If you live in a state where the winter months are long and brutal, you know the struggle that comes with keeping the kids busy during that time. Creating a winter break bucket list is a great way to get the kids excited and off of their screens – something all parents will appreciate. In this blog, we will go over the steps it takes to create a tangible bucket list, as well as list our favorite winter bucket list ideas to help inspire you to make yours. Snow let’s dive in!
How to Create a Bucket List
Step 1: Gather Supplies
Like all great projects, you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies. This can include items such as a notebook or journal, colorful pens or pencils, stickers and any other decorations your child likes.
Step 2: Choose a Special Bucket List Book
Take a quick trip to your local “has everything” store, and let your child pick a special notebook, journal or poster board to be their official bucket list guide. This will make the process more personal and fun!
Step 3: Brainstorm and Dream Big
It’s time to put the thinking caps on! Grab a separate sheet of paper, sit down with your child and have them come up with ideas of activities for the list. Make sure you encourage them to dream BIG. Prompt them with questions like:
Write everything down, even if some of the activities are similar. Once the ideas start rolling, you’ll be shocked how big your list could get!
Step 4: Create Categories
Once the brainstorming session is over, we suggest creating categories to make the list more organized and easier to manage. Common categories might include Travel, Adventures, Learning, Helping Others and Personal Goals etc.
Step 5: Start Listing
Under each category, start listing the specific items your child wants to achieve or experience this winter. These could be as simple as "learn to swim" or as ambitious as "make a 5 course meal from scratch."
Step 6: Draw and Decorate
Encourage your child to decorate their bucket list with drawings, doodles and stickers related to their goals. This will make the list more engaging and visually appealing plus the more time spent on their list, the less time spent on screens!
Step 7: Prioritize
Have your child think about which items on their list are the most important or achievable right now. Help them choose a few items they'd like to focus on first. If they are able to achieve items on their list right away, it will help keep their interest & motivation for checking more off the list. But remember, the winter is long – so spread out the fun a little bit!
Step 8: Celebrate Achievements
As your child starts checking off items from their bucket list, it's important to celebrate their achievements. You can do this by taking photos, creating a scrapbook or simply acknowledging their hard work and determination.
Step 9: Review and Update
Regularly review the bucket list with your child to see what they've accomplished and what's left to achieve. It's okay to add new items or adjust existing ones as interests and priorities change.
Step 10: Stay Inspired
Remember that the key is to make the experience enjoyable, memorable and a source of positive family bonding. Keep the focus on having fun rather than just checking items off a list, and your child is more likely to stay inspired and engaged in fulfilling the winter bucketlist.
Our Favorite Winter Bucket List Activities to Add to Your List:
Remember to adapt your winter to do list to your child's age, interests and the weather conditions in your area. The most important thing is to have fun and create lasting winter memories! Here is our list of winter activities:
Build a Snowman
Start your winter adventure on a playful note by building a snowman. Whether you're a kid or a kid at heart, creating this classic winter character is always a fun activity for the whole family. Don't forget to accessorize your snowman with a carrot nose and button eyes!
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating is a timeless winter activity that offers fun for all ages. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned skater, you'll enjoy the exhilarating feeling of gliding on the ice or have a good laugh from your epic falls!
Make Homemade Hot Cocoa
Warm up after your outdoor adventures with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Instead of using a premade mix, find a recipe online and make a homemade version! You could even make a large batch and gift it to your neighbors or friends! Make sure you top off your drink with whipped cream and marshmallows for an extra treat.
Watch the Northern Lights
If you're lucky enough to live in an area where the Northern Lights grace the night sky, put this awe-inspiring natural spectacle on your bucket list. Witnessing the dancing colors of the Aurora Borealis is a breathtaking experience you won't forget.
Explore a Museum
On a particularly cold day, visit a local museum or science center to learn and have fun indoors. Just Google museums nearest you and choose one that peaks the most interest!
Have a Snowball Fight
Unleash your inner child and engage in a friendly snowball fight with family or friends. This activity gets the whole family outside and active! You can get really creative and build snow forts and walls to add an element of strategy to your game. Make sure to bundle up to keep the cold from dampening the fun with icy hands and feet!
Camp Indoors
Set up a winter-themed indoor camping adventure equipped with a tent, sleeping bags and of course s'mores by the fireplace. You can even add glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling so you can stargaze when you turn the lights off!
Bake Holiday Treats
Get creative in the kitchen and bake a variety of delicious winter treats. Gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies and homemade pies are all excellent choices. Share them with your loved ones or have a pie/dessert eating contest – both fun and acceptable in our book!
Host a Winter Olympics
Create your own Winter Olympics with family, friends or neighbors. Your Olympics could feature games like ice skate races, snowball toss and sled relay races – the sky's the limit on all the different games you could include! You could even purchase medals from Amazon and have your own medal ceremony for the winners!
Winter Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of winter-themed items for a scavenger hunt in your backyard or local park. Your hunt list could include: pinecone, frozen leaf, winter berries, animal nest etc.
Visit a Zoo or Wildlife Sanctuary
Many zoos and wildlife sanctuaries offer special winter programs and events for kids to learn about and observe animals in the winter.
Go Sledding or Tubing
Grab your snow gear, a sled, or an inflatable tube and head to the nearest hill. Sledding down snow-covered slopes is an exhilarating adventure that will keep your kids active for hours! Just make sure to dress them in the best winter gear!
Take a Winter Hike
Experience nature in the winter by taking a hike through a snow-covered forest. Choose an area you normally explore during the summer and see it in the beauty of winter! Make sure to bundle up and appreciate the tranquil atmosphere.
Attend a Winter Festival
Many regions host winter festivals filled with entertainment, food and activities the whole family can enjoy. Google winter festivals near you, make a plan and head out for a day of winter fun!
Watch a Holiday Movie Marathon
Gather your friends, make some popcorn or your favorite movie snack, and have a holiday movie marathon. This is another great “it's too cold to go outside” activity! We recommend classics like "The Grinch," "Home Alone," and "A Christmas Story."
Track Wildlife
Go animal tracking in the snow and see if you can find animal footprints or traces. You could even have a competition to see who can find the most tracks!
Try Cross-Country Skiing
Give cross-country skiing a try and explore the winter wonderland at a slower pace. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors and burn some energy. No gear? No worries! A lot of parks have places to rent gear for the day.
Conclusion
Ditch the screens and embrace the winter by checking off these activities from your winter bucket list. Whether you're seeking adventure or cozy moments by the fireplace, there's something on this list for everyone. Make the most of this season, create lasting memories with friends and family, and revel in the beauty and fun that winter brings. Let this winter bucket list be your guide to a season filled with joy and adventure. And don’t forget to stock up on your L-BOW gear for all of the fun outside activities!