Wondering what to do in winter that goes beyond the usual? This guide moves past generic lists to deliver season-transforming plans for every mood and weather, ensuring you find joy all season long.
Let’s be honest: by the time January rolls around, the holiday sparkle has often faded, leaving us with gray skies, biting winds, and a strong urge to hibernate until spring. It’s easy to slip into a cycle of dread, counting down the days until the sun sets after 5 PM. But what if we flipped the script? What if winter wasn’t just a waiting room for spring, but a destination in itself?
This isn’t about ignoring the cold; it’s about finding purpose within it. Whether you are climbing the walls from cabin fever or just need a fresh perspective on the chilly months, this guide is designed to help you actively enjoy the season. From outdoor adventures that don’t require a single snowflake to cozy indoor projects that nourish your creative side, we’ve curated a list of activities to help you thrive. Stuck inside? We have got you covered.
What to Do in Winter (When There’s No Snow)
One of the biggest hurdles to winter enjoyment is the lack of classic winter weather. We dream of pristine snowscapes, but often get stuck with brown grass and mud. Don’t let a lack of powder keep you inside. There are plenty of outdoor winter activities (no snow required) that get your blood pumping and your lungs full of fresh air.
Active & Adventurous
The trails are quieter in winter, making it the perfect time to explore your local hiking spots. Without the dense foliage of summer, you get unique views and a different perspective of the landscape. Just be sure to wear boots with a good grip to handle potential mud.
If you are feeling particularly playful, why not try grass sledding? Grab a sturdy cardboard box and find a steep, grassy hill. It’s a nostalgic rush that rivals any toboggan run. For those who want a challenge, organize an outdoor obstacle course at a local park. Use benches for step-ups, trees for weaving, and open fields for sprints. It turns a gray day into a high-energy game.
Creative & Calm
You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy the winter air. Tap into your inner architect by building a fort using natural materials like fallen branches, rocks, and pinecones. It’s a grounding activity that connects you directly with nature.
Alternatively, take a camera (or just your phone) on a winter photography walk. Challenge yourself to find beauty in the starkness—the texture of tree bark, the pattern of frost on a leaf, or the muted colors of a winter sunset. Geocaching is another fantastic low-snow activity; it’s essentially a real-world treasure hunt that turns a regular walk into a mission.
Social & Seasonal
Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t gather outside. Hosting a bonfire with storytelling is a magical way to spend an evening. There is something primal and comforting about gathering around a fire when the air is crisp. Check out winter farmers’ markets for seasonal root vegetables and hot cider, or visit a local light festival to brighten up the long nights.
The Winter-Ready Kit
To truly enjoy these outings, you need to be prepared. Nothing kills a mood faster than cold toes. Keep a Winter-Ready Kit in your car or by the door:
- Insulated Thermos: For hot tea, coffee, or cocoa.
- Waterproof Gloves: Essential even if there isn’t snow, especially if you’re hiking.
- Hand Warmers: Instant heat for pockets.
- Moisture-Wicking Layers: Cotton kills; stick to wool or synthetics.
- Headlamp: Because the sun sets earlier than you think!
What to Do in Winter Vacation at Home & On a Cold Day Inside
Sometimes the weather really is frightful, or you just need a break from the world. This is where the art of the staycation comes in. Instead of viewing a day inside as stuck, view it as a sanctuary. Here are ideas for a cozy winter staycation and things to do with friends in winter without snow.
Themed Experience Creation
Don’t just watch a movie; host a cinema event. Set up a projector (or just rearrange the furniture to face the TV), make popcorn with special seasonings, and print out tickets for the showing. Pick a theme like 80s classics or a Lord of the Rings marathon and commit to the bit.
Alternatively, create a DIY spa retreat. This isn’t just a face mask; it’s about the atmosphere. Dim the lights, put on ambient music, diffuse eucalyptus oil, and prepare a foot soak. It’s a fraction of the cost of a real spa but offers plenty of relaxation.
Skill-Based Coziness
Winter is the perfect time to learn something slow. Start a simple craft like needlepoint, knitting, or watercolor painting. These activities are meditative and keep your hands busy, which stops the doom scrolling on your phone.
If you are a reader, organize a home book crawl. Set up three different reading nooks in your house with different blankets, beverages, and snacks. Spend an hour in each spot. It adds a sense of movement and occasion to a day spent reading.
