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Married couple with children enjoy hot cocoa at their indoor picnic, a winter date idea

22 Winter Date Ideas for Couples and Families

January 6, 2025
Marriage Enrichment

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. But when a snow day, or two, is on the radar for your area, we want to help you make the most of the colder weather! Check out our list of 22 winter date ideas for couples and families. Don’t stay cooped up inside with nothing to do. Instead, enjoy one of these wintry activities before the temps start rising.

1. 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.” 

Married couple writing letters to

2. 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.  

3. 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. 

4. 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! 

Married going on a winter walk together, participating in one of our winter date ideas

5. 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. 

6. Look at Old Photo Albums 

See idea number five 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. 

7. Play in the Snow 

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

Older married couple playing in the snow, participating in one of our winter date ideas; they are sledding down a hill

8. 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 or curl up on the couch and catch up on the latest competitive games you may have missed. 

9. 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! 

10. 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. 

Young married couple planning a trip together, one of our winter date ideas

11. Build a Blanket Fort 

Channel your inner kid (or enlist their help) and turn your living room into a cozy retreat with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. It’s the perfect spot to snuggle up, chat, or even enjoy a hot drink together. 

12. Have a Winter Themed Movie Marathon 

If you don’t want to go outside, then enjoy the view from your window while watching your favorite wintry films. Choose a lineup of movies that feature picturesque snowy scenes like the one outside your own home on this snowy day. 

13. Build a Snowman (Or Snow Couple) 

If the snow’s perfect for packing, head outside to create your frosty doppelgangers. Add some personality with scarves, hats, and anything else you can find. 

Boy and girl snowmen aka a snow couple, building snowmen is one of our winter date ideas

14. Cook a Comfort Meal Together 

Throw the meal prep, diet, and other limitations out the window for today! Dive into the kitchen and whip up your favorite winter comfort food. Whether it’s a pot of chili, homemade mac and cheese, or a warm soup, cooking together can be just as fun as enjoying the final result. 

15. Try Our Random Conversation Starters 

We talk about them a lot…we have 260+ free printable conversations starters on our site. Spend time today engaging in thought-provoking or lighthearted conversation that you otherwise might not “find the time for.” You might be surprised by what you learn! 

16. Bake Snow Themed Treats 

From sugar cookies shaped like snowflakes to white-chocolate-dipped pretzels, baking something festive together is sweet in every sense of the word. 

 

Making white chocolate dipped pretzels one of our winter date ideas

17. 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. 

18. Set Up a DIY Hot Cocoa Station 

If you can’t drive on the roads to complete date idea number 17, then set up a mini hot chocolate bar in your home with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and peppermint sticks. Experiment with flavors like caramel, cinnamon, or a splash of coffee for a twist. 

19. 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.

Young married couple ice skating together, one of our winter date ideas

20. 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.  

21. 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.  

22. 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

Married couple going skiing together, one of our winter date ideas

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