Searching for outdoor winter activities and hobbies to try? You’ve come to the right place! I’m going to share 18 fun things to do so you can not only embrace and be present in the season you’re in, but enjoy some winter fun.

Winter Activities and Hobbies List

I am passionate about living seasonally, and am grateful to live where there are 4 seasons! I find it easier to be intentional about enjoying each season when I make a list of activities that are true to that season, and simple pleasures I can enjoy to savor it.

18 Fun Things to Do This Winter:

Experiment in the kitchen

Cooking and baking are my favorite hobbies year-round! I plan to add a lot more of my recipes to my blog, read the ones I have already shared here. Winter is the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen. I think it’s so fun to spend a weeknight evening or weekend morning or afternoon in the kitchen taking your time and making a cozy soup, a tasty dessert or a specialty coffee.

• I plan to make this homemade vanilla cake soon. I also made a simple and delightful vanilla coffee creamer this week and shared over on Instagram, check it out here.
• I personally love cooking from a cookbook! The process of having the cookbook set up, and enjoying the experience. I also love browsing food blogs on my laptop. I discovered these two blogs this year that I adore: Broma Bakery and Elisabeth and Butter.

Favorite Cookbooks:

Go Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding or Cross-Country Skiing

Skiing or snowboarding is such a thrill! My husband taught me how to downhill ski two years ago, and it is super fun. Exploring new ski resorts and ski hills is also a way to enjoy the winter season and this outdoor activity even more. Cross-country skiing is a great way to get active without the fright factor. I love that this outdoor activity can be done at many age and activity levels too!

Spend time journaling, reflecting, planning, or researching

Winter is a great time to spend planning for the months ahead, and reflecting on month’s past. With extra time indoors, I love to be intentional with it and browse for new recipes I want to try, research things I’ve been curious about, and make a list of things I want to work on or towards.

Learn a traditional (or new to you) skill from your mom, grandma or someone in your family

My mom taught me how to hand-stitch/hand-embroidery recently, and not only did it feel refreshing to learn something new, it felt valuable to learn something that was very common and essential many years ago. Pictured below is one of the kitchen towels my mom stitched for me – she gifted me a set of towels and did a coffee and wine theme.

Explore a new park snowshoeing

A lowkey great workout! And a lovely way to enjoy the snow and winter scenery. My snowshoes (not pictured below – this was before I had them) are affordable and work awesome. Be sure to dress in layers for this outdoor activity! I share some tips on winter outerwear and layers in my winter outerwear post here, and my winter capsule wardrobe.

Escape by booking a one night or weekend stay at a cozy cabin

This would be the perfect thing to put on the calendar to look forward to in the winter months! It could be a getaway with your spouse, or a fun trip with friends or family. Make it extra cozy and plan to bring matching pajamas, and organize a few recipes to gather together and cook or bake. Here is a weekend mood board I made for a winter cabin getaway.

Get Organized

Whatever that looks like for you! I love Emily of Simplified’s 30 Day Simplified challenge on Instagram as it suggests a variety of ideas for organization.

Embrace your inner child and play a new game or host a game night with friends

Winter is the ideal time to play more games. I learned Monopoly Deal recently and it’s a blast! Cribbage is also a classic game I love. This personalized and travel-capable cribbage board looks awesome. Other games to try: Code Names, Banana Grams, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Scrabble, Decrypto, Spicy Uno (ask me how to play – I will happily share!), Exploding Kittens. I plan to write a full blog post soon all about games!

Unwind & Enjoy a bubble bath

Taking a bath is extra cozy in the winter! Unplug, unwind and dive into your current read in a warm bath. This is my favorite bath soak. This bath tray looks luxurious as well. A winter scent like these will add to the mood.

Give: Volunteer in your community or offer to help those around you

Spend time thinking of those in need around you, seek out some resources, and make a plan to take action. This can look like a variety of things: through your church, at a food shelf, at a senior living home, or even as simple as offering a helping hand to your neighbors or friends in the area.

Try a new form of exercise

An indoor hobby to keep your body moving in the winter! You could try a yoga flow at home – light some candles, turn off the lights, and really get into it. Attend a spin class with a friend, try jump roping daily in your home, or stretching once a day.

Read a good book

Escaping into a novel is such a comfort, or reading a biblical narrative can be such an encouragement. Schedule an open afternoon to take it easy and read, make a cup of tea to enjoy, and grab your favorite blanket. Leave your phone in the other room, too!

Some Books I Enjoy/Or Want to Read:

Take a Night Walk

When it turns dark early, go for an after-dinner walk! Bundle up and bring your favorite warm beverage. Take time to look at the stars, and admire how cozy homes look all lit-up. Another option: Go for an early morning walk to catch the sunrise. Soak in the beauty of the quiet and stillness.

Write a loved one a hand-written letter

This is great any time of year, but with the extra time indoors during the winter months – make time to write a letter to a loved one. It will make their day, I promise you! Better yet, try to become pen pals with someone and continue this throughout the year.

Go sledding or ice skating

Act like a child again and go sledding – Pure joy! Make it a contest to who can go the farthest or do the coolest move on their sled. Bonus: offer to bring your young cousins, nieces/nephews, or children with you. Another exceptional bonus: their parents will love you even more for taking them off their hands for a little while! Put on a cute outfit and go ice skating. Grab a cup of cocoa after!

Go on a Coffee Shop & Bookstore Date

How wonderful does this sound? This date could be with your spouse, your bestie, your mom, maybe even your grandparents or yourself, too! You could make it extra creative with trying a new drink and picking out a book that makes you think of each other.

Beer or Wine Tasting

Visit a local brewery or wine bar/winery for an adventurous date or outing. Bring your favorite game along or a question list and spend intentional time with someone you love while trying something new!

Plan a Vacation

It puts me in a certain mood to plan a vacation while I’m cooped up inside. It’s fun to take the time to research a new city, plan outfit ideas, and simply, dream!

Thank you for reading all about the joys of winter! I hope you found some inspiration to savor the season. Leave a comment below sharing your favorite winter activity.

Other Posts You Might Like:

Winter Capsule Wardrobe

9 Winter Outerwear Must-Haves

12 Ways to Savor Spring

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