Winter bucket list: 28 Fun Indoor & outdoor winter Activities To Participate in
Are you looking for fun things to do in winter? Then check out these winter bucket list ideas for inspiration on what to do in winter!
While most people dislike winter or plan to stay indoors because of the cold, the snowy season presents a number of outdoor activities to do!
I mean just because the sun is gone, it doesn’t mean that you have to match the gloomy weather and take on the same attitude! You can turn things around and have an amazing time outside!
How would you do that? I am glad you asked! There are so many things to do in winter that you probably didn’t even think about.
But since you’re here, I will let you in on the secret by sharing with you some of the best winter outdoor activities you can add to your winter bucket list.
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I guarantee, they will not only bring out your adventurous side but also make you feel warmer at the same time.
From skiing, ice fishing, winter camping, cozying up at the fireplace, here are some of the awesome winter bucket list ideas you should try out this season.
And for easy navigation, this winter bucket is broken down into indoor winter activities, outdoor activities in winter, fun activities in the winter for foodies, to any other activity that I think is worth adding to your winter bucket lists.
The Ultimate Winter Bucket List
Winter Bucket List Ideas: Adventurous Outdoor activities for winter
1. Go Dog Sledding
We’re starting off our winter bucket list with one of the most adventurous activities.
As most people choose to curl up on the couch, choose the adventurous side of things by hitting the snow and enjoying being pulled by the dogs!
It’s so exhilarating you’ll forget that you were freezing a few minutes before you hopped on. But of course, you’ll need to wear the right clothes for it!
2. Test your balancing skills By Going Ice skating
If dog sledding scares you or you just don’t live near any dog sledding destination, you might want to try out your balancing skills on the ice.
And don’t worry if you’ve never been on a skate, you can sign up for a quick class and you’ll be on your way to the skating Olympics — ok maybe not but you’ll still have fun.
If your hometown doesn’t have any frozen lakes, you can always do it on an ice rink as most places create ice rinks during winter!
3. Catch some fish by going Ice fishing
Know a waterbody nearby that is completely frozen? This might be your chance to try out ice fishing.
Get your ice fishing rod ready, get to know the best time to go ice fishing in the waterbody you’re planning to go to and you might just catch some dinner!
Don’t worry if you end up with no fish, you’ll instead get bragging rights that you’ve ever gone ice fishing.
4. Take on a snowshoeing adventure
One of the most adventurous activities for winter is hitting the trail. If you love hiking, consider hiking in winter.
It’s a fun way to taste your abilities, hike that famous trail that you were unable to in summer since it was crowded, or just take the trail no one ever takes — I learned this from a popular hiking quote I came across recently.
Psst… As you go snowshoeing, make sure that you have the right winter hiking gear as you might just freeze to d*ath.
Things not to leave behind include these MSR Evo Snowshoes, Insulated rain jacket, Smartwool ski gloves or you can check out this complete packing list for snowshoeing.
5. Try out winter camping
If you love camping as much as I do, then you know that you can go camping any time of the year as long as you have the right camping gear.
Don’t let the coldness stop you from enjoying the outdoors! Grab your camping tent, winter jacket, winter boots, and all your other winter camping accessories and hit the outdoors.
And if you plan to go camping with your furry friend, don’t forget to take the dog camping gear for his/her comfort.
And while you’re there, make sure that you don’t make the camping mistakes most beginner campers make.
6. Hit the slopes on a skiing trip
Another adventurous activity to add to your winter break bucket list is skiing! There are so many ski resorts all around the world, that it would be a shame to miss out on this adventure.
Skiing is actually one of those outdoor winter activities I am always looking forward to every time winter comes.
So pack all your skiing essentials and let the adventure begin.
7. Try out Snowboarding
If you still want more recommendations on winter sports to try out this season, then try out snowboarding.
Get over your fear of “crushing” in snow and get on board! Fun yet adventurous, you’ll be glad you left your warm house even if you end up under the snow instead of being on top of it.
8. Build a Snowman/Angel
If you have kids, then this is one of the fun winter activities to do!
But actually, even if you have no kids, you can let your inner child come out and build a snowman! Who says you can’t have fun in the snow as an adult.
9. Throw snowballs at each other
If all the winter sports I’ve mentioned above are way too adventurous for you, then throwing snowballs at your friends and family will suit you.
The best part is that you don’t have to travel far looking for ski resorts like with other sports!
Just leave your bed, layer up, go to your backyard (assuming you live in a snowy place), make a bunch of hard snowballs, and hit your opponents!
This is literally the only time you’ll be allowed to hit someone while still having fun with them.
10. Soak into a hot spring
If you’d rather stay warm even while enjoying the outdoors then soaking into a hot spring is the perfect activity to add to your winter bucket list.
11. Take a winter trip to somewhere snowy
While some people might find it hard to travel during the cold temperature, winter is still a beautiful time to visit places. In fact, some places are even more beautiful in winter.
With roofs covered in snow, snowflakes falling, less crowded attractions, and of course reduced fares on flights and accommodation, winter is a beautiful time of the year to visit places like national parks and expensive big cities.
And if you need inspiration on where to go, you can check out my list of the best snowy winter destinations in Europe.
12. Check into a cozy cabin in the mountains
Have you seen those photos on Instagram with people chilling in a cozy cabin in the mountains during winter?
That could be you this year if you add this item to your winter bucket lists.
13. Escape the winter and go somewhere warm
The truth is that traveling in winter is not everyone’s cup of tea! If that’s you, then you can opt for winter sun destinations instead to enjoy the sun while others bear the cold!
