Beat the Winter Blues With One of These Dates! 

For many, winter is a difficult season—it’s colder and drearier, and it can be hard to feel inspired to try new things or even leave the coziness of home. Whether you like colder weather or want ways to enjoy your least favorite season, check out our list of 15 winter date ideas for couples and families. Don’t stay cooped up inside. Instead, enjoy one of these wintry activities before the temps start rising. 

1. Go Ice-Skating 

Find your nearest ice-skating rink—indoor or outdoor—and give it a try! You may not be graceful, but that’s OK. Enjoy the afternoon skating…or falling and laughing…on the rink with your spouse and family. 

2. Go Skiing or Snowboarding 

If you live in the mountains, head to the slopes for a day of skiing or snowboarding. It’s never too late to learn something new, so take a lesson if you need. Whether you’re an adventurous skier or there for the views, don’t miss a chance to appreciate the winter landscape. 

3. Go on a Hot Cocoa Tasting Tour 

A steaming hot cup of cocoa…or three…should definitely warm you up. If you’re a hot chocolate connoisseur, go on an afternoon date to a couple of local coffee shops. Try each of their hot chocolate recipes to decide which is the best. 

4. Make Paper Snowflakes 

You’ve likely taken down your Christmas décor, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little pizazz to your home decorations during the winter. Have an arts and crafts day and create paper snowflakes to hang on your door or as garland from your mantle.  

5. Write “Open When” Letters 

Spend an afternoon writing “open when” letters. If you have big events coming up this year like a graduation or welcoming a baby, write a letter to “open when” the event takes place. Or write “open when” letters for times throughout the upcoming year that may not have major significance now but would be a nice surprise to read nonetheless, such as, “Open when it’s the first day of summer.” 

6. Plan an Indoor Pajama Picnic 

If the temps are still chilly where you’re at, plan an indoor pajama picnic. Get out the picnic blanket and basket and all the goods—food, drinks, desserts. Spread it out in front of the fireplace or on your living room floor, leave your pajamas on, and enjoy the coziest picnics of all picnics. 

7. Go on a Winter Walk 

It may not be your longest walk ever, but grab your scarves, hats, and gloves, and head out for a walk around the block. Warm up the walk by filling up your mugs with hot chocolate, apple cider, or coffee. When your drinks are gone, consider it time to head home!  

8. Make a Photo Album 

You have great intentions to print your photos for an album during the year, and then sports, school events, and outdoor activities take precedence. Not to worry…a cold winter day is the perfect excuse to stay in and do something you “never have time for,” like making a photo album of your favorite memories from the previous year. 

9. Look at Old Photo Albums 

See idea number eight above. After you’ve created a photo album dedicated to last year, dust off old photo albums and spend some time reminiscing about your children when they were little or even you and your spouse during your childhoods. 

10. Play in the Snow 

Become a kid again with your kids! Snowball fight. Check! Make snow angels. Check! Build a snowman. Check! Go sledding. Check! Bundle up and find ways to enjoy the cold and snow together. 

11. Plan a Trip 

Have you been talking about fun trips to take with one another? When you have a few hours of downtime, make a date out of planning your next trip. You may not iron out all the specific details, but dream about what you want to see, where you want to eat, and what activities you want to do in the city you’re traveling to this upcoming year. 

12. Take a Scenic Drive 

You can stay warm and cozy in your car while you admire beautiful wintry views. Make a playlist, pack snacks, and take a drive down roads filled with snowcapped trees and glistening icicles.  

13. Watch a Winter Sport 

If your family loves sports, check seeing a winter sport off your bucket list. Find a basketball or hockey game near you for a family fun day watching athletes compete. 

14. Go on a Bakery Tour 

Pick a few of your favorite bakeries around town and go on a bakery tour tasting different cookies, pastries, and yummy desserts from place to place.  

15. Plan Future Dates 

The beginning of the year is a great time to be intentional about planning dates on your calendar for sweet one-on-one time with your spouse. Make a date out of planning dates you’d like to do with each other this year!