45 Awesome Activities to Add to Your Toddlers Winter Bucket List (2023)

Winter days with a toddler can certainly present their challenges, but with a dash of creativity and plenty of indoor activities, they can also be filled with joy and fun memories! As a parent navigating these winter days with my own little one, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of sensory, motor, and craft activities to keep us happily occupied.

Today, I’m excited to share our curated list of favorite winter activities to inspire your toddler’s winter adventures. From sensory play to arts and crafts, these activities are sure to delight and engage your little one during those cozy indoor days.

But that’s not all! I’ve also included some fantastic winter suggestions from fellow parenting bloggers, adding even more excitement to your toddler’s winter bucket list.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but this comes at no additional cost to you. 

1. Make a snow angel

There is nothing more fun or stimulating than playing in the snow. Once Lennox steps foot in this white, heavenly bliss, there is no point of return. There are so many things you can do in the snow as well. I’ll mention some more further down.

2. Have a hot chocolate party

Lennox has a few neighborhood friends and one of the mamas invited us over for a hot chocolate party. I thought it was such a great idea, I just had to share!

3. Read a book about snow

Lennox loves reading, and what a more winter activity that to cuddle up under a blanket with a good book. Sounds heavenly to me. Here are some great recommendations.

Check out 25 winter books in Spanish for your toddler here.

4. Play with a box

Boxes are an amazing indoor prop to keep your toddler busy.

Lennox was at this box for a good hour. First, he started to draw on it. Then, he accidentally poked a hole in the box and thought it was fascinating to make a million more. Lastly, he started creating music to his drilling.

Needless to say, not only was it entertaining but exerted a lot of energy as well. Just look at that concentration and dedication.

Related: Construction Zone Sensory Bean Box for Toddlers and Preschoolers

5. Learn winter words with Read Build Write Mats

by: Fun with Mama

“These free printable winter read build write mats are great for literacy centers and word work. “- Fun with Mama

6. Have a pajama day

Go explore the outdoors, or indoors in your pajamas! Caretaker, you have to partake as well!

7. Play a Lego color sorting toss

8. Learn about winter in Spanish

Related: 7 ways I teach Lennox Spanish as a nonnative speaker here

9. Make Elsa’s Frozen Slime

With Crayons & Cravings

“An easy Frozen slime recipe that Elsa would approve of! This glittery snowflake slime makes for a great Winter sensory play activity.” –Crayons & Cravings

10. Go on a Magical Sled Ride

11. Paint with snow

withTwo Kids and a Coupon

“With some cardstock, brushes and of course some snow, you can create a craft day to remember with your kids” –Two Kids and a Coupon

12. Play a board or card game

Here is a list of some of our favorite toddler board games:

13. Watch a movie in cozy socks

14. Play Winter Bingo

with The Artisan Life

“These winter bingo picture cards are a cheerful way to brighten a dreary winter day. They’re also great for your child because they encourage paying attention to detail, listening carefully, and practicing visual discrimination. I hope you have as much fun playing with them as my family does!” -The Artisan Life

Related: Printable Winter Bingo in Spanish

15. Whip out the kitchen utensils

You just never know how entertaining random things will be for a toddler, so whip out those utensils and watch him have a hey day!

16. Make some peanut butter play doh

with Lala to Mama’s awesome recipe

Related: An Easy & Sensory Peppermint Slime Recipe To Make this Christmas!

17. Have a shaving cream party in the bathtub

Shaving cream is so sensory for toddlers and what a better place to do it in the bathtub for easy cleaning access.

Here is a quick hack for cleaning that tub after all of the sensory mess!

18. Make a snow sensory bin

with Cookies, Coffee & Crafts

19. Build a blanket fort

20. Bake some cookies

21. Play with some loose parts in the outdoors!

Read more: What Are Loose Parts?

22. Make Simple Polar Bear Origami

with Red Ted Art

“This Polar Bear is super quick and easy to make – I love that you just need printer paper – something available to most people I would hope AND is a great Introduction to Origami for Preschool and kids of all ages! Origami is a wonderful skill to teach kids, and you can start them quite young. There are some fantastic Educational Benefits to Origami – from fine motor skills, to spacial skills, as well as learning to follow instructions etc.”-Red Ted Art

23. Make a handmade gift

24. Watch Frozen

Only the best movie ever….Let it go, let it go

25. Make a snowman

with: Honey I’m Home

26. Work on letters with these free letter printables

27. Play with some loose parts

Loose Parts are “beautiful found objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change while they play- Lisa Daly and Miriam Bloglovsky

28. Have a cleaning spree with mama, and recycle those unwanted toys

29. Make a Cheerios Bird Feeder

Photo Credit: Red Ted Art

“Making bird feeders in Winter (or any time of year actually), is a fun and simple activity to do with Kids. Not only is it it great to help local wildlife (especially in urban environments like ours), observe our local wildlife as they come to feed, but it is also a great way to teach kids about being kind to animals and thoughtful about what the Winter brings and how to help others.”-Red Ted Art

30. Tinker tray play

A tinker tray is a tray full of loose objects that a child can manipulate however they want. Coming from the theory of loose parts, they are open-ended objects which can be played with infinitely, unlike toys that have one sole purpose.

31. Play with Magnatiles

Let me just tell you, these things are AH-mazing. I saw them at Lennox’s play based preschool and I just had to get them. He loves them and they are great for all sorts of building.

32. Learn about hibernating animals

with The Natural Homeschool

33. Go to the movies

34. Make a Frozen Glitter Sensory Bottle

With Glitter on a Dime

“Glitter Jars are also known as Calm Down Jars and can be used to “calm down” or relax stressed out children.”- Glitter on a Dime

35. Play with Dominos

Dominos are a fun and open-ended. Your toddler can play a game with them, build with them, make an absolute mess with them, or all of the above. Regardless, they are super entertaining for your tot.

36. Go on a winter nature walk

Related: Forest Animals Printables in Spanish

37. Make a Pinecone Owl

Photo Credit: Life Should Cost Less

38. Have a snowball fight

The cool part about snow, is that (throwing) it won’t break bones, or windows if you have a snow ball fight. Therefore, it is the best toddler activity. Just don’t go start packing it into ice now, and it will be an entertaining, energy exerting activity for your toddler.

39. Play with some plastic cups

Plastic cups are open-ended as well. You can build them, play bowling, or pretend they are shoes and gloves (or so I am assuming—see picture below), among many more.

40. Have a family play doh sesh

I got him Lennox this play doh kit for Christmas and I’m not gonna lie, Carlos, Lennox and I played with it for a good two hours the other day. It is so calming and fun. Carlos was the most creative with his snake and man.

41. Make a snowman with this Snowman Playdough Kit

with Natural Beach Living

42. Go on a winter scavenger hunt

43. Have a sleepover in the living room

Bring down all of the comfy blankets, pop some popcorn, find the perfect movie and camp out in the living room!

44. Have some sensory seasonal fun with this snow slime recipe

with Natural Beach Living

45. Try out some of these winter printable activities!

I hope you found some inspiration in these activities. I will continue to think of more activities and share them with you in the future. In the meantime, let me know in the comments below which activities are a must do for you and your toddler!!!!

46. Practice letters with this sensory salt writing tray!

Other winter posts you might enjoy:

• 4 Ways to Have a Family Fun Day in the Snow with Your Baby This Winter
• 20 Loose Parts Outdoor Activities for Toddlers
• Free Activities in Spanish for Your Child This Winter