."

For older kids, create riddles and more complicated clues.

You can even make the final clue lead to a surprise snack, small gift or movie-night setup.

Make Winter Crafts

Winter provides plenty of inspiration for creative projects.

Try:

  • Snowflake crafts

  • Homemade ornaments

  • Winter paintings

  • Paper snowmen

  • Holiday cards

  • Homemade decorations

  • Painted rocks

  • Winter collages

  • Handmade gifts

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Clay projects

  • DIY decorations

The finished project doesn't have to be perfect.

The fun is making it together.

[Explore Arts & Crafts Activities →]

Make Homemade Gifts

Winter and the holiday season are a great opportunity to teach kids the joy of making something for someone else.

Create:

  • Homemade cards

  • Painted picture frames

  • Personalized ornaments

  • Friendship bracelets

  • Decorated mugs

  • Artwork

  • Photo gifts

  • Homemade treats

Let your niece or nephew decide who the gift is for and what they want to make.

Have a Winter Reading Adventure

Make reading feel like an experience.

Build a cozy fort.

Grab blankets.

Make hot chocolate.

Choose a few books.

Then settle in for storytime.

For younger children, let them choose the books.

For older kids, take turns choosing something to read.

You can even start a winter reading challenge together.

Winter Outdoor Activities

Cold weather doesn't automatically mean staying inside.

If conditions are safe and appropriate, bundle up and get outside.

Take a Winter Walk

Explore your neighborhood, park or local trail.

Look for:

  • Winter birds

  • Bare trees

  • Interesting rocks

  • Animal tracks

  • Seasonal decorations

  • Changing landscapes

Bring a warm drink and make the walk part of a bigger adventure.

Go on a Holiday Light Tour

Pile into the car and explore neighborhoods decorated for the holidays.

Make it more fun by creating a list:

Find a house with:

  • A giant inflatable

  • Lots of lights

  • A snowman

  • A reindeer

  • A Santa

  • A giant tree

  • A funny decoration

Bring snacks and music.

You could even make an annual tradition of visiting your favorite decorated neighborhood.

Go Ice Skating

If there is an appropriate rink nearby, ice skating can be a fun winter outing.

Make it a bigger experience with:

  • Hot chocolate afterward

  • A favorite meal

  • Holiday lights

  • A winter walk

For beginners, focus on learning and having fun rather than being perfect.

Go Sledding or Play in the Snow

If you live somewhere that gets snow, take advantage of it.

Try:

  • Sledding

  • Building snowmen

  • Making snow angels

  • Snowball games

  • Building snow forts

  • Snow sculptures

  • Winter photography

If you don't live somewhere snowy, you can still create a winter adventure with other seasonal outdoor activities.

Visit a Museum

Cold winter days can be perfect for exploring a museum.

Choose something that matches your niece or nephew's interests:

  • Science

  • History

  • Art

  • Transportation

  • Natural history

  • Space

  • Children's museums

Make the visit interactive.

Ask questions.

Let them choose what to explore.

Then grab a snack or meal afterward and talk about your favorite part.

[Explore Educational Activities →]

Winter Activities by Age

Ages 2–4

Try:

  • Baking

  • Hot chocolate

  • Simple crafts

  • Building forts

  • Storytime

  • Indoor scavenger hunts

  • Holiday light tours

  • Winter walks

  • Puzzles

  • Pretend play

[Explore Activities for Ages 2–4 →]

Ages 4–6

Try:

  • Holiday crafts

  • Baking

  • Board games

  • Winter walks

  • Museum visits

  • Snow play

  • Holiday light tours

  • Indoor scavenger hunts

  • Movie nights

  • Making gifts

[Explore Activities for Ages 4–6 →]

Ages 6–8

Try:

  • Ice skating

  • Baking challenges

  • Science experiments

  • Winter hikes

  • Board games

  • Crafts

  • Photography

  • Museums

  • Snow activities

  • Holiday adventures

[Explore Activities for Ages 6–8 →]

Ages 8–10

Try:

  • Ice skating

  • Winter hiking

  • Photography

  • Cooking challenges

  • Escape rooms

  • Museum adventures

  • Snow activities

  • Holiday light tours

  • DIY projects

  • Day trips

[Explore Activities for Ages 8–10 →]

Tweens

Try:

  • Escape rooms

  • Ice skating

  • Shopping adventures

  • Cooking challenges

  • Photography

  • Concerts

  • Holiday markets

  • Day trips

  • Gaming

  • Trying a new restaurant

[Explore Activities for Tweens →]

Teens

Try:

  • Coffee dates

  • Ice skating

  • Concerts

  • Sporting events

  • Winter hikes

  • Restaurants

  • Photography

  • Shopping

  • Cooking

  • Volunteering

  • Exploring a new city

  • Movie nights

[Explore Activities for Teens →]

Free Winter Activities

You don't have to spend money to have a great winter day.

