Introduction 

Winter is a time for chilly frolics, twinkling lights, and warm crackling fires. The season brings families together for cozy nights and fun-filled outdoor adventures. No matter if you prefer skiing or snuggling, winter offers endless opportunities to connect and make memories. The holidays inspire and inspire playful children, energize active teens, and even motivate busy adults to let loose.

Kids love building snowmen, drinking hot cocoa, and searching for Santa at local events. Adults look forward to holiday markets, gourmet treats, and indulgent nights at home curled up with a good book. Families pack their suitcases for snow or stay close to home and find the best of both worlds. It doesn't matter where you live, how much money you have, or how much time you have off work. Winter offers a wide range of fun activities and memorable excursions for everyone.

From outdoor adventures and indoor attractions to holiday-themed food, creative activities, and party ideas, this list will lead you through the Top 20 Things to Do in Winter. We will also showcase options from Jungle World Park in Leyland, Wacky World Inflatable Park in Preston and Wacky World Hire if you prefer to host inflatables at home or in a community hall.

Grab a cozy scarf, pour yourself a hot toddy, and let's dig into the very best of winter for kids, adults, and families!

Outdoor Winter Activities

1. Ice Skating and Winter Sports

Ice skating has an undeniably magical feel that's hard to match. Family-friendly ice rinks, frozen ponds (when safe), and community skating sessions are an excellent way to enjoy time with the kids. You can glide around or wobble together while sharing the excitement. It's also a great activity for all ages  from children who are just learning how to balance to teens looking to impress, and adults who want to relive their childhoods.

There are many winter sports that you can enjoy with children, such as snowball fights in the backyard or sledding down a gentle hill, both of which provide hours of low-cost, high-energy fun. 

Families can also check out places that offer beginner lessons in skiing and snowboarding for those who want to try something new.

2. Winter Walks and Nature Trails

Some of the most calming winter activities are free, and all ages can enjoy them. Families can take a winter walk in a local park or nature reserve to enjoy simple activities like looking at snow-dusted trees or searching for frost patterns in the leaves. Wintertime is also a great time to teach children how to take in the world around them.

Photography enthusiasts will enjoy the new challenge of snapping winter landscapes and critters that you normally wouldn't see in summer, like frozen ponds or ice-coated trees. Children can also search for "winter treasures" like pinecones or animal tracks in the snow.

3. Visit Winter Markets and Festivals

Winter markets are like stepping into a holiday card. Stalls are overflowing with goodies and gifts, while seasonal foods and drinks steam in the air. Festive music, laughter, and decorations make every market feel magical. The best part for families is the wide range of kid-friendly activities, from rides and bouncy castles to face painting and balloon artists.

Characters like Elsa from Frozen, Santa Claus, or mischievous elves are often there to pose for photos and give out hugs. Hiring mascots for events from a company like Wacky World Hire can increase the fun factor even more and make such events unforgettable for children.

4. Wildlife Spotting

Winter also means it's time to put on some boots and check out all the wildlife that you can see in your area. Birds migrate, deer wander the landscape, and foxes leave behind telltale paw prints in the snow. Families can explore local nature reserves or parks armed with binoculars and spot species that would normally be out of sight during the summer.

Wildlife-spotting is a winter activity that teaches kids patience and observation while also giving them a new appreciation for the world around them. Bundle up, bring along a flask of hot cocoa, and enjoy a day spent discovering nature's quieter side.

5. Festive Events

Community winter events are an opportunity for everyone to come together in celebration of the season. Events like tree-lighting ceremonies, parades, and holiday fairs are all fantastic ways to bring some sparkle to the longer, darker nights.

Such events are even more magical when children have a chance to meet friendly mascots from Wacky World Hire at parties. Characters like Santa's elves or friendly Santas often mingle with children and adults or can perform short shows to delight children. The right facepainting team can even create a similar wonder for your guests.

Indoor Family Activities

6. Indoor Play Centres

If the outdoor temperature is too cold, indoor play centres like Jungle World Park in Leyland are the best way to have a good time all winter long. The indoor and outdoor play centre for ages 0–12 in Leyland, features Lancashire's tallest indoor slide, an exclusive laser tag arena, Safari electric go-karts, and more. Jungle World even has a Toddler Zone where younger children are kept safe and entertained.

Parents can relax in the 5-star hygiene-rated café, enjoying freshly made pizzas, paninis, jacket potatoes and more. The quality coffee is strong, and you can keep an eye on your children at all times. There are different types of sessions that are age-appropriate for your children, including ASD-friendly sessions and special after-school packages with meals included.

Jungle World is a fantastic party venue with packages to suit every age group and interest. Parties start from "Jungle Monsters" parties for toddlers through to VIP exclusive private hire. Packages include a host/hostess, food, jungle games, karaoke, bubble machines, and loads of prizes. Jungle World is an indoor playground with go-karts and laser tag all under one roof, which makes it the ideal winter fun spot for families in Lancashire.

