Winter has a magic all on it’s own—crisp air, frosty mornings, and the quiet beauty of the woods. But convincing kids to head out into the cold can sometimes be a challenge! Here are some exciting winter activities to make your family forest walks a hit and turn chilly days into memorable adventures.
Pack a Winter Picnic 🥣🍎
Nothing warms you up on a winter walk like a cosy picnic! Pack a thermos of hot soup, some mulled apple juice, or even chilli pitta pockets to enjoy in the great outdoors. Eating outdoors in the cold is an adventure in itself, and a little warm treat can keep everyone’s spirits up.
Explore a Winter Wonderland ❄️
A snow-covered or frosty forest is pure magic! If you’re lucky enough to get snow, encourage the kids to be the first to leave footprints, hunt for sparkly icicles, or make a few “snow animals” instead of the traditional snowman. Frozen puddles and crunchy frosty leaves add to the winter wonderland, making every step feel like a discovery
Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt 🔎
Scavenger hunts are great for all ages, and winter offers its own unique treasures. Here are a few fun ideas to try:
- Choose a color and see how many matching natural items you can find.
- Pick a letter and search for objects starting with that letter.
- Try to spot items like evergreen leaves, colourful berries, a lacy leaf skeleton, or animal tracks. Winter forests hold so many hidden wonders—it’s all about looking closely!
Spot Winter Wildlife 🐦🦊
Though the woods may seem quieter, there’s still plenty of winter wildlife. Look out for bright holly leaves and red berries, squirrels chasing each other up trees, or even snowdrops peeking out from the ground. If you’re lucky, you might hear a robin’s cheerful song. You’ll be surprised by how much you can see (and hear) with a bit of patience!
Search for Animal Tracks and Clues 🐾
Even if you don’t see animals directly, the winter woods are full of clues! Encourage the kids to look out for animal tracks, scattered feathers, chewed leaves, or even little “presents” animals have left behind. Your walk becomes a detective mission as you guess which animals might have been there. The Woodland Trust’s “Poos and Clues” guide can help turn mystery clues into wildlife discoveries!
Hunt for Weird and Wonderful Fungi 🍄
Winter is one of the best times to spot fascinating fungi. With the leaves off the trees, mushrooms, jelly-like blobs, and colourful fungi are easier to see on tree trunks and fallen logs. Make it a game to see who can find the most varieties, and get creative by giving them funny names! Did you know some real fungi names include “snowy waxcap” and “turkeytail”?
Build a Den 🪵
Winter winds bring down plenty of sticks and branches, perfect for building a cosy den. Challenge your family to create a little hideaway or a “tower of twigs” together, using what’s already fallen to the ground. Den building is a fantastic way to encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Just remember to take it down before you leave so future explorers have plenty of materials too!
Go on a Welly Wander 🥾
For little ones, nothing beats the thrill of a “welly wander!” Let them know their wellies have special powers to take them on exciting adventures through frosty leaves, muddy puddles, and icy streams. Give permission to stomp and splash, and watch them light up with joy—because everything’s more fun when you’re wearing “super” wellies!
Use Your Imagination ✨
With a bit of creativity, any winter walk can transform into an unforgettable adventure. Pretend you’re explorers trekking through a wild, enchanted forest, hunting for hidden fairies, or spotting magical creatures. Take inspiration from your family’s favourite forest stories and act them out together. This imaginative play can make every tree, rock, and path feel like part of a fantasy world.
Winter walks don’t have to be just another chilly trek—each of these activities can turn a simple outing into a special family memory. So, grab those scarves, pack up some warm treats, and dive into the winter woods for a day full of exploration, laughter, and seasonal magic!
