Winter Bucket List: 55 fun activities to do when its freezing Outside

It is the time of year where the days are short and the temperatures drop. Even though it is freezing outside, you can still have fun doing a winter bucket list.

Luke and I have always felt creating traditions and making memories as a family is important. We try to get together and create lists of activities to do in each season. If you are looking for fun ideas to do this fall, we have a great fall bucket list.

With this list you can look forward to winter as much as summer with our ultimate winter bucket list. 

Fun Winter Bucket List Ideas 

This bucket list has ideas to do with your family, friends, or as couples. Let’s create some memories this holiday season and make the ultimate winter bucket list.

1. Have a gingerbread house making contest.

This one is fun to do with older kids or with adults. I think the best way to do this with kids is to get a premade gingerbread house kit or use graham crackers instead of making your own gingerbread.

2. Buy holiday matching pajamas.

Having holiday pajames is not only fun but cozy. There are many websites that sell family matching pajamas like Burts Bees.

3. Go to a rock climbing gym.

This is a fun activity to do indoors when the weather is cold. Even little kids enjoy scaling walls. This is a great activity to get all of their energy out.

4. Host a murder mystery dinner party.

This has been a really fun winter activity. There are many different kids of murder mystery kits. We have enjoyed the flex party kits because the killer is chosen after everyone arrives. I like this because if someone has to cancel last minute, you can still play the game. Do it on New Years Eve and it will be a party you won’t forget.

5. Bake cookies.

Baking cookies is a must do during the holiday season. Nothing makes a house more cozy than a home with cookies. My favorite holiday cookies are sugar cookies, ginger crinkles, and snickerdoodles.

 6. Drink a classic cup of hot chocolate.

A warm cup of cocoa can bring warmth to the body during those cold days. Don’t forget the mini marshmallows and whipped cream!

7. Have a snowball fight.

Get playful and start throwing snowballs!

8. Build a snowman.

Build a classic snowman with a carrot nose and button eyes or get creative and use your imagination to make something new!

9. Send out a family Christmas card.

Get your family photo taken and send out a postcard early in the holiday season. 

10. Make homemade potpourri over the stove.

I can’t get enough of the scents of winter. In a stove pot filled with water add in your favorite winter scents such as orange peels, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, anise pods, whole cranberries, and a spring of fresh rosemary. Set it to low heat and simmer for as long as you want.

11. Go christmas caroling.

If you are musically inclined this is a fun one. Whether you carol from house to house or through the halls of a nursing home, this truly brings cheer to all who hear.

12. Thrift shop for an ugly christmas sweater.

Find an ugly sweater at a thrift shop and wear it to that ugly sweater party. The uglier the better.

13. Go ice skating.

This is a fun seasonal activity to do outside. Don’t forget to dress warm!

14. Make paper snowflakes.

Making paper snowflakes is fun for the kids. Don’t forget to disply the snowflakes in the window. 

15. Get a christmas tree from a tree farm.

Many Christmas tree farms have a variety of trees to choose from. Some even have fire pits for s’mores, hayrides, and santa sightings.

16. Go into the mountains and cut down a tree. 

This one is an experience! Just make sure you have a car that can maneuver in the snow. Pack a picnic and a sled and make a day out of it!

17. Decorate your Christmas tree.

Get the whole family involved and deck out your tree together.  It can be fun to get another small tree for the kids to decorate all by themselves!

18. Take pictures with santa.

If you have little kids this one is fun to do to make the magic of christmas come to life.

19. Go on a train ride. 

Many areas have holiday train rides. Look to see if your area has one.

20. Go on a weekend getaway.

Rent a cabin for a weekend and snuggle by the fire. Getting away with family or friends can be so much fun.  

21. Go skiing or snowboarding.

For those who love winter sports, this one’s for you! Go hit the pow.

22. Make homemade bread.

One of my favorite things to do is make homemade bread. Pair homemade bread with homemade soup and you’ve made the perfect meal for a cold winter day.  

23. Decorate sugar cookies.

Sugar cookies are my favorite holiday cookie. Making and decorating them are always on my list of winter activities to do. If you don’t have the time to make sugar cookies, there are many ready made cookie kit options to buy.

24. Find a cozy restaurant to eat at. 

Plan a date night with your signifiant other or catch up with a friend at the warmest, coziest restaurant in town. 

25. Go through old photo albums.

Take a walk down memory lane by going through old photo albums. 

26. Go to an indoor waterpark

Sometimes you need to get your summer fill and find an indoor pool. Enjoy the fun! 

27. Build a fort inside.

Build a fort and have a slumber party in the living room. 

28. Pick out a holiday candle.

Bring the outdoors inside with a pine or balasm scented candle. If you don’t like candles, mix a new holiday scent with essential oils and diffuse it.

