Embrace the crisp winter air and make the most of your time outside with these creative outdoor winter activities—even when there’s no snow in sight!
Spending time outdoors is essential for physical health and mental well-being, especially during the colder months. Whether you’re chasing winter adventures or simply looking for ways to enjoy the season, these unique ideas will help you make the most of snow-free days.
1. Create a Nature Maze
Use branches, fallen logs, or even string to design a simple maze in your backyard. This activity keeps kids moving and encourages creative problem-solving. Add challenges like stepping over sticks or crawling under ropes to make it more engaging.
2. Build an Outdoor Art Station
Take art projects outside! Use natural materials like twigs, leaves, and pinecones to create sculptures or collages. For an extra pop of color, bring along washable paints or chalk. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy winter while letting your creativity shine.
3. Host a Winter Stargazing Night
Cool, clear winter evenings are perfect for stargazing. Bundle up with blankets, set up a telescope or binoculars, and explore the night sky. Hot cocoa and a constellation guide make this an unforgettable experience.
4. Set Up a Backyard Bowling Game
Turn recyclables into bowling pins and use a ball to knock them down. Whether it’s plastic bottles or tin cans, this activity is great for getting everyone moving and laughing.
5. Organize a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts aren’t just for summer! Create a winter-themed list of items like pinecones, evergreen branches, animal tracks, or unique rocks. It’s an easy way to explore your surroundings and learn more about nature in winter.
Use this free printable Winter Scavenger Hunt for your next adventure.
6. Toast Treats Over a Portable Fire Pit
Fires bring warmth and magic to any season, and winter is no exception. Roast marshmallows for s’mores, or enjoy hot cider. Gather the family and share stories for a cozy evening outdoors.
7. Try Nature Yoga
Winter yoga sessions outdoors can be incredibly refreshing. Lay down yoga mats or a blanket on dry ground and enjoy mindful stretches. Focus on breathing in the crisp air while taking in the quiet beauty of winter.
8. Play Shadow Tag
Take advantage of sunny winter days with this fun twist on classic tag. Players try to step on each other’s shadows instead of tagging with their hands. It’s an exciting way to keep moving and warm up!
9. Explore Local Parks or Gardens
Many botanical gardens and nature trails remain open in winter. Some even offer special winter-themed displays or activities. Pack a snack, dress warmly, and take a stroll to discover a quieter, less crowded experience.
Here’s a list of the top 5 nature trails in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and nearby, offering diverse landscapes and outdoor experiences:
- Cedar Valley Nature Trail
This 68-mile linear park spans from Cedar Rapids to Waterloo, featuring a mix of paved and crushed limestone surfaces. Popular for walking, biking, and even snowshoeing in winter, the trail offers access points like the Boyson Road Trailhead in Hiawatha and the County Home Road access point. It also connects to the Cedar River Trail for extended exploration. - Palisades-Kepler State Park
Located in Mount Vernon, just outside Cedar Rapids, this park has over five miles of scenic trails along the Cedar River. The park is known for its natural beauty, including wildflowers and wildlife, as well as amenities like picnic spots and overnight cabins. It’s a serene option for both short hikes and day-long adventures. - Indian Creek Nature Center
With nearly five miles of trails through 210 acres of prairie and wetland, this nature preserve is a haven for wildlife and bird enthusiasts. Trails are accessible year-round, with snowshoe rentals available in winter. The visitor center provides additional learning opportunities and locally made goods. - Morgan Creek Park
This park offers four miles of trails that meander through rolling hills and an arboretum showcasing over 250 tree species. The butterfly garden adds an extra touch of charm, making it a great destination for families and nature lovers. Trails are a mix of gravel and paved paths suitable for all skill levels. - Pinicon Ridge Park
Located in nearby Central City, this park boasts over 10 miles of trails winding through restored prairies and wooded areas along the Wapsipinicon River. Highlights include scenic views, an observation tower, and the locally known “horseshoe falls.” It’s a versatile destination for hiking and wildlife observation.
These trails provide a variety of environments, from riverside paths to woodland hikes, ensuring something for every outdoor enthusiast. For more details, you can visit the Linn County Parks website.
10. Experiment with Ice Art
One of the best ways to make the most of the cold weather is with outdoor Winter activities that are most fun in cold weather.
Fill containers with water and natural materials like berries or leaves, then leave them outside to freeze. Once frozen, you’ll have beautiful ice sculptures to display in your yard or along a walking path.
Indoor Activities for High Energy Kids
If the weather is really bad and you have already enjoyed all of these outdoor Winter activities with the family, check out these indoor activity ideas for kids with lots of energy.
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If you high energy kids and want to get an indoor jungle gym for those really cold days, this Indoor playground may be perfect.
For kids that love to climb, this indoor climbing toy with ladders is a great way for kids to burn off energy indoors.
More Activities for Kids
Check out these blog posts with more fun activities for kids.
- 65 Activities to Keep Kids Busy at Home
- 15 Road Trip Activities for Kids with Free Printables
- 33 Birthday Party Activities for Teenagers
- Best Kept Secret Family Vacation Spots
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
It looks like there’s a lot of fun ideas to do outside. Our favorite thing to do in the winter is to sled or to ski. We live close to the mountain so we try to ski as much as we can.
I really enjoy going for walks when the weather turns colder. Very invigorating. The kids love to go sledding when there’s enough snow out.
I LOVE getting out and about when the weather gets colder. It’s so much nicer thank walking around in the middle of the Georgia summer.
Sledding is our jam in the winter! When the snow falls, we bust out the sleds and get after it. It’s so much fun to get out there and barely survive the hill! LOL
Moving outside is a great way to enjoy the winter months and literally break a sweat. We take our dogs for walks every evening and just love the winter walks most.
Such wonderful ideas and we all do need to stay active all year long. My family takes Nature Made vitamins and stand by them – a great brand indeed!
Our dogs like to go for walks no matter how cold it is outside! We love to go sledding with our kids. Hopefully we will have snow this year!
I started taking Vitamin D when the time changed. I like to get out to walk the dogs in the winter. It is always so pretty right after a snowfall.
My dog does not realize it is so cold outside! She roams around, taking her time, and I am shivering and wishing it were warmer! Your dog is adorable.
I love getting outdoors and having a dog that loves to walk at our local park gives me a good reason to do it! I need to try a few more of your tips too!
Love this list! We like to go to out cabin int eh winder and have a fire outdoors. A nice boil up with tea and hotdogs! Yay! Winter 🙂
My kids and I really loves outdoor activities! This would be great for my family to keep healthy!
This is great! My children loving being outside no matter the weather and these are great ideas for activities.
I think these are all great ideas. I try to take walks when I can. I think it’s great in the cooler months as long as you don’t walk to far.
Hiking is our favorite thing to do when it’s colder. We have a place near our home which is a perfect hiking spot.
These are perfect options. The kids love when we take the dogs out even when it’s cold.
Hiking is so much fun, especially now that the heat isn’t crazy it is awesome!
This is such a great list of outdoor activities you got here. Gathering around the fire is my most favorite of all. 🙂
Sledding is SO much fun, luckily we get lots of snow up here! I never forget to take my Nature Made Vitamins, they really seem to help throughout the year
I love walking in the fall before it gets too cold. It’s so refreshing and feels so good. I need to get these feet on the pavement soon. – yolonda