One of my favorite posts from the good old blog days were the monthly list of family winter bucket list activity ideas so I’ve been so excited to resurrect it! Started with some ideas to add to your family winter bucket list – some of the would be great with kids, others could work as date night activities too. Comment any other of your favorite winter bucket list activities or traditions below so we can keep it rolling. 🙂
- Snow sports! Whether you’re a seasoned skier or snowboarder or it’s the bunny slopes for you, pencil in a day at the ski resorts! No matter your skill level, anyone could enjoy a little apres ski anyway.
- Find and participate in a Sub for Santa or charity in some way. This is one of our favorite family traditions, especially being able to involve the kids in it. You never know how someone might be struggling during the holidays and there are so many cool charities and foundations already set up to find a way to help. Pick one and see how it completely changes your mood!
- Get crafty! This one is great for all ages – there are endless craft ideas to make this winter a little cozier. I loved this idea on Tiktok of painting your own gingerbread house door mat – genius! Would be so cute as a girl’s night activity too. And there are so many gorgeous craft ideas for holiday decor, from Christmas ornaments to garland. With younger kids it will still have that cute, personal keepsake feel to it but you’d be surprised as kids get older how artistic they become – sometimes crafts turn out like something you would pay big bucks for in-store!
- Hot chocolate bar. This one is great with the kids – they will love getting creative with toppings and will probably enjoy the opportunity to go all out haha. Pair it with a cozy wintry move and bundle up in some warm blankets for a fun family memory.
- Become a hockey fan. Okay granted there are plenty of sports you can enjoy during the winter, but Salt Lake just got an NHL team so seems like no better time than the present to start to pay attention to the sport haha. I have a feeling the boys would become addicted fast.
- Have a family bake-off. On those days where nobody feels like leaving the house, get creative with a bake-off! It will be a great way to get creative in the kitchen and hopefully the outcome will be pretty tasty too 🙂
- Host a ‘favorite things’ party instead of your typical white elephant or Secret Santa gift exchange. Everyone brings x number of their favorite things (usually within a lower budget since they’ll bring one for every guest in attendance) – have fun getting to know each other on a whole new level and go home with some tried and true favorites.
- Gratitude journals. This is another tradition we’ve tried to keep up as a family. Especially around Thanksgiving, it’s a great reminder to document the many, many things we have to be thankful for. And it’s crazy, you never seem to run out of things to add to the list once you put yourself in that mindset.
- Book a photographer. Whether you are in the habit of sending out Christmas or holiday cards every year or not, let this be your reminder to book some pictures! Typically the lighting is a little more forgiving in the winter since it tends to be more overcast, so bundle up in some cute, coordinated layers and get candid for some updated photos! Some of my favorites are from our photoshoots in the snow. If that’s not in the budget, set up your own festive backdrop for some equally memorable family photos. 🙂
- Take advantage of the seasonal events. This time of year, there are usually sooo many for all ages – Disney on Ice, community plays or musicals, talented musicians touring. Even if it’s outside your normal comfort zone, it’s something you may never do again and that’s just one cool experience you would never have had otherwise.
- Have a gingerbread decorating competition. I swear half the candy gets eaten before it makes it onto the house (and then the other half of the candy after the house gets done haha) but it’s such a fun tradition, with friends or family alike.
- Hit a winter market. So many creators and entrepreneurs work all year long in preparation of winter markets and selling their wares for Christmas presents. And you can find so many personal, breathtaking pieces that you would never find in store. Make a point to check out a winter market near you and support local artists – and also feel like you’re starring in a Hallmark Christmas movie haha.
