Free Activities For Family Fun This Winter

Winter is on the horizon and although we have lots to look forward to (Christmas, of course) the days are shorter and colder making it difficult for outdoor fun. That being said, there’s still plenty to do outside this season, even after the sun has set and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. It’s always super important for children to get there time outside and if you’re looking for some free things to do with them, then you’ve come to the right place.

Star Gazing

One of our favourite things about the darker evenings is getting to see all the twinkling stars in the night sky. It really is the clearest time to look for them. That’s why star gazing is a perfect idea for winter, and your children will love it! All you need for this activity is a pair of binoculars but of course, if you haven’t anything more technical you can use that too. There are also many stargazing apps to help you like Star Walk 2 or Star Tracker, both of which are completely free! Wrap up your children (maybe in some fleece lined wellies for warmth), head outdoors and look up at the sky. Who knows what beauty you might find?

Childrens ghost walk

Although it might be nearing the end of Halloween, there are still plenty of spooky activities to do with the kids. And one could be a ghost walk. Don’t worry, the walks are purposely not scary so your little ones could actually really enjoy them. For some of these walks kids go free but it depends where you go. However, they are dotted around everywhere so have a look around and see what is near you. Chester have a particularly popular children’s ghost walk and 2 children go free with a responsible adult so if you’re near by, that might be the one for you. Get spooky this winter!

Visit a community light switch on

As the nights begin to get darker, the closer it comes to light switch on season. In every city and sometimes even in many towns, the community comes together to watch the switch on of Christmas lights. This free activity is great because it’s so accessible and fantastic for children to watch. Depending on where you live there is also often music, food, fireworks and even celebrity guests so there’s lots of look forward to. Watching all the lights glisten in the dark is truly magical and your little ones will love it! Check out your local community page to see the dates for your own switch on and enjoy the show.

Have a campfire

There’s nothing cosier than a campfire during winter and it can make being outside in the cold so much better. This is a super quick and easy activity that you can do just about anywhere! You could have one in your own garden or even while you’re camping at a campsite, as there are many throughout the UK that allow them. You could toast marshmallows (yum!), tell stories, play games or even just catch up as a family in the firey glow. Grab some blankets and get cosy together!

Do some winter crafts

Who doesn’t love some family crafts? If your children love making things then winter is full of opportunities. When there are pinecones, colourful leaves and acorns everywhere, the list of things you could make is endless! From diy baubles to seasonal wreathes, your children can get creative and decorate the house with whatever they’ve made. Pinterest is a really good place to start if you need some winter crafts inspiration. It’s a completely free activity as everything you need is right on your doorstep. Spend an hour or two collecting the decor with your children and then get creating. It’ll be so much fun!

Try a winter scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is always a great activity and it’s one that the children really love! You could create your own winter scavenger hunt or even find one online as the internet is full of resources. It can take place wherever suits you best, including the comfort of your own garden. You could even do the scavenger hunt in the dark with torches if there are plenty of adults and a safe place to play. It’s an easy and free activity to keep you busy as a family. If you need a little inspiration to get you started, then you should check out our post full of scavenger hunt ideas and top tips. You'll be an expert in no time. And hey, maybe there will even be a prize to win at the end.

Glow Photography

If you’re a family that loves to get creative, this is the perfect family fun activity to do after dark. All you need is a digital camera and some glow sticks (more colours = more fun). Then whoever is in front of the camera can create some cool art or writing by waving around the glow sicks. With some fancy settings on the camera, a masterpiece will be made! You could have someone taking the photo or use a tripod so that the whole family can get involved. As for the fancy settings, a 14 second exposure setting with f/8 for the aperture and ISO 1600 is the best place to start. But you can also change the settings here and there to mix up the results. You need to be in darkness for this activity so winter really is the ideal time.

Play with shadows

And continuing with the darkness, there really is no better time to make the most of your shadows than in the dark, and as we know, winter brings lots of it! As long as you have a light of sorts for this activity, you’re good to go. Your children will love creating funny shadows. You could make a dog, a dinosaur, and maybe even put on a shadow puppet show. It’s a free activity to do wherever you like, and it’ll keep your little ones entertained for ages. A fantastic activity to really get the imagination going.

Glow stick bowling

How about you DIY a game? If you’ve got any empty bottles or even small containers, then you can make your own bowling set. Yep! Pop some glow sticks in the bottles, grab a ball and get competitive! It really is a quick and easy DIY that will give your children the chance to get some fresh air. And it’s safe to say it’s much cheaper than taking your little ones to a bowling alley, which can sometimes get pricey. Wrap up warm and make your own fun at home. Hopefully, we have given you some family fun inspiration for the upcoming winter but if you’d like some more you can also check out our other post on 15 family winter activities! They’re all completely different so you’ll be full of ideas in no time. And if your children do get up to any of these wearing their Grass & Air goodies, make sure to tag us on Instagram at @grassandair. We really love seeing them! We wish you a wonderful winter and can’t wait to see what you get up to.