Yes, sun chasing is a thing and this winter might be the time you try it out! Go where the sun is and make us jealous!
14. Visit a Frozen waterfall
Waterfalls are so beautiful to look at in summer as you admire the intensity of the water falling but there is something magical about looking at a frozen waterfall.
With piles of white snow taking on different forms and shapes, nothing beats the beauty of a frozen waterfall.
So if you know a waterfall near your home, dress up now and wait to be amazed!
15. Chase The Northern Lights
Also known as Aurora borealis, the Northern lights are a beautiful display of various colors usually, green, pink, red, blue, etc, on the night sky that you ought to see once in your life.
Since they’re only visible on dark and cold nights with clear skies, you can only see them in winter and only in really northern places that are in the Aurora zone between 65° and 72°.
If you don’t know where to go, you can check out this list of the best places to see the northern lights in Europe.
16. Do a Polar bear plunge
This winter activity is definitely not for the faint-hearted! I am not that brave to take on the cold but for people who want to do crazy fun winter activities, this is for you.
But if you’re wondering what a polar bear plunge is; it is an event held during the winter where participants enter a water body regardless of how cold it is!
Different countries do it for different reasons with the USA doing it to raise money for charity organizations, Canada doing it on New Year’s Day to welcome the new year in style while in the Netherlands, they add a twist of wearing a red hat and cap while dipping into the cold waters on New years!
If you have the stomach for it, you’ll join the growing number of people around the world who brave themselves for this event.
17. Go for a Sleigh Ride
I can’t be the only one who thinks taking a Sleigh Ride is super cool!
Might look cheezy to some people but wintertime especially around Christmas is time to do all sorts of fun things and let your wild and young self shine through.
So book a sleigh ride in your town and enjoy Santa’s fun ride!
18. Attend a winter festival
Thankfully winter doesn’t mean staying bored at home! You can still go out and have fun while attending various winter festivals.
From the Venice Carnival in Italy, Nice Carnival in France, to the Carnival Of Santa Cruz De Tenerife in Spain, there are so many winter festivals to add to your winter bucket list.
19. Watch Christmas lights
For most people, the start of the winter season means Christmas and nothing is more beautiful during the holiday season than admiring Christmas lights.
Big cities usually go all out at displaying the best Christmas lights to fully bring out the magic of the holidays.
So get out and enjoy the Christmas-filled atmosphere as you celebrate the most magical time of the year.
20. Visit a Christmas Market
I might have hinted about it in my previous point but yes, attending a Christmas Market is one of the fun activities to do in winter.
You’ll get to see some of the beautiful Christmas decorations and you can also buy your Christmas gifts and ornaments from there if you haven’t done so.
Winter Bucket list ideas: Indoor fun things to do in the winter
21. Take a swim in a heated pool
There is no better time to enjoy a heated pool than in winter! With coldness raging, soaking yourself in a heated pool will feel like heaven.
Get your bikini plus all your other swimming essentials and hit the heated pool.
22. Learn to make Ice sculptures
If learning a new skill is on your list this summer, then I suggest trying out ice sculpting.
Intimidating as it might sound, learning how to make ice sculptures is super fun and it will officially give you bragging rights and temporarily make you an artist!
23. Sleep in an ice hotel
Ain’t you happy to know that we have such artistic people who make hotels out of ice! Yes, you read it right! An ice hotel!
Book a night in hotels like Hotel de Glâce in Canada (which is the only ice hotel in North America), Hotel of Ice in Romania, SnowHotel in Finland, etc. to experience this outstanding adventure.
24. Start Prepping for Christmas
As soon as winter kicks in, everyone starts thinking about Christmas! Actually these days people starting prepping for the holidays as early as October!
Don’t do holiday things last minute! Get your stocking stuffers, Christmas Eve boxes, Christmas gifts, and your tree on time to have a fun holiday season.
25. Watch a Christmas movie
One of the things I always look forward to during winter is watching Christmas movies.
And yes, I still watch Home Alone literally every Christmas, and every year I add new collections to my Christmas movie marathon.
26. Cozy up Infront of a fire place
Winter is the perfect time of the year to get the fireplace going! It’s not only great for warming up but also great to connect with your loved ones!
With a hot chocolate in hand, fire going, good conversation flowing, you can’t ask for a more family bonding moment than this.
But if you live alone, you can still cozy up in front of the fire pit while reading a good book or sipping on wine.
27. Warm-up with mulled wine
One of the things I am usually excited about during winter is drinking mulled wine!
This warm spiced-up drink can be easily bought especially in Christmas markets or you can make your own if you buy this mulled wine spice kit.
28. Plan a staycation
Can’t travel anywhere at the moment for whatever reason? Don’t let your travel adventurous side die!
You can still plan a staycation by trying out these cool staycation ideas and I guarantee you’ll have a blast.
Final Thoughts On The Ultimate Winter bucket list
If you were looking for fun activities for winter, I hope that my winter bucket list inspired you to consider ideas you hadn’t thought of before.
Which winter outdoor activity can’t you wait to do or which activities will you be adding to your winter bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!
And if you have any other winter bucket list ideas that are not included on my list, still leave them in the comments below to inspire others.
More bucket list ideas to inspire you
- The Ultimate bucket list for summer
- Africa bucket list ideas
- Places to add to your European bucket list
- Best cities in Asia to add to your bucket list
- Adventurous activities to add to your bucket list
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Thank you for some great ideas, can’t wait to try some of them out!
I am glad you found these ideas helpful!