Fun and Engaging Activities for Kids During Winter Break

Winter break is the perfect time for kids to unwind from the school routine, explore new hobbies, and enjoy quality family time.

With colder weather and holiday festivities, keeping children entertained can be challenging—but it’s also an opportunity to get creative.

From cozy indoor games to outdoor adventures, here are some fun activities to keep kids engaged throughout the winter break!

Create a Winter Craft Workshop

Set up a winter-themed craft workshop to unleash your children’s creativity. Provide materials like paper, glue, glitter, and markers, and let them make snowflakes, holiday cards, or DIY ornaments.

For older kids, consider introducing more advanced crafts, like creating beaded jewelry or building a mini gingerbread house (without needing edible ingredients).

Crafting is a fun way to pass the time and helps kids improve fine motor skills and express their creativity. Display their finished projects around the house or gift them to family and friends for a personal holiday touch.

Plan an Outdoor Snow Adventure

If you live in an area where it snows, make the most of the winter weather by organizing outdoor activities.

Build a snowman, construct a snow fort, or host a snowball fight. Sledding down a local hill is always a hit, and for something more ambitious, try teaching your kids how to make snow sculptures. Don’t forget to keep the experience cozy by ending the day with a warm cup of hot chocolate by the fire or heater.

If your kids aren’t into traditional snow play, a simple winter nature walk to observe frosty landscapes and wildlife can be equally magical.

Movie Marathon and Blanket Forts

Transform your living room into a movie theater for those extra cold days.

Build a blanket fort with pillows and fairy lights, and let your kids pick their favorite movies for a cozy marathon. To make it feel special, include snacks like popcorn, hot chocolate, and cookies.

This low-cost, low-effort activity provides hours of entertainment and is an excellent way for kids to unwind while enjoying a unique experience.

Host a Puzzle Competition

A puzzle competition is a fantastic way to combine fun with cognitive development.

Gather puzzles of varying difficulty levels, and set up a friendly competition for your kids and their friends. You can make it a timed event where participants race to complete their puzzles or work collaboratively on a large, complex one.



This activity fosters problem-solving, patience, and teamwork while keeping kids entertained for hours. To make it even more exciting, offer small prizes for accomplishments like “Fastest Completion” or “Best Team Effort.” Plus, puzzles are easy to set up indoors, perfect for snowy or chilly days.

Bake and Decorate Treats

Get your kids in the kitchen by baking winter-themed treats like cookies, cupcakes, or brownies. Let them lead in decorating their creations with icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter.

Baking is a fantastic way to teach kids basic cooking skills, measurements, and patience while indulging their creativity. It’s also an excellent opportunity to make treats for neighbors or family members, adding a giving element to the holiday season.

Explore STEM Activities

Winter break is a great time to mix fun with learning through STEM activities. Set up simple experiments like creating a baking soda and vinegar “snowstorm” or building a popsicle-stick bridge.

For tech-savvy kids, try coding games or robotics kits to keep them engaged with problem-solving and innovation. STEM activities are entertaining and educational, helping kids build critical thinking skills while having fun indoors.

Organize a Winter Reading Challenge

Encourage your kids to pick up a book by creating a winter reading challenge.

Set a goal for how many books or pages they can read during the break and offer rewards for milestones. You can include cozy reads with winter themes or let them explore new genres they haven’t tried before.

Pairing the challenge with comfy blankets and a quiet reading nook creates a calming environment for kids to enjoy this activity. It’s an excellent way to balance screen time with something intellectually enriching.

Volunteer or Give Back

Teach your kids the value of giving back by involving them in community service during the winter break.

Whether donating toys, helping at a local food bank, or making handmade cards for nursing home residents, these activities instill kindness and empathy.

You can also encourage them to participate in at-home initiatives like decluttering their rooms and donating gently used clothes and toys. Such activities make the winter break meaningful and teach children the importance of generosity.

Indoor Obstacle Course or Scavenger Hunt

On days when outdoor play isn’t an option, turn your home into an indoor adventure zone. Set up an obstacle course using furniture, cushions, and household items, or organize a themed scavenger hunt.

You can tailor these activities to suit the age group, making them simple for younger kids and more challenging for older ones. Not only do these games burn off energy, but they also keep kids engaged and entertained.

Family Game Nights

Dedicate a few evenings to family games featuring board games, card games, or charades. Rotate the choice of games so that everyone gets a chance to play their favorites.

Game nights foster family bonding and teach kids valuable skills like strategy, teamwork, and sportsmanship while creating lasting memories everyone will cherish.

Let Hollow Woodworks Help Create Memories

Winter break allows kids to relax, explore, and have fun. Parents can ensure their children stay engaged and happy throughout the season by combining creative, active, and educational activities.

From puzzle competitions and craft workshops to outdoor snow adventures and cozy movie marathons, there's something for every child to enjoy.

Check out our online store for safe, fun, and unique products to help engage children, and let us know if you have any ideas or questions!