7. Indoor Inflatable Parks

Kids will be kids, and when they have too much energy, it's important to find ways to release it. The Wacky World Inflatable Park in Preston provides kids with everything they could want from inflatables. The attractions include:

• Wrecking Ball

• Rodeo Bull

• Unclimbable Ladder

• Meltdown challenge

• Bouncy Castles

• Base Jump and much more

Affordable sessions make it a great place for families, while parties and special events make for private entertainment. Kids will be entertained climbing, jumping, bouncing, and sliding on inflatables for hours, and they will stay warm while staying active at the same time.

8. Inflatable Fun at Home Parties

Winter birthdays and gatherings are often held indoors, and Wacky World Hire is your answer. Bring the inflatables right into your home, community centre, or church hall and transform the area into a winter playground.

Popular options for hire include:

• Small Bouncy Castle for Kids

• All-Age Bouncy Castle

• Basketball Hoopla & Base Jump

• Velcro Fly Wall & Unclimbable Ladder

• Rock’n’Roll Gladiator Duel

• Meltdown Inflatable

• Inflatable Climbing Wall

• Hungry Hippos

These bouncy fun inflatables will keep kids occupied and occupied so that adults can relax and enjoy themselves or celebrate.

9. Mascot Entertainers for Winter Parties

Indoor parties will be extra special with mascots mingling with your guests or offering photo opportunities. Picture how delighted children will be when Frozen's Elsa or Spiderman, or the Mario Brothers appear at the door. Kids will feel like they are in a real-life fairy tale.

To make your indoor parties and gatherings that extra bit magical, mascots from Wacky World Hire are a fantastic addition. They will turn an ordinary party into something that your kids will remember forever.

Seasonal Food and Drink

10. Warm Winter Treats

Of course, winter is the time to indulge in some seriously warm food and drinks. Stock up on mugs of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, mugs of mulled cider, or fresh roasted chestnuts.

11. Family Cooking Days and Indoor Picnics

Winter weekends are perfect for family cooking days where everyone can participate. Bake gingerbread houses, festive pies, or family-sized casseroles together, then make your own indoor picnic in a den of fairy lights and blankets.

12. Mascots at Holiday Parties

Don't forget, mascots can add extra fun even to food-focused family gatherings. Who would not love to have Santa at their indoor picnic or to have Elsa hand out hot chocolate to everyone?

Creative Winter Activities

13. DIY Crafts

Crafting is a great activity to do on a cold winter's evening. Families can make snowflake decorations, holiday ornaments, or gingerbread houses. It's a great hands-on activity for children and an excellent opportunity for adults to relax and bond with their children through creative play.

14. Inflatable Play Zones During Crafts

Set up some inflatables in the other room or in a corner of the living room to keep kids entertained while parents do crafts. It's a perfect way to have creativity and active play all under one roof.

Adventure and Indoor Challenges

15. Indoor Climbing, Trampolines, and More

Winter doesn't mean an end to adventure and challenges, either. Indoor climbing centres, trampoline parks, and obstacle gyms are great places to let off steam.

They are excellent for weekends and school holidays when the whole family has more free time and the risk of cabin fever is real. Check out what your local town or city has to offer before booking online, and let kids and adults alike jump, climb, and swing their way to releasing energy.

16. Wacky World Hire's Inflatable Challenges

Kids and adults will love the additional challenge of some inflatables, which are more difficult to master. Options from Wacky World Hire, like the Climbing Wall, Velcro Fly Wall, or Meltdown, are ideal for offering a twist on challenges. They are also great fun for older kids and adults, so that they can turn your winter get-together into a private adventure park.

Cozy and Relaxing Winter Activities

17. Movie Marathons, Reading, and Storytelling

Winter is also the time to enjoy quieter activities, like watching holiday movies, reading or building a family storytelling evening where everyone takes a turn.

18. Themed Storytimes with Mascots

Add a little extra magic with a mascot like Elsa or Santa's Elf. They can join in on storytime, act out characters with the kids, or provide photo opportunities.

Holiday-Themed Events

19. Christmas Tree Decoration, Carol Singing, and New Year Parties

Family events around Christmas and New Year's Eve are some of the most fun holiday traditions. Decorate the Christmas tree, sing carols, or plan a New Year's Eve bash at home with family and friends.

20. Mascots for Holiday Fun

Get holiday events that extra bit magical with mascots. Santa, Frozen's Elsa, or the mischievous Christmas Elves all know how to turn a good time into an event that you won't forget.

Also read: - Things to do in autumn 

Conclusion and Winter Activity Tips

With 20 activities on this list, it's easy to see how winter can become jam-packed with outdoor adventures, indoor attractions, and holiday-themed fun. Whether you are out and about having fun in parks and visiting family, or you are staying close to home enjoying some cozy activities, there are ideas for everyone on this list.

If you are going to make the most of winter, it's best to plan. Indoor venues like Jungle World Park and the Wacky World Inflatable Park book up fast, so get there in advance. Mascots or inflatable hire also book up fast, especially for holiday events.

Planning is half the battle, so as the days get colder and shorter, prepare to transform winter into warm memories that your children will love.