This winter, we encourage you to slow down, hug your little ones tight and enjoy all the special moments of the winter season.
Here are 10 free, simple activities you can do with your kiddo(s) as the lights start to twinkle a little brighter and the weather turns a little bit more blustery.
STAY HOME:
1/ Read winter-themed books together. May we suggest a few cozy favorites:
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Snow by Dr. Seuss
The Mitten by Jessica Southwick
HiKu! by Nicole Snitselaar and Coralie Saudo
The Snow Dancer by Addie Boswell
2/ Make DIY handprint ornaments using salt dough that is easy to make with ingredients you likely already have at home.
3/ Color or draw winter-themed pictures and send them in the mail to family and friends. This is a simple way to spread warmth, cheer, and connection.
4/ Create an indoor obstacle course using pillows, chairs, masking tape, toys, and anything else you have around the house to make it extra fun! You can add simple “missions” like:
• Climb the mountain of pillows
• Crawl under tape stretched between two chairs
• Walk the “balance beam” made from tape on the floor
• Toss a toy into the laundry basket
5/ Take a cozy cuddle break and watch a kid-appropriate, winter-themed show while you bake favorite treats together, like these easy, fun and kid-friendly English muffin pizzas. Here are a few short episodes on YouTube we suggest:
6/ Make a snowman and snow angels together.
GO OUT:
7/ Explore the incredible programs put on by our Cleveland Metroparks. Here are a few fun, free ideas:
Hand-Feed Chickadees at the Brecksville Reservation, a beloved winter tradition that’s been around since the 1940s!
Winter in the Woods at the Watershed Stewardship Center is for ages 3–6 with an adult. Enjoy a nature walk while learning how plants and animals adapt in winter, followed by hot cocoa and a cozy craft.
Winter-Break Family Fun Day at the CanalWay Center features activities, crafts, a guided hike, animal education, a movie, and more.
8/ Check out free light displays around your neighborhood, community, and downtown. Cleveland Moms has some great suggestions to help you find the brightest spots!
9/ When conditions are right, head out for a family sledding adventure. This article from Northeast Ohio Family Fun highlights some favorite local sledding hills.
10/ Check out the Beck Center’s Super Saturday events! The next one is on January 3, 2026. Kiddos ages 2–7 and their parents can explore music, dance, theater, and visual arts through this free, hands-on experience. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved at beckcenter.org or by calling 216-521-2540.
Time with family matters all year long, and we hope you create extra special memories together this winter! We’ve put together a list of fun places to visit year-round, thanks to recommendations from our amazing social media community of parents in Cuyahoga County, Cuyahoga Parents Connect. Be sure to check it out and join our Facebook Group and Instagram communities for even more ideas and connection!
Heather Sakai has been a member of the Bright Beginnings team since early 2022, serving as the Social Media and Family Engagement Coordinator. She holds a Master of Science in Social Service Administration and a Master of Arts in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University. Heather brings experience in social work and mood disorders research, marketing and social media, as well as dance instruction for children and adults in both the United States and abroad. Passionate about connecting people through social media, Heather strives to make it a safe space to ask questions, be vulnerable, and share successes and struggles. She is also the administrator of Cuyahoga Parents Connect and warmly invites you to join if you are a parent or caregiver of a child from birth to kindergarten, or if you are expecting a child.