Fun Ideas for Winter School Holiday Activities

Keep the kids occupied over the winter holidays with fun activities guaranteed to keep them entertained. From crafting, fun learning, burning off that energy, and family time, these varied ideas will keep your kids so busy that you'll never hear a shout of 'I'm bored!'

Explore Winter Wildlife

Take a trip to your local park or forest to see the seasonal changes and wildlife at this time of year. You could make a scavenger hunt pack and enjoy watching your children find a variety of trees, birds and animals; try and find as many different leaf colours you can! Binoculars are great for older kids and a camera or sketchbook so they can document what they discover. 

Make a Mud Kitchen

For outdoor play at home, you can create your very own mud kitchen in the garden. All you need is a few old kitchen items that you don't mind being repurposed. A mixing bowl, wooden spoon, plastic cups, some water in a watering can or hose and, of course, mud, and your children can begin making their own magic. Mud kitchens are great for sensory engagement and for developing imaginative play. Just don't forget your overalls and wellies and maybe an extra bowl of clear water by the back door so they don’t bring the mess back in the house!

Rock Painting

This is a brilliant activity for all ages as the children can come up with their own ideas about how they want to decorate their rock. Your children could paint the wildlife you saw on your outing, the family pets, make family portraits or get ready for the Christmas season and create a nativity scene, make a sleigh and Santa's reindeer to put on the window ledge or fireplace or make a painted keepsake to give as a gift. Acrylic paint pens are fantastic for this activity and don't make as much mess.

Make a Winter Wonderland

This one takes me back to old school days… create paper snowflakes to make your very own winter wonderland. All you will need is some paper, scissors/safety scissors and a needle and thread (a job for the grown-ups). The kids can make endless designs, which can be threaded together and hung from the ceiling, or they could make a den and hang them inside to create a magical winter grotto. 

Bake Gingerbread People

Gingerbread is a delicious sweet treat and easy to make with a grown-up's help. Older children can help weigh ingredients, while younger children can help stir the mixture. Everyone can come together to cut out the gingerbread people and ice them once they are baked and cooled. A lovely, edible crating treat!

See the Christmas Lights Being Switched-On

Head to your local town or city centre for the annual Christmas light switch-on. This event is excellent for the whole family and will get you into the festive spirit. Seeing the lights will also give your children great ideas for creating their own Christmas decorations.

Make Air Dry clay Decorations

Air-dry clay is a great alternative to salt dough as the dough can get damp and mouldy if not sealed and stored well. Air-dry clay can easily be rolled out, and then you can create your own winter-themed decorations by making stencils out of cardboard, or even biscuit cutters work well. The clay takes a couple of days to dry, and then the whole family can get creative painting before hanging them all on the Christmas tree… don’t forget to leave a little hole to tie a ribbon for hanging.

Just a few of our fave ideas… but what's your favourite family winter activity? We’d love to hear your comments below.