When it’s cold outside, many families find themselves spending more time indoors. Identifying outdoor winter activities for children can sometimes be challenging. Winter sports, like skiing, ice skating, or hockey, take skill and practice and are sometimes cost-prohibitive for families.
Because of the added equipment outdoor winter sports can be more expensive than those during summer. Before financially committing to signing your child up for a winter sport, find videos or websites to help gauge their interest level. Once you’ve identified a sport your child is excited about, encourage their participation and perseverance.
Participating in outdoor winter sports can also be fun adventures to explore as a family. Take skiing or ice skating, for example. Getting away for the day to visit a ski slope or community ice rink is a great way to spend time together and to see if your child shows interest in these types of activities.
If your child isn’t interested in participating in a cold-weather sport, remember some organized winter sports take place inside, for example, gymnastics, wrestling, dance, or basketball. These types of activities may be offered at no cost through public school systems, or available as a community opportunity.
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Organized Sports |
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Indoor |
Outdoor |
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Snow Shoeing |
Snowboarding |
Hockey |
Basketball |
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Skiing |
Cross-country Skiing |
Figure Skating |
Soccer |
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Dance |
Fencing |
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Wrestling |
Swimming |
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Gymnastics |
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Family and Community Activities |
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Sledding |
Public Ice Skating |
Winter Fun Fairs |
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Building a Snowman |
Skiing |
Snow Tubing |
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Hiking |
Cross-country Skiing |
Bowling |
It can be easy for children to become sedentary during the winter months. Getting them interested in activities during winter helps to increase enthusiasm and maintain an optimal level of fitness. Participating in organized winter competition sports may also increase your child’s confidence, discipline, positive self-image, and teamwork skills.