Winter days at home can feel somewhat confining. But that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring! To alleviate boredom and stay creative while giving friends something inexpensive to gift themselves with, try organizing your space and hosting a craft night where you all work on projects together – this could include making scrapbooks, jewelry, or something completely different! Even better yet, host a DIY movie night where, each week, you select and watch one together!
In this blog post, we’ll explore some exciting activities to do in winter to spend quality time with your friends. From the benefits of axe throwing to other fun indoor winter activities, there’s something here for everyone.
1. Cozy Game Nights
Gaming industry veterans may have become used to fast-paced action and high-stakes competition, but times have changed. Now, gamers are opting for cozy gaming – an approach to gameplay that prioritizes relaxation, self-care, and comfort through themes like nature exploration, open-ended gameplay, and soothing music.
Cozy games have witnessed a surge in popularity, offering stress-free and accessible experiences for gamers. Indie titles like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley are at the forefront of this trend. Additionally, there’s a variety of garden sims, zen meditation simulators, light home decoration or moving house puzzles, as well as intriguing horror games such as Spirit Grove and Gris to choose from.
Whether you’re looking to unwind with friends or face some brain-teasing challenges, cozy games have something for everyone. Gather your friends for a relaxing gaming session or challenge them with games like Exploding Kittens, Codenames, or Love Letter. To add an extra element of relaxation, consider hosting a closet cleaning party, inviting friends to join you in decluttering and organizing the digital world.
2. Cooking Challenges
Winter is the ideal season to try new recipes together, compete in baking challenges with friends, or organize an informal cake/pie party. Teens have plenty of opportunities here to develop their cooking skills and become more confident cooks!
You can simply challenge your friends to a cooking competition where you choose a theme, and everyone can prepare their signature winter dish. Then, just sit together and enjoy the feast!
3. DIY Craft Nights
Craft nights offer an engaging experience for you and your friends to come together and create unique art projects together. Depending on how many guests are expected, ask everyone to bring their own supplies in order to reduce costs and work on something familiar without starting from scratch. It’s also beneficial to provide an array of craft projects so there’s something suitable for all skill levels.
For beginners seeking a delightful craft, Fun at Home with Kids offers kits to create charming watercolor snowmen, perfect for adorning your walls. On the other hand, experienced crafters might enjoy the creative challenge of crafting moss art frames with Naturely Box, resulting in exquisite green wall décor.
Crafting can be quite engaging, so it’s important to stay refreshed. Have water and non-alcoholic cocktails readily available. Consider designating someone as a crafting advisor to provide helpful tips, ensuring a relaxed and enjoyable crafting experience. This creates a wonderful opportunity for bonding and discovering new crafting tricks with your friends.
4. Movie Marathons
Indulging in a movie marathon at home is a delightful pastime and a great way to bond with friends. If your group is up for it, a movie marathon can be a fantastic winter activity!
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus offer a plethora of movie marathons to choose from. If you’re a fan of Pixar animation and Disney princess films, consider the Cars trilogy with a combined runtime of 5 hours and 25 minutes for an enjoyable marathon. Alternatively, Disney princess movies can also be a perfect choice for a cozy girls’ night in. Get the popcorn ready and enjoy the cinematic adventure!
Finally, for something a bit darker to watch, there’s also Keanu Reeves’ Matrix trilogy as an option that spans all three films. If you and your friends enjoy action movies, consider hosting a James Bond or Alien marathon! Both films will get your adrenaline going!
5. Visit a Trampoline Park
Whether you’re an experienced gymnast or someone eager to try trampoline parks for the first time, these parks offer a fun opportunity for everyone. Trampoline parks are an exciting place to try new moves and have a great time with friends. Additionally, most trampoline parks have separate areas dedicated to little ones, ensuring a safe and enjoyable jumping experience without any worries about injuries. It’s a place where everyone can have an absolute blast!
Trampoline parks can be an entertaining way to spend an afternoon or evening with your friends. Jumping on trampolines brings joy while providing a great workout at the same time! Visit a trampoline park and encourage healthy competition amongst your group of friends while teaching kids and adults alike valuable life lessons through friendly competition.
6. Escape Room Adventures
Escape rooms may no longer be the rage they once were, but they remain an entertaining way to exercise your brainpower and develop teamwork skills. From busting out of jail to uncovering art theft cases – escape rooms put your abilities under the spotlight!
Explore the adventure-filled world of escape rooms at Hoodwinked Escape Room in New York City, where you can enjoy both virtual and in-person experiences with your group of up to eight people. Embark on thrilling escape adventures, from spy missions to Harlem treasure hunts, and even a South Park-themed room. They also offer birthday party packages for a memorable celebration.
For a unique virtual escape experience, head to Beat the Bomb’s immersive game lounge in Brooklyn. Put on hazmat suits and work together to disarm a giant paint bomb by cracking codes within 60 minutes. With themed rooms like prison break and an enchanted forest, it’s an exhilarating challenge you won’t want to miss!
7. Winter Spa Day
Indulge in a well-deserved spa day, immersing yourselves in massages, facials, and pure relaxation for the ultimate winter self-care hangout. Elevate your at-home experience with winter bath soaks, creating a mini spa in your bathroom. Enhance the ambiance with luxurious amenities like facial steamers, rose petals, and fragrant candles, making it a truly rejuvenating and pampering escape. Enjoy the tranquility and rejuvenation that a spa day at home can provide!
8. Indoor Axe Throwing
Axe throwing in Denver is an engaging activity and a great way to stay active, bond with friends, and strengthen arms and shoulders at the same time! It is a safe activity suitable for people of all fitness levels that can be enjoyed without prior experience or knowledge.
Axe throwing at a hatchet throwing bar can not only help your physical well-being, but it’s also an excellent stress-relief activity. Many axe throwers describe the feeling of unleashing pent-up aggression and anxiety through throwing an object as similar to taking a long run.
Are you searching for an exciting winter activity with friends that is both unique and thrilling? Consider indoor axe throwing at Axe Whooping! Reservations ensure your group will have its own lanes while an experienced coach instructs on safe throwing techniques before keeping score and hosting tournaments for you all to participate in.
Final Thoughts
Are you searching for an engaging winter activity that’s both relaxing and energizing? Why not try snow tubing? Just as fun as skiing, snow tubing offers more accessibility. Simply rent out some inflatable tubes from a ski hill nearby for some exciting winter races!
Winter offers students a chance to explore their outdoor environments. From snowboarding and skiing, taking part in snow-based activities is an enjoyable way to build community while getting some fresh air. Plus, the best winter activities help students practice social skills such as asking for and accepting invitations!
Dedicating your time to volunteer at a non-profit organization can bring immense fulfillment and provide a break from daily routines. Volunteering offers both mental and physical engagement, giving you a purposeful activity to anticipate. It’s a fantastic way to contribute to a cause you care about while experiencing the rewards of making a positive impact on others’ lives.
Staying close during the colder months is made even more enjoyable by exploring indoor winter activities together. With these fun things to do in winter, you can make the most of the season by embracing your creative side and enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of good company.
