Fun winter date ideas for couples and families

When the weather outside is frightful, it can be tempting to stay in and hibernate. But don't let the winter blues keep you from spending quality time with your partner. Here are some fun and budget-friendly winter date ideas for the cold season.

1. Ice skating

Embrace the chilly temperatures and go ice skating at a local rink. Or, find an indoor ice rink for year-round ice skating fun. It's a classic winter activity that can be both romantic and fun.

2. Hot chocolate tasting

Take your love for hot cocoa to the next level by trying out different flavors and toppings together. You can even turn it into a competition to see who can come up with the yummiest combination.

3. Indoor picnic

Spread out a blanket and have an indoor picnic in the warmth of your own home. Prepare some snacks and cozy up with your favorite movies or board games.

4. Snow tubing

Head to a nearby tubing hill for a thrilling winter date. You can find a local slope or head to a professional snow tube park.

5. Holiday lights tour

Take a drive or walk around your neighborhood to admire all the festive lights and decorations. You can make a game out of it by trying to spot the most elaborate displays. This classic winter date idea is a dazzling excuse to snuggle up for a stroll among romantic twinkle lights. 

6. Board game night

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Get competitive with each other in a friendly board game night. Dust off some old favorites, or try out a new game together.

7. Build a snowman

Embrace your inner child and build a snowman together! Bring along classic accessories like carrots for the nose, pebbles for the eyes, and twigs for the limbs. Don’t forget a scarf and hat!

8. Wine tasting at home

If holiday travel and socializing have you craving more downtime, skip the winery and create your own wine-tasting experience. Buy a selection of bottles from different regions or flavor profiles and try them out at home. You can even pair them with different types of cheese or chocolates for a delicious food-and-wine pairing experience.

9. Movie marathon

Choose a theme, gather some snacks, and snuggle up for a cozy movie marathon together. You can pick your favorites or try out new movies that fit the chosen theme.

10. Volunteer together

Spread some love and cheer by volunteering together for a cause you both care about. It's a meaningful way to spend time together and give back to the community.

11. Visit a winter wonderland or holiday light display

Many cities have festive events and displays during the winter season that make for a magical date. Tour a festive hotel and book dinner reservations, take a wintry walk through festive gardens, or try local museums and zoos, which often have annual light displays and other festive events. 

12. Baking competition

Put your baking skills to the test by having a friendly competition with your partner. You can choose a specific dish or ingredient to work with and see whose creation comes out on top.

13. Make gingerbread houses

Get crafty and build your own gingerbread house creations. You can even make it into a friendly competition to see who can come up with the most elaborate design. Stock up on colorful frostings, candies, faux snow, and any miniature accessories you want to build the gingerbread house of your dreams. 

14. Cooking class

Sign up for a cooking class together and learn how to make a new dish or cuisine. You'll not only have fun, but you'll also come away with some tasty new recipes. Taking a class together is also a clever way to bond through teamwork and communication. 

15. Snowshoeing

Explore the winter wonderland around you by going snowshoeing together. It's a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature. Plus, it requires less equipment than skiing or snowboarding. But as with any physical activity in winter, be sure to follow proper safety guidelines, stick together, and bring plenty of water and food. 

16. Karaoke night

Let loose and have a karaoke night at home or hit up a local bar. It's fun to show off your singing skills (or lack thereof) and create some hilarious memories.

17. Indoor spa day

Create your own spa day at home by giving each other massages, doing face masks, and relaxing in a warm bath or Jacuzzi. It's the perfect way to unwind and pamper yourselves during the winter months.

11 winter date ideas to do with your kids

Dates aren’t just for grownups. Here are some fun and family-friendly winter date ideas that you can do with your kids - or anyone!

1. Snowball fight

Take advantage of the snow and have a playful snowball fight with your kids. Just make sure everyone is bundled up and playing safely. Keep the snowballs light and fluffy (no ice!) and your tosses gentle.

2. DIY crafts

Get creative and do some winter-themed DIY crafts together. You can make ornaments, snowflakes, wreaths, or create a whole winter scene using cotton balls and construction paper.

3. Build a fort

Gather blankets and pillows and build a fort in your living room. Climb in and read books or tell stories. It's a cozy way to spend time with your kids on a cold winter day.

4. Cookie baking

Create memories in the kitchen by baking cookies or other treats together. Let your kids choose their favorite cookie cutters and decorate them with icing and sprinkles.

5. Snowman scavenger hunt

Hide different things to decorate a full snowman around your yard or inside your home. Have your kids and family search for them to build a complete snowman. You can even hide some small treats as a reward.

6. Winter nature walk

Bundle up and go for a stroll in the crisp winter air. Encourage your kids to look for different types of leaves, pinecones, or animal tracks to collect and bring home. The key here is weatherproof boots, coats, mittens, and hats to keep the chills at bay. 

7. Hot cocoa bar

For a cold-weather twist on the ice cream sundae bar, set up a hot cocoa bar with different toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, hot fudge, and sprinkles. Your kids will love customizing their own hot cocoa creations.

8. Indoor dance party

Turn up the music and have a dance party in your living room. Let your kids pick their favorite songs and show off their best moves. Bonus: It gets everyone moving and warmed up. 

9. Neighborhood cookie party 

Invite other families over and have a cookie party with your kids. Each family can bring their own batches of cookies to share and enjoy. Bonus points if they bring recipes to swap! 

10. Sledding

Take your little ones sledding at a nearby hill or park. It's a classic winter activity that gets everyone giggling and tired out for the evening. 

11. Movie night

Have a movie night at home and let your kids choose their favorite winter-themed movies to watch. You can even make it extra cozy by setting up blankets and pillows on the floor for a "movie theater" experience.

Don't let the winter weather keep you from enjoying quality time with your loved ones. Make these budget-friendly date ideas your own and make memories to last all season long and beyond.

Want more tips and tricks for saving money and having fun? Check out Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on all things finance, family, and fun.