1. Winter Hiking Adventures
Many county and state parks and nature trails remain open during winter months. If you have one within a reasonable driving distance, this could even be your opportunity to visit a national park. The best part? Lots of people don’t realize these spaces are open, so it’s the perfect opportunity to explore without the big crowds. Take in picture-perfect, snow-covered landscapes while reaping the benefits of staying active.
Be sure to dress warmly and bring plenty of snacks and water. It’s easy to overlook hydration in the cold months, but it’s just as important as it is during the summer. Depending on the length of your adventure, you may also want to pack some extra socks and clothing, that way you’ve got dry clothes to change into later.
Before visiting one of these public spaces, visit their website to make sure you’re aware of any rules or entry fees.
2. Winter Photography Walk
Whether you’re visiting a state or national park or letting your pup stretch their legs on a walk through the neighborhood, you have the opportunity to capture winter’s beauty and scratch that creative itch with photography. See a beautiful snow-capped hill or a family of deer in the forest? Make yourself a keepsake.
Even if you don’t have a state-of-the-art digital camera, most contemporary smartphones are equipped with camera technology that’s more than capable of getting the job done—just be sure to check your settings, use natural light as much as possible, and have a great time! Many smartphones have outstanding portrait and landscape photo settings that are easy to navigate.
Make a photo gallery and share it on social media or print your photos to piece together a scrapbook you can keep on a bookshelf. Scrapbooks can be very inexpensive, especially when shopping for photo printing at sales prices around the holidays.
3. Sledding at Local Hills
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy sledding, but you will need a sled. If you don’t already have one, second-hand shops and online marketplaces are sure to have some bargain options to keep costs down. Just be sure to pick a sled that has working brakes and can be steered.
If you are new to sledding or haven’t done it in a long time, start easy. You don’t want to zip down the biggest hill in town on your first outing. Take your time, enjoy the social aspects of the activity and then, if you get more serious, you can add tougher hills and obstacles later.
Follow these safety tips:
- Wear a winter sports helmet
- Dress warm, including hat, gloves, snow pants, snow boots, and winter coat. If you wear a scarf, tuck it inside your coat so it won’t get caught in the sled.
- Avoid hills that end in a street, parking lot, or adjacent to a body of water
- Avoid sledding after dark unless you’re in a well-lit area
4. DIY Snowman Building Contest
If you’re into team-building contests and are competitive, this could be the activity for you. All you need is some fresh snow and a few accessories. Get creative and build a snowman yourself or as part of a team against other groups.
Possible accessories to include in your snowman build include:
- Top hat
- Scarf
- Pipe
- Carrot
- Tree branches
- Buttons
- Shovel
- Broom
If you’re missing any of the above, there are easy substitutions you can make and workarounds. For example, your snowman could be eating a candy bar instead of smoking a pipe. Or your snowman could have tree branches for hair instead of wearing a top hat. The only limits here are your own creativity.
5. At-Home Hot Chocolate Tasting
While getting outdoors is always welcome, it’s nice to have some indoor options that can be done at any point, regardless of the weather outside. Enter hot cocoa, but with a fun twist.
Hot chocolate is the great equalizer among hot and tasty winter beverages. It’s inexpensive, especially if you buy your cocoa in bulk, and unless chocolate isn’t your thing, it’s sure to bring delight. You can set up a tasting bar with different flavors and toppings that family, friends, and loved ones can get excited about. And if you really want to go all out, you can pair winter-themed snacks with your cocoa choices.
6. Do-It-Yourself Winter Crafting
Another indoor activity, DIY crafting can be a lot of fun because it’s hands-on and affordable. From building LEGO® cityscapes to knitting or painting watercolors, winter is the perfect opportunity to pursue your crafting passion. Done solo or part of a group activity, crafting can be largely dependent on items you already have available to you.
If you want to try something new, imagine what you can do with some old newspapers, magazines, or construction paper. If you’re new to crafts and aren’t sure where to start, consider fun holiday decorations, like making snowflakes or pinecones.
Concerned about your budget for this or any of the other activities listed? Learn how to avoid overspending during the holidays.
7. Cozy Movie Night Indoors
Who doesn’t like a night at the movies, especially when it can be done from the comfort of your home without the expensive ticket, concession prices ,or potential distractions? One of the top cheap winter activities, home movie nights are perfect no matter the weather or your age.
Whether your TV is 40 inches or 85 inches, you can create a cozy mini-theater experience at home with some microwave popcorn, hot beverages such as cocoa or coffee, and blankets to curl into. Pull out your old DVD collection (if you still have it) or launch your favorite streaming app to find family favorites and classic winter-themed films. Most streaming apps feature curated collections that lean into holidays and seasonality, making it easy to find the right film to fit your mood.
The Best of Winter—Without Breaking the Bank
Sometimes the inexpensive or free winter activities are the best ones. Winter fun doesn’t require a large bank account or even 24/7 access to snow. The fun comes from leaning into activities that can be completed solo or as part of a group, stretching those creative muscles, and staying active to help spark joy from everyday living.
DCU, a not-for-profit credit union, is built on the foundation of community and people helping people. We encourage you to try some or all of the activities above, and share your experiences with friends and loved ones to generate fresh ideas.
Visit our Financial Education Center or consider applying to become a valued DCU member to enjoy all our benefits.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as legal, financial, investment or tax advice or indicate that a specific DCU product or service is right for you. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a financial professional.
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