January Family Fun Ideas

Are you one of those families that like to go out and enjoy winter. Or do you tend to hibernate.

We’re one of those hibernating families. That’s why we often need a push to get out and do something fun.

That’s why these January family fun ideas are so awesome. They’ll push you to go out and have quality time together. Or, if you’re already active, you’ll find some new family adventure ideas.

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January Family Fun Ideas

Whether you’re looking for some last minute fun or want to schedule some family time in your calendar, these January family fun ideas will be perfect.

There’s no need to write them down! If you keep reading to the bottom, you’ll find a link for a simple one-page printable list.

Some will get you outside enjoying the snow and others are perfect for some cozy time inside. No matter the climate you live in, you’ll find some ideas that will the right fit for your family.

Make Snow Angels.

Do you know how to make snow angels? You just stand still with your legs a bit wide and your arms held straight out to the side. Fall straight back. Once you land, move your legs back and forth and your arms up and down. Stand up carefully and you’ll see an image of an angel with wings.

This is so much fun, but works best in new powdery snow. We tend to get plenty of it here in Minnesota!

While you’re outside making snow angels, stay outside for awhile and throw snowballs or build a snowman. Just have some simple fun family time out in the snow.

Go On a Winter Nature Walk.

You can go on a nature walk just about anywhere. Try a nature center, park, or even your own neighborhood. You can find signs of nature in so many places!

While on your winter nature walk, look for signs of life. Do you see any signs of animals (like footprints in the snow). Check out the plants. Which are evergreen and which are dormant for the winter?

Read one of these fun Winter Nature Books for Kids for inspiration.

Have fun exploring the natural world together!

Pick a Random Country From Around the Globe and Go to the Library to Find a Book or Two About It.

You can either close your eyes, spin, and point or you can just choose a country that fascinates you. Either way, the goal is to learn about a new country.

Hit up the kid’s nonfiction area for books to help you learn about another country. The Country ABCs series of books are a great option if your library has them.

You could also check out the adult nonfiction area for travel guides or cookbooks. Or, try searching for folktales from your chosen country in your library’s catalog.

Prepare a New Soup Recipe

Search in your cookbooks, one from the library, or just search on Pinterest for a new soup recipe to try. Cook it together with your family for a simple (and warming) family dinner.

Soup is such a great meal to cook with your kids. If your kids are old enough they can help chop vegetables. They can also stir, measure, pour ingredients, and be a taste tester.

Choose a simple recipe that your kids will love such as this Homemade Vegetable Alphabet Soup at Kitchen Counter Chronicles. Or they may love this Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup at My Kids Lick the Bowl.

Build Block Towers

Get out your wooden blocks and get building!

How tall can you build a tower before it collapses? Is there a way to make you tower stronger?

Or, you can add a little math with this fun counting blocks activity.

Tip: If you don’t already have a set of blocks, this Melissa and Doug set is a great choice. Or, invest in a beautiful heirloom set like these maple blocks from EverwoodFriends on Etsy.

Make a scrapbook of holiday pictures.

Print out some of your favorite photos from this past holiday season. Search your pictures from Christmas, Thanksgiving, or even Halloween.

Gather them together and make a small scrapbook of memories. Slip them into a simple photo album, like this personalized Christmas album from Personalized A2Z on Etsy.

Or, you can skip the printing the process and put together a photo book like you can get from Shutterfly.

Paint a picture using only white paint on colored paper.

Grab a selection of construction paper or colored card stock and a tube of white paint.

Everyone can choose a different color of paper and paint a picture using only white paint.

Will you make an abstract picture, a fun snowy scene, or something different?

It will be so much fun to see everyone’s creations!

Set a Few Goals for the New Year.

What do you hope to accomplish as a family? Are there any places you want to travel to or any fun activities you want to do.

Spend some time together and brainstorm ideas. Put a few ideas down on paper so you and your family can be on the same page.

Watch a Fun Winter Movie

Have a winter family movie night! Grab some comfy blankets, make mugs of hot chocolate, and settle in for a fun movie night.

Queue up a great winter movie, like Frozen or Ice Age. Anything that takes place in the winter or features a lot of snow would be perfect!

Or check out our list of recommended Winter Family Movies for a Cozy Movie Night.

Movie nights are our favorite family adventure!

Decorate a Window With Paper Snowflakes

Make traditional paper snowflakes. (Here’s a great tutorial from Kitchen Counter Chronicles.) Or try something different, like these fun Name Snowflakes from Childhood 101.

Spend the afternoon cutting and creating, then tape them up in a window (or two or three!). Now you can enjoy your creation all winter long!

January Family Fun Printable

Did you see some ideas you want to try? Or do you want to do them all?

No matter what, you can print out all the family adventures on this simple printable. Click the link below, print, and then hang it up to inspire your family to have a lot of winter family fun.

Print your January Family Adventures here.

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Do More Activities With Your Family

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.