Culinary Projects
The kitchen is the heart of the home in winter. Instead of the usual dinner, host a soup-tasting party. Make three small batches of different soups (perhaps a chili, a chowder, and a vegetable broth) and rate them. Or, organize a favorite things gift exchange with your household or neighbors. It’s a low-pressure version of Secret Santa where everyone exchanges small items that bring them joy, like a specific chocolate bar or a favorite brand of pen.
Fun Things to Do in the Winter with Friends (That Aren’t Just Dinner)
Socializing often takes a hit in the colder months because we default to let’s just grab dinner. While nice, it can get repetitive. Here is a playbook for things to do with friends in winter that injects some energy into your social calendar.
Creative Socializing
Host a PowerPoint Party. The rules are simple: everyone prepares a 3-minute presentation on a topic they are passionate about (or something completely silly). Topics could range from Why Shrek 2 is a Cinematographic Masterpiece to “A Deep Dive into My Cat’s Personality Types. It is guaranteed to result in laughter.
Another great option is a clothing swap. Everyone brings items they no longer wear, and you shop each other’s closets. It’s sustainable, free, and you leave with a refreshed wardrobe. For a forward-looking evening, try a collaborative vision board session for the year ahead. Clip images from magazines and dream big together.
Local Exploration
You can still explore your city in the cold. Plan a cafe crawl to find the best hot chocolate in town, or do a winter color walk scavenger hunt where you have to find and photograph items of specific colors. Many museums also offer late-opening nights with music and drinks, a perfect way to get culture and warmth simultaneously.
Game Night 2.0
Move beyond Monopoly. Interactive video games like the Jackbox Party Pack allow everyone to use their phones as controllers for trivia, drawing games, and word puzzles. It’s high-energy and very inclusive. Alternatively, buy a murder mystery in a box kit. Assign characters to your friends beforehand so they can dress up and spend the evening solving a crime over appetizers.
How to Enjoy Winter Season (A Mindset Toolkit)
If you are someone who genuinely hates the cold, activities might not be enough. You need a shift in perspective. Learning how to enjoy winter is often about winter wellness and changing the narrative inside your head.
The Positive List Exercise
It sounds simple, but it works. Write down a list of things that only happen in winter or are better in winter. This might include:
- wearing your favorite heavy coat.
- The absence of mosquitoes and bugs.
- Guilt-free excuses to stay in and read.
- The crisp clarity of the stars on a cold night.
- Hot coffee actually stays hot.
Whenever you catch yourself complaining about the weather, force yourself to acknowledge one thing from the list.
Embrace Hygge
You have likely heard of the Danish concept of Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), but are you practicing it? It’s about consciously creating coziness. It means lighting candles during the breakfast rush, not just at dinner. This means upgrading your hot drinks with quality ingredients. It means cooking slow, seasonal comfort foods like stews and roasts that fill the house with savory smells.
Celebrate Small Rituals
Find joy in the micro-moments. Take up bird-watching; birds are often easier to spot in winter against the bare trees. Savor the golden hour sunlight, which has a unique, low-angle quality in winter. Celebrate the earlier evenings by having cozy, candlelit dinners at 6 PM.
Recommended Reading: If you want to dive deeper into this philosophy, pick up Wintering by Katherine May. It is a beautiful exploration of how to treat winter not as a burden, but as a necessary season for rest and retreat in our lives.
Your Winter Challenge
Winter doesn’t have to be a season you just get through. It offers unique opportunities for rest, deep creativity, and a different kind of connection with nature and friends. It is a time to slow down, but not to stop.
So, here is your challenge: Pick one activity from each section above to try this month. Go on a no-snow hike, build a fort, host a PowerPoint party, or simply light a candle at breakfast. Reframe the season, and you might just find yourself wishing it lasted a little longer.
FAQs
When winter boredom hits, the best things to do are activities that combine comfort and engagement. Creative hobbies like journaling, crafting, or learning a slow skill can make time feel purposeful, while social activities such as game nights or themed movie marathons help break the isolation that often comes with cold weather.
There are plenty of low-cost things to do in winter at home, including reading challenges, cooking comfort meals, organizing a clothing swap, or starting a new hobby using supplies you already own. Many people find that winter is the perfect season for simple routines that focus on rest, creativity, and personal growth.
If you dislike the cold, enjoying winter often comes down to mindset and preparation. Dressing in warm layers, creating cozy indoor rituals, and focusing on winter-only pleasures—such as hot drinks, early evenings, and calm routines—can help transform winter from something to endure into a season to appreciate.
Yes, winter is a great time to plan social activities that go beyond restaurants. Hosting game nights, creative workshops, PowerPoint parties, or even casual cafe crawls can make winter socializing more memorable while keeping everyone warm and comfortable.