Winter can be tough, especially for kids when there’s bad weather and not much to do. Often, we spend days and days stuck inside. And when it’s finally nice enough to go outside, there’s not a whole lot to do as a family. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of super easy, eco-friendly winter activities for the entire family to take part in!

Why Eco-Friendly?

Because nowadays, we should be considering our carbon footprint in everything we do. Changing the world starts with our kids, so eco-friendly family activities is a must-have. It’s one of the main steps to leading a healthy lifestyle, too. Things such as reducing waste, using less power, recycling materials, and even cleaning the air you breathe are all factors in a healthy lifestyle. Just check out sites like www.goodairgeeks.com for more environmentally friendly information and ways to decrease moisture in your home while also making the air cleaner!

Build a Snowman

This one is a no-brainer. If the sun comes out, bundle up and head outside to build a snowman! You could even kick it up a notch and do what I do with my kids; create an entire snowman family! Each member can make their own!

Build a Snow Fort

In order to fit the whole family, it would have to be a pretty big snow fort. But sometimes just the act of working together to play in the snow and build a fort is all you need to spend some quality time together this winter. Plus, it’s totally eco-friendly!

Have a Snowball Fight

This one is a favorite in my household. The kids just love having snowball fights! Spend some time building up a stack of snowballs and then let loose! Have some family fun.

Make an Ice Rink

This one will take lots of help from Mom and Dad, but when it’s done then whole family can have fun with it! Building an ice rink in your backyard is an activity that builds bonds and teaches kids the value of patience.

Using a shovel, clear off a space big enough to skate on. Even out the terrain as much as you can. Then get four pieces of lumber to create a square for the edges of the rink. Secure them in place and then carefully begin to spray the center with water from the hose. Once you’ve covered the area, let it freeze before adding more. Layer by layer, you’ll have a great ice rink right in your backyard!

Inside Activities

Because we can always go outside and spend family time together due to bad weather, especially with the little ones. Having a list of go-to eco-friendly indoor activities is a must to keep the family busy and entertained during the winter.

Movie Night

This is a personal favorite of mine. Pop the corn, gather up all the pillows and blankets, and throw on a great movie while the whole family bundles together. Spice it up even more by turning out the lights! Save power while enjoying a flic!

Family Painting

Painting is super fun, and kids absolutely love it. Cover the kitchen table with a protective covering, like garbage bags. But to keep this activity eco-friendly, opt for an old bedsheet. Just something to help keep any mess in place. Grab some paper, or recycled cardboard, and have the whole family sit around and paint some great pictures!

Baking

I don’t know about you, but my family loves to bake. It’s something we can all do together, no matter the age. Kids can mix the ingredients while Mom and Dad operate the oven. Then comes the fun part…decorating! Sprinkles and frosting and other fun goodies can be added by everyone. Have a decorate your own cupcake contest. Or, to keep this activity super eco-friendly, look for some no-bake recipes so you don’t have to use the stove or oven!

Crafts    

Arts and crafts are often the first thing we think of when deciding a fun family activity that kids can take part in. There are so many crafts to be done! In my household, we keep any cardboard, boxes, bottles, or other recyclable materials until we want to have a craft session. Not only will you have the perfect craft supplies right at your disposal, it’s also a great eco-friendly way to do it! Here are some cool ideas to get you started.

Make a bird feeder! Not all birds hibernate or fly South for the Winter months. And food is scarcer for them. So, make fun family bird feeders to pass the time plus help your little feathered friends.

Make solar panels! I know, it sounds like a great feat, but it’s actually easier than it sounds. Save up your pop cans and follow this awesome tutorial. Not only are you spending quality time together as a family during winter, but you’re also recycling AND creating something useful!

Macaroni art! Any stale macaroni or pasta I never throw away. It can be used to make fun jewelry or art with glue and paint!

Conclusion

There you have it, folks. Lots of great ideas to keep you and your little ones busy this Winter. But these are just the tip of the iceberg! You can find tons of cool ideas on the internet to do together as a family that are both fun and eco-friendly!