Making the Most of Dark, Cold Evenings: Outdoor Play Ideas for Winter

If you’re anything like me, winter evenings can feel long. By the time the school run is done, dinner is sorted, and everyone’s finally found their other glove, it’s already dark outside. It’s so tempting to shut the curtains, stay cosy, and forget the outdoors even exists. But every time I make the effort to get the boys outside for even ten minutes, their moods lift, the after-school grumps melt away, and I remember why outdoor play in winter is so important – for all of us.

Fresh air, movement, and a little adventure can work wonders on children’s mental health (and ours!), even when the sun’s packed up and gone home for the day. So here are some simple, joyful, low-effort ideas for making the most of those dark, cold winter evenings – things that feel magical rather than miserable, and that help keep everyone connected to the outdoors without any fuss.

Gear Up for Success

Before we dive into the fun stuff, it’s worth having a small winter-ready kit that makes getting out the door easier. We keep a “grab bag” by the door with wellies, waterproofs, spare gloves, hand warmers, and torches. It saves so much time and stops the classic “Muuuum, I can’t find my hat!” spiral.

Let the kids choose their own torches or winter accessories, because honestly, something as simple as picking a pair of glow-in-the-dark gloves can help transform a cold evening into an exciting adventure – and that’s a lot less stressful for everyone. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Winter Go-Bag Essentials*

1. Torchlit Mini Adventures

Winter’s early darkness can actually make the outdoors feel magical. A short torch walk around your neighbourhood or local park is such an easy way to turn an ordinary evening into something special. I used to do these with my dad when I was a kid, and I absolutely loved how different everything looked in torchlight.

Play simple games like:

Shadow Tag
Find the Sparkle (shine torches on reflective surfaces)
Animal Tracking (spot paw prints, listen for owls, look for nighttime wildlife)
Nighttime Sandcastles (if you’re lucky enough to live near the beach)

The calm, quieter vibe of being out in the dark often brings out a more mindful, observant side in children – and it’s genuinely relaxing for parents too.

Stay Safe: Adventuring at nighttime is a lot of fun, but remember to stay safe. Wear reflective clothing, ensure torches are charged, and steer clear of dangerous areas, such as busy roads.

2. Winter Nature Scavenger Hunts

You don’t need sunshine to explore nature. Create a simple scavenger list before you head out, or let your children help choose the items.

A few easy ideas to add to your scavenger hunt include:

Something crunchy
Something prickly
A winter bird
A bare branch
A pinecone
Something that glitters under torchlight

Pop your finds into a bag or tick items off a sheet. When you get home, share a hot chocolate together and chat about what you spotted; this is a lovely way to wind down and warm up.

You may also enjoy our FREE Spring Scavenger Hunt printable, our Summer Scavenger Hunt printable, and our Autumn Scavenger Hunt printable.

3. Embrace the Weather (Yes, Even the Rain!)

Hear me out: winter rain can actually be brilliant for outdoor play. Big puddles, splashes, muddy tracks – what’s not to love? If you want my advice, just throw on waterproofs and embrace the chaos!

If it’s really coming down, try:

Puddle Jumping Competitions
Raindrop Listening Games
Drawing in Mud with Sticks
Watching how water trickles along paths or into drains

Not only does it get them moving, but something is grounding about being outside in “real” weather. I find that it slows everyone down and encourages appreciation for the little things in life.

4. Make Your Own Outdoor Challenges

Sometimes all you need is a tiny goal to coax everyone out the door. Try creating small, fun challenges like:

“Walk to the end of the road and find three different shaped leaves.”
“Spot five things that you can only see in winter.”
“Find something that makes a funny shadow under the torch.”

Or let your kids take the lead, because we all know that children are masters at turning normal walks into imaginative adventures if you give them the opportunity.

5. Outdoor Crafts & Wildlife Kindness

Winter is a great time to lend nature a hand.

Try:

Making simple bird feeders – Try Craft: Recycled toilet roll bird feeders & Easy Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders
Leaving seed mixes out and watching which birds visit
Collecting natural materials for crafts (sticks, winter berries, seed pods) and creating natural collages

Even ten minutes spent hanging a feeder or checking what’s changed in the garden gives kids a sense of purpose and helps them feel connected to wildlife.

6. Create a Winter Tradition

This is one of my favourite things to do. Pick one of these activities and make it a weekly family ritual, try something like:

“Winter Walk Wednesdays”
“Flashlight Friday Adventures”
“Sunday Night Nature Spotting”

These tiny traditions become the memories our kids hold onto. They don’t have to be big or time-consuming; they just need to be your family’s.

Making Winter Evenings Magical Again

Outdoor play in winter doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right layers, a bit of imagination, and a willingness to embrace the dark rather than hide from it, those cold evenings can turn into pockets of connection, calm, and joy.

If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to hear how you get on. And if you’ve got your own winter evening traditions or outdoor play tips, pop them in the comments – I always love finding new things to add to our routine!