8 Budget-Friendly Activities to Keep The Family Entertained This Winter

Winter can be an especially enchanting season for us Aussies, with the appeal of getting cosy indoors during rain or frost. But the time for hot choccies, roasted marshmallows, and blankets poses a unique challenge: how do you entertain the entire family all winter long? More importantly, how do you do it on a budget?

The good news is that lots of fun and cheap activities can help transform your winter days into beautiful family memories. From indoor exploration to outdoor expedition, here are 8 budget-friendly activities to keep your family entertained this winter!

• Streaming Movie Marathons

One of the easiest ways to keep the little ones entertained this frosty season is to host a movie marathon in the comfort of your living room. It’s as simple as choosing a theme, whether that is classic Disney adventures, superhero sagas, or a series of family-friendly comedies that everyone can enjoy.

One of the biggest perks of home movie marathons is that you don’t have to fork out dollars at the local cinema. You also have thousands of movies to choose from when accessing streaming libraries.

While streaming your favourite movies, it's essential to keep your viewing experience safe and secure. Choose the best VPN for Firestick, Apple TV, or other streaming platforms to enjoy your marathon without interruptions.

• Indoor Camping

Camping is a great family activity in spring and summer. But for many of us, roughing it out in the wild when temperatures dip into the single digits can feel like more of a nightmare than a fun-filled experience. Especially if you don’t have the right winter travel gear.

This winter season, why not enjoy camping without ever leaving the comfort of your home? Indoor camping can spark creativity and encourage imaginative play among kids. Create a tent with several blankets and sheets in your living room, then pad it with comfy pillows and sleeping bags. To create a more magical setting, use fairy lights to mimic twinkling stars, and there you have it — your very own campsite inside your living room.

Go one step further by whipping up some traditional camping treats. You can make s'mores or chocolate-covered strawberries with your kids. From here, share stories, sing campfire songs, or play board games inside your tent.

• DIY Craft Projects

Come rain or sunshine, DIY craft projects are always winners. All you need is some paper, glue, scissors and colour to spark creativity in everyone.

Simple crafts like paper snowflakes or handprint art are fun and can provide a sense of accomplishment for the little ones. Older children and adults can do more elaborate crafts like knitting, crocheting, woodworking, or even portrait painting. Collaborating on a project not only triggers those creative muscles but also fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Not to mention crafting can also be very educational. Incorporate lessons about colours, shapes, and measurements as you work on different projects. Or teach the kids about sustainability by recycling and repurposing old materials into something new. The best part? Craft supplies are generally inexpensive, and you can often use items you already have at home. It ticks all the boxes!

• Baking & Cooking Adventures

Winter is the perfect time to indulge in all your favourite comfort foods. Get the family involved here by planning some baking and cooking adventures. Most children love creating a little chaos in the kitchen, so take this opportunity to turn meal prep into family fun! Select recipes that are simple to follow and involve a lot of participation (think cookies, muffins, or DIY pizzas).

Baking helps teach kids about measurements, following directions, and even a little bit of maths. And of course, it also makes a nice reward after all that hard work. Depending on the age and skill level, assign different chores to family members so everyone can contribute. Young ones can get into mixing and decorating treats. Older kids might tackle more complicated tasks like measuring or oven work.

Besides sweet treats, consider cooking hearty winter dishes together. Working together to make soups, stews, or casseroles can provide your family with a warm and satisfying dinner on top of being a whole lot of fun. Try new recipes or rely on the tried and true traditional family favourites — whatever works best for your crew.

• Family Game Nights

Nothing can compete with the old-school charm of a family game night. So, dust off those board games and cards or puzzles that have been collecting cobwebs in your closet for years — now is their time to shine! From Monopoly and Clue to Scrabble and Charades, there’s a game for every age group and interest. And the best part? It’s also a great way to create friendly competition among family members and engage them.

Even if you don’t have a wide variety of games tucked away in your closet, you can turn to digital options like trivia apps or online multiplayer games. To keep things fresh, rotate the games weekly or introduce a new game every month. You can also add a twist by hosting themed game nights, complete with fancy costumes or themed snacks. This creates an exciting and varied experience, making game nights a staple winter activity you can turn to year after year.

• Outdoor Winter Sports

Are you an adventure-loving family? Well, then, don’t let the cold weather get in your way. Embrace the season by planning outdoor winter sports activities for the crew — from ice skating, sledding, or even snowshoeing. Winter sports are not just a fun and budget-friendly way to keep little ones entertained. It’s also the perfect way to stay active and healthy this winter season. Most of these activities can also be done in local neighbourhood parks or outdoor recreation areas and require low to no gear.

If you want to take it one step further, you could even enrol your kids in local junior sports clubs, like footie clubs, rugby leagues, or even indoor basketball teams. Many community centres and local sports clubs offer winter programs that keep kids moving and engaged, regardless of the weather. Here, they can meet new kids, learn sportsmanship, and be part of a team. The benefits of getting the kids up and about are endless, especially during the colder months when it’s easy to fall into a sedentary routine.

• Virtual Museum Tours

With the rise of virtual experiences, you can now explore some of the world’s most famous museums with your kids from the comfort of your home. Lots of world-famous museums offer free virtual tours that allow you to wander through their exhibits and learn about art, history, and culture online.

Imagine exploring the Louvre in Paris, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums or the NASA museum! Virtual tours are a fantastic educational tool, providing a ton of knowledge and visual stimulation for the entire family.

You could even take it one step further by pairing virtual tours with relevant activities. For example, after your virtual tour, visit a local art museum or even recreate artwork at home. Or, if you’ve toured a historical site, watch a documentary or read a book about that period. This not only enhances the learning experience but also makes it more interactive and enjoyable.

• Visiting Local Farms

Last but not least, why not hit up one of your local farms this winter? There are plenty of farms scattered all around Australia that offer a variety of fun and educational activities. Some are open year-round and offer winter activities like hayrides, petting zoos, or fruit picking. These are perfect for a day trip, where you get to make the most of some lovely fresh air and beautiful countryside with your family.

A trip to a farm offers an entertaining break from the winter doldrums. It also provides your family with some hands-on fun that helps kids learn about agriculture and sustainability. Not to mention, farm visits also lead to some incredible family photos for the gram. Snap the kids interacting with animals or taking part in farm activities, creating lasting memories of your winter farm visit.

Final Words

And there you go. Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation for the whole family. With these budget-friendly activities, you can keep everyone entertained, engaged, and active throughout the season. From indoor camping to virtual museum tours and farm adventures, there’s something for every age group and interest on this list.

So, what are you waiting for? Bundle up, get creative, and make the most of your winter days together!