Winter Wonders: How to Encourage Children (and ourselves) Outdoors in Winter

When winter arrives, it can be tempting to retreat indoors — cosy blankets, warm lights and familiar routines calling us inside. But winter has its own quiet magic, and stepping outdoors during the colder months can be incredibly nourishing for children and adults alike.

Nature doesn’t stop in winter — it simply changes pace. Crisp air, muddy puddles, bare branches and winter wildlife all offer rich opportunities for connection, exploration and wellbeing. With the right mindset (and the right kit!), winter adventures can become some of the most memorable moments of the year.

Below I have put together some our favourite winter outdoor activities, coupled with the all important "Winter Kit for Parents" to inspire you and to encourage your Children Outdoors this Winter...

Why Winter Time Outside Matters

Spending time outdoors in winter supports children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and resilience. Fresh air boosts mood, movement keeps bodies warm, and nature offers space to breathe when days feel shorter and busier.

For adults, getting outside can be just as grounding. A slow walk, a warm drink in hand and the sound of leaves underfoot can help us reset, reconnect and model positive habits for our children.

The key is not how long you’re outside — it’s how prepared and present you feel while you’re there.

Dressing for Success:

I've always loved the saying "There’s no such thing as bad weather — just bad clothing!". Although I recently had this discussion with my kids, where one of them asked what the best clothing was to wear in a hurricane and I must admit I was stumped there!

• Layers are your friend: base layers, jumpers and waterproofs (just be warned you may end up lugging them around like a packhorse once they are running around, but fear not, keep reading as I have a simple parent hack for that...)

• Wellies or sturdy waterproof boots

• Hats, gloves and scarves

• Spare clothes (especially socks! Maybe pack 4 pairs?!)

Knowing you’re prepared for mud, rain or cold instantly makes outdoor time feel more achievable and relaxed.

The Best Winter Kit for Parents

For us grown ups, having a simple “outdoor kit” ready to grab can make all the difference. Here's a selection of what I like to keep in my winter walking kit (or Mary Poppins bag) that helps to keep everyone comfortable, curious and content:

Warm Drinks

A warm drink can transform a chilly walk into a cosy adventure...

• Flask of hot chocolate

• Homemade Chai (our favourite choice)

• Herbal teas (peppermint, chamomile, cinnamon or ginger are lovely winter choices)

 Healthy Snacks

Easy, nourishing options that help keep energy levels up and spirits high:

• Oat bars or flapjacks

• Apple slices or satsumas

• Home popped popcorn (we like to add cinnamon to ours)

• Trail mix (nuts, seeds and dried fruit)

• Homemade banana muffins

Spare Clothes

Freedom to get muddy is much easier when you know you’ve got backups!

• Socks

• Gloves

• A spare jumper and trousers

• Our favourite choice - fluffy pyjamas to snuggle into if there's a car journey home involved

Exploration Tools

These tools give walks purpose and spark curiosity.

• Binoculars for bird watching

• Litter picker to care for the environment together

• Bird food for feeding local wildlife

• Mini spade and small Tupperware pots for getting full blown involved in that mud!

  
  

Creative Bits

Perfect for nature crafts, den building or creative play

• Scissors (child-safe)

• Natural string or twine

• Conker drills (like these awesome ones from Muddy Faces)

• Rope

• A sheet of tarpaulin (for dens and dry bottoms!)

• A wooden mallet (use small foraged sticks as pegs to make a den with your tarpaulin)

You may have noticed that's a pretty big list of things to carry! So let me break it down for you from my experience, these are the absolute essentials that I ALWAYS carry in my rucksack:

• Hot drink

• Snacks

• Scissors

• String

• Rope

• Litter picker

• Rubbish bags

• Mini first aid kit

My simple parent hack...

Get your kids to pack their own winter kit!

When kids pack their own bag it encourages independence and responsibility, whilst also giving them the opportunity to be creative and inventive about what to pack. Just make sure they leave space in their bag for when they start to strip off their layers!

For the children who already own the Nature Nurture Kit, you'll find there are multiple pockets and compartments for them to add their own selection of goodies to the mix.

Simple, fun Winter Outdoor Activities to Try

Honestly, you don’t need a plan — just a willingness to follow your children’s curiosity. although sometimes it is helpful to have a few ideas on hand, like these gentle, low-prep ideas that work beautifully in winter:

Mud Faces on Trees

Collect mud, leaves, stones and sticks to create expressive faces on tree trunks. A wonderful mix of creativity, sensory play and imagination. Don't forget to hug the tree whilst you're there!

Natural Boats

Using bark, leaves and twigs (with your packed string or twine) make small boats and float them down streams or puddles. Add string or grasses as sails.

Winter Bird Spotting

Use binoculars to see who’s visiting trees and hedgerows. Can you spot robins, sparrows or pigeons? Leave bird food behind as a thank you.

Seasonal Nature Hunts

Look for:

• Different shaped leaves

• Animal tracks in mud or frost

• Feathers, pinecones or acorns

• New shoots emerging from the ground

Print off a scavenger hunt sheet so they have visuals to look for. The Woodland Trust have a great selection of downloadable sheets here.

Nature Crafts

Decorate trees by hanging natural decorations

• Use natural string and foraged items like feathers, conkers and leaves.

• Collect various coloured fallen leaves and push them onto thin bare branches

  
  

  

  
  

• Make a forest mandala by collecting fallen leaves, seeds and twigs

• Make simple frames with twigs and create a scene using foraged items

  
  

Puddle Play

Jump, splash, observe ripples and reflections — puddles are endlessly fascinating and full of learning.

Gentle Encouragement for Grown-Ups

If winter feels heavy, slow down. Outdoor time doesn’t need to be long or energetic to be meaningful. Even ten minutes outside can shift a day.

Let go of perfection. Clothes will get muddy. Plans may change. That’s okay.

By choosing to step outside — even when it feels hard — you’re showing children that nature is for all seasons, not just sunny days.

Embracing Winter Together

Winter invites us to notice the small things: breath in the cold air, the crunch of frost, the quiet beauty of bare trees. With warmth, curiosity and a well-packed bag, the outdoors can become a place of comfort, connection and calm.

So now you have got some ideas on how to encourage children outdoors in winter - go wrap up, pour a warm drink and step outside - winter is waiting.