Teens Teen Life 50 Fun Things for Teens to Do This Winter By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, international bestselling author and host of the The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 20, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Sean Blackburn Fact checked by Sean Blackburn LinkedIn Sean is a fact-checker and researcher with experience in sociology and field research. Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Outdoor Activities Indoor Activities Things to Do Life Skill Activities Get Moving and Stay Active Finding fun things to do in the winter can be a challenge, especially for older kids and teenagers. The winter months can be long, dark, and boring. The cold weather and short days can lead to unhealthy habits, like overeating, spending too much time on the internet, or sleeping too much. So while you don't need to entertain your children all winter, it can be helpful to create a list of "things to do when bored." Then, when your child complains of being bored or you catch them spending too much time on their electronics, recommend they pick something to do from their list. Doing some of these activities together might be fun for the whole family. And, you might find they are some easy ways to give your teen plenty of positive attention during the winter months. Verywell / Emily Roberts Fun Winter Activities to Do Outside Fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity are important for your child's physical and mental health. So encourage him to go outside and get moving. The average teen spends between 7–9 hours each day using electronics. That means many teens likely aren't getting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise. While your teen might be concerned about looking good when they go outside, make sure they dress appropriately for the weather. Frostbite and hypothermia pose serious risks to children in the winter. Additionally, if your teen is going to engage in winter sports, like snowboarding, skiing, or hockey, insist on helmets and other safety gear. Here are some fun winter activities your teen can do if you live in a cold climate: Build a snowman or snow fortGo on a winter photo scavenger huntGo winter camping as a family and learn survival skillsHave a snowball fightHold a bonfire and let your teen invite friends overHost a snow sculpture competitionIce fishingIce skatingPond hockeyShovel snow for someone in needSkiing, downhill or cross-countrySleddingSnow tubingSnowshoeingStargazingTake a winter hike Activities to Do Inside When it's below zero, pitch dark, or blizzard-like conditions, your teen will need some indoor activity ideas. And while there's nothing wrong with surfing the internet, watching TV, or playing video games for a reasonable amount of time, make sure you set clear limits on your teen's screen time. Use the winter months as a way to encourage your teen to discover hidden talents and new interests. A little creativity and imagination can go a long way toward keeping their mind and body active. Here are some fun indoor activities for teens: Attend yoga classesClean out clothes and household goods that are no longer wanted and donate them to charity or sell them onlineCook a meal with each family member in charge of a different courseGo to an indoor water parkJoin a book club (or start one)Join a gymLearn a new craftLearn card tricks (or magic tricks)Plan a family vacationRead one book every weekSwim at an indoor poolTake an art classTake turns picking online workout videos to do together as a family Visit a museumWatch a play Things to Do When Bored in the Winter One of the best ways to help kids deal with winter boredom is to encourage them to be active with their friends. Seeing friends outside of school can also help build social skills. So let your child invite a friend over or plan a gathering with a group. It can be a great time to practice specific social skills, like making a phone call (as opposed to just texting). Teach life lessons about friendship too, like the importance of reciprocating social invitations and being a good host. Here are some ways your teen can maintain healthy friendships during the winter: Do a movie marathon Hold a board game or video game tournament Host a slumber party Let your teen plan and put on a Valentine's Day party Participate in a fundraiser with friends Activities That Teach Life Skills Winter can be a good time for your teen to learn life skills. Challenge your teen to try activities that will prepare them for life after high school. Here are some fun winter activities that can be great learning experiences for kids: Babysit Build a website Plan a digital detox Practice budgeting skills Job shadow a professional Start a family challenge, like a weight loss challenge Start filling out scholarship applications Start a small business Take an online class Visit a college Volunteer at your community food pantry, soup kitchen or church Volunteer to read to younger children at the library Get Moving and Stay Active If you struggle to find activities that keep your family active, don't give up. Keep trying new things. In fact, you might even take turns picking activities each week for the family to try. When everyone keeps moving, you'll stay physically and emotionally healthier throughout the winter. And you'll teach your teen healthy habits that may stick with her throughout life. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screen Time vs. Lean Time. Additional Reading Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical Activity Guidelines for School-Aged Children and Adolescents. Updated May 29, 2019.