Winter holidays are often not considered as important as summer holidays. When it comes to family holidays, we often plan to go away in the summer, rather than during the winter. However, a winter holiday can make an interesting change, and it gives you the opportunity to do things you might not be able to do during the rest of the year. If you’re looking for snow, there are lots of great destinations that offer a huge range of activities. Or you could seek out summer in the southern hemisphere if you feel like it.
Family holidays during the winter give you the chance to experience new things. Plenty of holidays and activities are perfect for all ages, so you can find a holiday everyone will love.
Eleven Great Ideas for Family Fun on a Winter Holiday
1.Seek Out Father Christmas
If you have children who are still young enough to buy into Santa and the magic of Christmas, it can be a great basis for a winter holiday. Before or during Christmas, you can seek out one of the places that offer the opportunity to meet the man himself. That usually means heading to Lapland if you’re going abroad, a region in the north of Europe.
More specifically, Lapland covers Finland, Sweden, Norway, and some parts of Russia. However, experiences with Father Christmas are most often found in Finland, where you can find lots of Santa-related activities.
2.Skiing or Snowboarding
It’s no surprise that going skiing or snowboarding are such popular options for family holidays during the winter. They’re fun, active, and just about anyone can have a go. You can also find that ski holidays are often much more affordable than you might think.
Despite being thought of as the height of middle-class holidays, it can actually be pretty easy to get a good deal at the right resort. There are lessons for people of all ages, different types of accommodation, and lots of other things to do when you’re not skiing. And the ski season lasts for months, so there are plenty of opportunities to go.
3.Try Dog Sledding for Family Fun on a Winter Holiday
If you’re looking for a unique way to experience a winter holiday as a family, you might want to consider dog sledding. It’s an exciting way to try out something new, especially if you love dogs.
As long as your kids aren’t too young, plenty of trips are suitable for the whole family. You can also choose between short half-day or full-day tours or multi-day holidays, which might be based in one place or offer different accommodation each night. It can be a little on the pricier side, but it’s worth it for an experience you might only get once.
4.Cosy Cabin Holidays
Sometimes snow is much more enjoyable when you’re experiencing it from inside. If you’re considering a winter holiday but don’t want to be outdoors all the time, you might focus on your accommodation first. Booking a cosy cabin is a great way to enjoy the winter atmosphere while still staying warm.
It’s also a way to open yourself up to lots of different destinations. Your cosy cabin could be in Sweden or one of the other Nordic countries, or perhaps in France, Estonia, Canada, or the UK. There are many different options for relaxing places to stay and your own working fireplace.
5.Look for the Northern Lights
When winter arrives, it’s the best time to see the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis. This spectacular light show can occasionally be seen further south, such as in some parts of the UK, but your best bet to see it is to head north.
Countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Canada are the best places to go looking for the Northern Lights. You have a huge choice of tour companies to choose from, and many of them will guarantee additional trips if you’re not successful in seeing the aurora on your first trip.
6.Sledging, Snowmobiling, and More Snow Fun
Snowboarding and skiing aren’t for everyone, but there are other snow activities that might take your fancy. Sledging and snowmobiling are just two other possibilities that you might consider if you want to have fun in the snow.
Sledging can be great family fun, with sledges (or toboggans) shared between adults and children. Snowmobiling can be suitable for all but the smallest of children too, as long as everyone is wearing a helmet and other protective gear. You can try out a localised experience, or it’s also a good way to explore and go on a longer tour.
7.Ice Fishing
Fishing might sound boring to some, but those in the know understand that it’s anything but. There are all kinds of fishing that you can try, and winter doesn’t have to stop you. In fact, it can present an opportunity to try out something a little different.
Ice fishing is a great challenge, whether you’re new to fishing or you’re an experienced angler who wants to try something new. It can be a really exciting experience for families too, with lots of anticipation as you see if you can catch something. Lapland is an excellent place for ice fishing, but there are other destinations to consider too.
8.Winter Wildlife Safaris
Families that love nature and wildlife will be happy to know that winter is a fantastic time for getting outdoors. You might think of spring and summer as the best times for spotting wildlife, but you can see a lot of interesting specimens in the winter too.
There are all kinds of animals that you could potentially spot in the winter, from different types of birds to predators such as foxes, wolves, and even polar bears. You could go looking for moose or reindeer, or see if you can spot some beaver, otters, or other water-dwelling animals.
9.Winter Walking
Those that love a walk don’t have to be stopped by colder temperatures. A winter walk or even a longer hike can be an amazing way to spend your holiday. For many walks in the winter, all you need is a good pair of waterproof hiking boots.
But you also have the option to consider activities such as snowshoeing or perhaps glacier hikes, which might require a pair of crampons for icy surfaces. You could choose just about any destination for a winter walking holiday, whether you want to stay close to home or explore further afield.
10.Christmas Markets and City Tours
Not everyone wants to spend their family holiday being as active as possible. Some prefer their home comforts or the safety of a comfortable hotel. If your family is more accustomed to city life, a Christmas market holiday or a city break could be for you.
There are some amazing Christmas markets to visit, and they can have lots of fun experiences available too. Germany is often the top choice for amazing markets, but you can also find some amazing options in Poland, Hungary, France, Austria, Romania, and the Netherlands.
11.Head Somewhere Hot for Family Fun on a Winter Holiday
Cold winter holidays might not be for you. When your family prefers to just hunker down and wait for winter to be over, you could consider seeking out a warmer destination instead. If you’re prepared to head south for the winter, there are much warmer destinations that might take your fancy.
A trip to Australia, South Africa, the Maldives or Argentina could be the best winter holiday for you. But you can even seek out places where the weather is mild, such as Florida or Spain.
Final words on Great Ideas for Family Fun on a Winter Holiday
Winter holidays can be a lot of fun for your family, with an amazing choice of destinations and activities to choose from.
I have just booked my Winter holiday for all the family. Can you guess where we’re heading? (hint – it’s a sunny destination and not in Europe).
