It can be hard to know what type of things to do with kids in winter without getting cabin fever. Keep the whole family entertained with many indoor winter activities for families, fun things to do with kids in winter, and winter activities for teens – all the best cabin fever cures!
Winter activities for families
There are many indoor winter activities for families that can let a miserable day pass by quickly. However, outdoor winter family activities can be just as enjoyable. Fun things to do with kids in winter don’t just need to take place indoors, but also in the beautiful winter landscape. Hopefully the ideas below give you inspiration for fun things to do with kids in winter, as well as winter activities for teens!
Indoor winter activities for families
Family dinner:
Cook a meal as a family with each member in charge of a different course. A dinner like this is not just one of the most fun indoor winter activities for families, but also a great bonding experience. You can also let your imagination to run wild when concocting your creative dishes. 
Games night:
One of the best indoor winter activities for families, which can either be bonding or divisive, is a games night. Winter is the perfect time to play any type of game as the colder weather means there’s no need to feel guilty for staying inside! Start a family war over a game of Monopoly or UNO!
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Build a fort:
With the lazy and cosy days of winter, it can be hard to get outside, but this doesn’t mean you have to sit around getting bored. One of the most fun winter family activities is to grab all the duvets, pillows, cushions and blankets you have and create your own fort!
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Decorate the tree:
Naturally, putting up and decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most enjoyable indoor winter activities for families. Involving the whole family allows for sweet, sentimental touches to be added that you can always look back on fondly.
Winter family activities outdoors
Visit a Christmas market:
Thanks to the various Christmas markets throughout the UK, there are many fun things to do with kids in winter. Birmingham is world-renowned for having the largest authentic German market in Europe outside of Germany and Austria. Or, visit the unique market set outside Bath Abbey, where 200 stalls sell everything from festive food to handcrafted jewellery.
Best Christmas Markets for Families
Muddy hike in the woods:
Winter family activities in the great outdoors are awesome. Pull on the wellies, grab some old clothes/waterproofs and jump back into your childhood with a puddle jumping hike in the woods.
Ice skating:
When you think of winter family activities make sure to consider ice skating. This activity is fast becoming a festive tradition and is fun for the whole family. This year it is possible to have a unique skating experience by skating next to some landmark places, such as The Royal Pavillion in Brighton, Hampton Court Palace in East Molesey and the Tower of London.
Winter activities for teens
With winter right around the corner, it is necessary to keep the teenager occupied more than usual, so they don’t just waste their days pointlessly scrolling. Whilst it is a very cosy season, being stuck inside most of the time and being forced to hang out with the family can become boring and/or annoying! Therefore, we have come up with some winter activities for teens that keep them busy and enjoying their time.
Video game competition:
With tech-savvy millennials, gaming is one of the obvious winter activities for teens. Why not teach your parents how to play your favourite video game this winter, I mean what’s a better feeling than beating them at Mario Kart?!
At home cinema:
This is one of the classic winter activities for teens. Why not rent a projector, find a large blank wall and screen a film! This is a cheaper and much more fun alternative to visiting a cinema, as well it’s so unique.
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Indoor waterpark:
Open on selected dates throughout the winter, Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, is one of the best winter activities for teens. Here, teens can enjoy endless pleasure!
Make a bonfire:
I’m sure everyone has wished for warm weather 24/7 at some point and although it’s not possible, you can do the next best thing to make a cold evening much more enjoyable. Let the teens build a fire in the garden, invite their friends over, roast marshmallows and talk deep into the night. Of course, don’t do this if there is a fire hazard (e.g. no garden!).
Want to go travelling?
Are you unsure about what to do in the Christmas holidays? Would you rather enjoy the festivities at home or avoid the Christmas chaos with a winter getaway? While many sun-seekers escape to warmer climes during the winter, we are totally enchanted by the beauty of winter in Europe.
While the UK has some Christmas markets, they don’t do it justice when compared to some great European cities! One of the must-do winter family activities is visiting an authentic Christmas market. Why not visit Bruges Christmas market? In under four hours you will find yourself at the next best thing to Santa’s grotto, thanks to the Eurostar from St Pancras International.
Did you know that when it gets cold enough, you can skate on the canals in Holland? If this fills you with uncertainty, you can also go skating in an ice rink! If you need more persuasion on what to do in the Christmas holidays that isn’t ice skating in Amsterdam, read here to find out the other reasons why you should take the kids to Amsterdam this winter!
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Our favourite winter holiday parks
If you are unsure what to do in the Christmas holidays because of the kids, we recommend staying a holiday park. Many holiday parks have an extensive range of facilities that provide a lot of fun and freedom and are mostly free of charge. Here we have come up with three of our favourites that perfectly answer the question of what to do in the Christmas holidays this year.
There is a 100% chance of nice weather when you visit a holiday park with an indoor swimming pool. Many of our holiday parks have amazing subtropical swimming paradises, from inside an old airport hangar, to a swimming oasis nearby Disneyland Paris.
Take a relaxing getaway with family and experience an enchanting stay at Villages Nature in Paris. This holiday park offers a huge range of activities, divided into 5 different worlds. Better yet, it is the perfect base for a trip to the Disneyland® Paris parks.
Duinrell holiday and theme park
Stay at Duinrell holiday park and have free access to the amusement park. If the winter weather hinders you, spend a day at the indoor subtropical swimming paradise – the Tiki Pool isn’t one you want to miss!
Sunparks Oostduinkerke aan Zee
Sunparks Oostduinkerke aan Zee is a spacious, family-friendly holiday park on the Belgian coast. Here you can indulge in plenty of winter family activities both in and outdoors. Wintry walks along the coast or an afternoon at the indoor heated swimming pool, you must consider it!
