As the days become shorter, it may take some special inspiration to get outside, but there are still many wonderful things we can do together through art, storytelling, and play to enjoy the season.

Here are some ideas for winter fun that will give your well-being a boost and spark joy in your family.

Connect with nature

Make garden ice decorations: Your child will have fun as a scientist as they experiment with ice and the melting process. Check out this short video from We Be Kids for instructions on making your own ice decorations.

Make an edible holiday tree for wildlife: Your yard can be a sanctuary for birds and a wonderful place to observe wildlife this winter. Create your own edible ornaments and decorate an outdoor holiday tree!

Collect and create 

Collect nature’s treasures such as pine boughs, pinecones, mistletoe, and acorns to make your own wreath, ornaments or table top decorations! You can buy straw wreath bases at local garden shops. You can also make a simple wreath using cardboard as a base.

Bring in the warm and festive scents of the season by making Pomadores. Use cloves to press into oranges (these can be pokey, so your child may want to wear gardening gloves to do this). 

Storytelling and play 

What happens to the sunlight at this time of year? How do the animals adapt as the days shorten and snow comes? Storytelling and play are wonderful ways to explore these concepts and connect with the rhythm of the seasons.

Use loose parts to tell your own winter story. Here is an example of a Waldorf story, Winter Warmth, told as a stop-motion animation.

You can create your own winter stories through play using items from nature, such as pine clippings, sticks, and stones, as well as small treasures from your home. You could make your own characters from corks, fabric scraps, stones, pinecones, or any other treasures found in nature or at home.

Play with your child and notice the stories that you create together!

Listen to a podcast! Super Great Kids Stories have wonderful seasonal stories. Why Evergreens Keep Their Leaves in Winter and Father Frost and the Star Child are a few of our favorites from Super Great Kids Stories.

Read a book related to this special time of year, such as The Mitten by Jan Brett or The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper.

Take a moment to turn off the lights and notice the darkness. You may want to go for a night walk to notice the winter night (or afternoon!) sky. Snuggle up by a fire or candles to share stories.

You can make your own lanterns as well to bring a warm glow into your home. You can use any paper materials or dried leaves to make a decoupage lantern on a glass jar.

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