29. Go snowshoeing.

We’ve done this before and it was such a blast. You get to be in nature and experience spectacular views. Well worth the energy.

30. Have a christmas movie marathon.

Grab that cozy blanket and popcorn and get the movies rolling. This is a fun activity that the whole family will love. 

31. Decorate the inside of your house for the holiday season.

Decorating the house is always on the winter bucket list. Its a must do of the season.

32. Put up christmas lights (or use a light projector).

Driving up to a house with lights on when its dark after a long day of work somehow lifts ones spirits. If you don’t mind getting on a ladder in the cold this one is worth it.

33. Do a puzzle.

Puzzles are awesome for spending quality time together. It is a fun screen free activity. 

34. Plan and book a summer vacation.

Winter is the perfect time to plan and book your summer vacations. It can give you something to look forward too and help those winter blues.

35.  Do a paint night.

Paint nights are so much fun. They can be done at a winery, brewery, or pizza place. Most areas have paint nights availble. Research what is availble in the area where you reside.

36. Drive around to look at christmas lights and decorations.

This one is fun to do with the family. Get everyone dressed in their pajamas with a cup of hot chocolate and drive around the neighborhood. 

37. Go to a holiday parade.

So many areas have lighted parades where trucks are decked out in lights. This is a fun thing to add to your winter bucket list.

38. Go snowmobiling.

If you prefer to get into the outdoors this one is for you. You can always rent a snowmobile if you don’t own one.

39. Buy Christmas presents.

Going shopping for christmas presents is great. Try and do it earlier in the season to beat the crowds.

40. Make chicken noodle soup.

Everyone loves chickenoodle soup, especially if it is homemade. Bonus points if you make your own noodles!

41. Have a family game night.

This is another screen free idea to add to your winter bucket list. You could even have prizes for the people who win. There are so many fun games to play. Some of our favorites are: Catch Phrase, Sequence, The Chameleon.

42. Go to a symphony.

This is a fun activity to do when the weather is cold outside. 

43. Go sledding.

 Sledding is one of those fun things to do after a good snow. Kids love this winter activity.

44. Buy a cozy blanket.

Find the coziest of blankets to warm you up this winter. Maybe even buy an electric blanket for extra warmth.

45. Read a book by the fireplace.

Reading a book by a fireplace is one of my favorite things to do in the winter especially with a cozy blanket. 

46. Go to the spa.

This one is for the adults- a great date activity. There are endless services that can be done at the spa. Our favorite service is a side by side couples message.

47. Visit family members.

Visiting family members during the holiday season is an unsaid must on the winter bucket list. Catching up with family members once a year may be rewarding or one of those obligations that you have to do. Either way, make the best of your time with your family.

48. Listen to christmas music.

This one is a must to get you into the holiday spirit- as it is the most wonderful time of the year!

49. Go to your favorite coffee shop to try out their seasonal drinks.

Coffee shops are an awesome place connect with friends and family. 

50. Go to Costco to try their food samples.

Stalk up at costco and don’t forget to try all of their food samples. You can never go wrong with having lunch at their food court-those costco hot dogs are the best.

51. Watch sports on TV.

This one is for all of the sports fans in the house. Watch on folks!

52. Make homemade cinnamon rolls.

This is one of my favorite desserts to eat on christmas morning. It is such a delightful indulgence that I look forward too every year.

53. Go to the library.

Pick out some books to read by the fireplace. 

54. Have a hot coco bomb.

This is a new trend where a chocolate ball encases hot chocolate, marshmellows, and sprinkles. You place this ball in the bottom of a mug and pour warm milk over it. The ball will dissolve and you get a delicious cup of hot cocoa.

55. Have  a tea party.

This is one of my favorite things to do in the winter. Brew a pot of your favorite tea and make some tea sandwitches and little desserts and you have yourself some high tea. 

How to make a Winter bucket list.

The first thing you want to do is grab a paper and pen. Then go through bucket list ideas and write down the ones you want to do. We love to sit down as a family and write down the ideas we would like to do together. 

The best way to remember what is on your bucket list is to have it displayed where everyone can see it. We write ours on a chalkboard but you can use whatever display works for you and your family. 

Once you have completed the item on the list and move onto the next item you want to accomplish on your list.

Why should you make a Winter bucket list?

Bucket lists are a great way to itemize acitivities and things you want to do in a season or during your lifetime. It is a great way to remind us what we want to accomplish and gives us something to look forward too and get excited about. 

Bucket lists are growing and breathing lists that are meant to be changed and edited. They are not meant to be a source of anxiety. If you don’t get to all of your items on your bucket list that is okay! Remember bucket lists are not meant to be a quick sprint, but rather a marathon. Take your time and enjoy the season and the activities each season has to offer.

Ultimately, a bucket list should be fun and give you something to look forward too. Happy bucket listing!