5 Things to Do With Your Kids In The Winter (That Aren’t Christmas Related)*

For me, November signals the start of the winter months, the weather gets colder and there isn’t as much you can do with your kids. If you live in England like we do, most days will be dark and wet so coming up with fun things to keep the little ones entertained at the weekend and on evenings can be tricky. Although there are a lot of Christmas activities available from the end of November onwards what about January and February? Or perhaps you don’t celebrate the season. What do you get up to then? This is why I’ve put together 5 fun activities for kids to do during the winter, some will cost some money, others you can do for free.

Go Ice Skating
Often going ice sating is associated with Christmas, the main reason for this is that ice rinks pop up across the country during the holiday season but it really doesn’t have to be Christmas related. Some large cities have ice rinks around all year around and there is nothing more wintery than getting bundled up, slipping on a pair of skates and whipping around the rink. A lot of ice rinks are also set up so young children can join in the fun with contraptions they can push themselves or can be pulled around by an adult.

A word of caution, it’s always better to go ice skating at a proper ice rink rather than frozen water, for example a lake. No matter how cold it gets not all areas of the water could be frozen thick enough to take your weight but I can assure you the water underneath will be ice cold and incredibly dangerous. Stay safe this winter!

Make a Bonfire
This is a great one for November time as all the Autumn leaves will still be on the ground. Bonfires can be a fun family activity as long as there are responsible adults present. They can also be a great way to get rid of leaves, grass and any other garden waste that’s accumulated over the Autumn months. Be sure you read the rules and safety regulations that go along with building a bonfire before you get started. Once you have your bonfire going you can melt marshmallows and make smores or even cook sausages but make sure any young ones are kept back and enjoy the flames from a safe distance. Who says you can only have a bonfire on the 5th of November?

Go to the Theatre
Now we have the more dangerous activities out the way, how about a fun indoor activity such as going to the theatre? In the winter there are so many more shows at theatres all over the country. From pantomime, to musicals to even local end of year productions. A lot of these can full a whole afternoon. You’re warm and dry and there are usually so many family friendly productions. I’m a huge fan of pantomime having dabbled in it as a child, and this year for the first time we’re taking LM too! I can’t wait.

Or why not combine going to the theatre with ice skating and book to see Disney on Ice? They often have a winter show that’s perfect to fill an afternoon or evening.

Learn to Ski
What is more winter appropriate than learning to ski? And these days you don’t have to pay thousands for a holiday in France to do it. You can learn right here in England. But if you are planning a holiday abroad The Snow School is your best chance of finding a great instructor. The Snow School prides itself on it’s system to teach anyone to ski including children so you really can’t go wrong. A winter holiday is often a favourite for a lot of families that can’t take holidays during the summer due to parent work commitments but before you book make sure the dates fall in line with your children’s school breaks.

Get Your Craft/Bake On
If you do have a winter break booked, you may be looking for cheap ways to keep the kids busy this winter, which is why I’be come up with, getting your craft and bake on. Children love crafting and baking, and it doesn’t need to break the bank. Just use up what you have lying around. If you need glue and paint, head to your local Poundland and encourage your kids to use their pocket money to pick up anything extra you need.

Short dark days shouldn’t be something dreaded by parents, there is still so much you can do when you can’t let the wildlings run around your garden or take them to the park that will still be enjoyable for you and them.

What do you enjoy doing with your children in the winter?