Try:

  • Winter walks

  • Holiday light tours

  • Reading together

  • Building forts

  • Stargazing

  • Playing board games you already own

  • Making homemade cards

  • Baking with ingredients you already have

  • Watching movies at home

  • Indoor scavenger hunts

  • Drawing

  • Storytelling

  • Playing music

  • Exploring your neighborhood

[Explore Free Activities →]

Budget-Friendly Winter Activities

Looking for winter fun without spending a lot?

Try:

  • Library visits

  • Homemade pizza nights

  • Movie nights at home

  • DIY crafts

  • Baking

  • Winter walks

  • Free community events

  • Holiday light tours

  • Game nights

  • Homemade gifts

  • Museum free days

  • Hot chocolate nights

  • Backyard adventures

A memorable winter doesn't require an expensive vacation.

Rainy or Snowy Day Activities

When the weather keeps you inside, make the indoors part of the adventure.

Try:

  • Build a blanket fort

  • Bake cookies

  • Make crafts

  • Have a movie marathon

  • Play board games

  • Create an indoor scavenger hunt

  • Make homemade pizza

  • Do a puzzle

  • Read together

  • Have a dance party

  • Build something

  • Try a simple science experiment

[Explore Rainy Day Activities →]

Winter Activities for the Holidays

The holiday season provides plenty of opportunities to create traditions.

Try:

  • Decorating the tree

  • Making ornaments

  • Baking cookies

  • Making homemade gifts

  • Looking at holiday lights

  • Watching holiday movies

  • Wrapping presents together

  • Making holiday cards

  • Visiting a holiday market

  • Creating a holiday scavenger hunt

  • Having a special holiday breakfast

[Explore Christmas Activities →]

Create a Winter Tradition

Some of the best winter memories come from things you do every year.

Maybe you:

Bake the same cookies every winter.

Have a special hot chocolate night.

Visit the same holiday light display.

Watch the same movie together.

Make homemade ornaments.

Go ice skating every winter.

Have a winter adventure day.

Take an annual photo together.

These simple traditions become part of your shared history.

And as kids grow up, they may remember those traditions more than the presents they received.

Make a Winter Bucket List Together

Sit down with your niece or nephew and create a list of things you'd like to do before spring.

Cozy Adventures

  • Have a movie night

  • Bake cookies

  • Drink hot chocolate

  • Build a fort

Outdoor Adventures

  • Go ice skating

  • Take a winter walk

  • Go sledding

  • See holiday lights

Creative Adventures

  • Make crafts

  • Create homemade gifts

  • Make ornaments

  • Paint winter pictures

Learning Adventures

  • Visit a museum

  • Go to the library

  • Try a science experiment

  • Learn something new together

Then check things off as you go.

The bucket list becomes a memory of the season.

Winter Can Be a Season of Connection

Winter often gives us something summer doesn't:

permission to slow down.

There may be fewer outdoor activities.

More time indoors.

More opportunities to sit around the kitchen table.

More movie nights.

More conversations.

More baking.

More games.

More quiet moments together.

And those moments can be incredibly meaningful.

You don't always need to be doing something.

Sometimes sitting beside your niece or nephew while you drink hot chocolate and talk about their day is the adventure.

Ready for Your Next Winter Adventure?

Whether you're a Funcle, Fauntie, aunt, uncle, godparent or another special adult in a child's life, winter gives you plenty of opportunities to create memories.

You don't need a big budget.

You don't need a complicated itinerary.

You don't even need perfect weather.

Pick something. Make some time. Go have fun.

Because the season will pass.

The kids will grow.

But the memories you make together can last a lifetime.

Never Forget to Play.

More Ways to Find Your Next Activity

By Age

[Activities for Ages 2–4 →]
[Activities for Ages 4–6 →]
[Activities for Ages 6–8 →]
[Activities for Ages 8–10 →]
[Activities for Tweens →]
[Activities for Teens →]

By Type

[Indoor Activities →]
[Outdoor Activities →]
[Educational Activities →]
[Creative Activities →]
[Adventure Activities →]
[Free Activities →]
[Budget-Friendly Activities →]
[Travel Activities →]
[Food & Cooking Activities →]
[Arts & Crafts Activities →]

By Season

[Spring Activities →]
[Summer Activities →]
[Fall Activities →]
[Winter Activities →]

By Occasion

[Birthday Activities →]
[Christmas Activities →]
[Halloween Activities →]
[First Day of School Activities →]
[Summer Vacation Activities →]
[Rainy Day Activities →]