Seasonal activity ideas for winter in the Midwest?

Dec 11 min read

We did sledding last weekend but the kids want to do other stuff. Ice skating seems like a nightmare (no one has skates), and I'm not interested in driving 45 minutes to a ski resort every other weekend. What are you guys doing that's actually fun and doesn't require a ton of gear or money? Currently considering just letting them dig tunnels in snow piles but feel like I should be more creative lol.

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Comments(9)

EEd R.Regularjust now

Sledding's great but yeah it gets old fast. What about just building snow structures? Like actual involved fort building or competitive snowman stuff? Kids find that surprisingly engaging. Or snowball target practice if you have any trees.

TTony L.Regular17h ago

How cold are we talking? That changes options. If it's not brutal cold, just getting outside for movement helps - like organized backyard games, snow painting with food coloring, that kind of thing. If it's truly brutal, you're stuck with short outdoor bursts and hoping the kids are tired enough to play inside nicely.

FFrank K.Regular13h ago

Snowmobile rental places near you? Or like, snow day adventures that aren't skiing - building igloos, sledding on different hills, just exploring snowy trails. Not everything has to be a formal activity.

CChuck M.Regular22m ago

Ice skating without skates sucks - that's not a fun time. But here's Midwest winter stuff: sledding (which you did), snowball fort building, snowman competitions, ice fishing if you're into that (and the kids are old enough), outdoor board games in the snow if you're that committed.

LLuca P.Regularjust now

What about cross-country skiing instead of downhill? Way less gear, you can do it anywhere there's snow, and it's legitimately good exercise. Local parks usually have trails.

AAndy T.Regularjust now

Ice skating is honestly easier than it sounds - most rinks do beginner lessons and rental skates aren't that expensive. But if you're not into it, there's tons of other stuff. What about a sledding night with hot chocolate? Or snow fort building?

PPaul T.Regularjust now

For Midwest winter with minimal gear: sledding (you have), snow days and forts, ice skating if there's a local rink, indoor pools, board game/movie days, even just letting them play outside in the snow without structured activities. Sometimes the best winters are the unplanned ones.

SSam Y.Regularjust now

Winter in the Midwest is rough with kids who want activities. Sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing (if you rent), snowshoeing if you're outdoorsy. Beyond that you're pretty much looking at indoor stuff which defeats the purpose. Museum memberships become gold in winter.

TTim K.Regularjust now

Indoor mini golf, bowling, local pools with slides, aquariums - basically anything inside that gets you out of the house for a few hours. Winter in the Midwest doesn't have to be outdoor all the time.