If you think cold-weather activities tend to be expensive (ski trips to the Rockies or snowboarding locally), consider all the fun free things to do in winter. Whether you’re looking for a solo pastime or an outing with friends and family, there are plenty of ways to enjoy winter without spending a dime.
Here’s a look at no- or low-cost places to go and activities to try in the winter.
Key Points
• Enjoy free outdoor activities like sledding, snow tubing, and winter nature walks to stay active without spending much.
• Participate in community events such as winter festivals and holiday concerts for affordable entertainment.
• Engage in indoor activities like movie marathons, DIY crafts, and cooking to save money during cold weather.
• Opt for budget-friendly winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing instead of pricier options.
• Explore affordable date ideas such as visiting museums, cooking together, or playing board games indoors.
Outdoor Winter Activities That Won’t Break the Bank
If you’re trying not to dip into your checking account while having some fun this winter, you’ll have plenty of options. Consider these ideas:
Sledding and Snow Tubing
Sledding is a free fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. Just bundle up with waterproof, well-insulated outerwear, and find an appropriate slope. You will need a sled, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Not seeing one stashed in your basement? A simple plastic disc or oblong sled might cost around $10 to $20 dollars, while a more fancy toboggan or wooden sled might cost hundreds of dollars.
Many ski resorts and local operations offer tubing, which involves riding down a slope on a rubber tire-shaped inflatable. If you can find a snowy hillside and bring your own ride, you could have a free activity. Otherwise, sessions are usually two hours long, and the cost can often be $25 for children. Some resorts impose a height limit of around 42″ or a minimum age typically around five. The cost for adults or teenagers range from $30 to $50. Group rates are often accommodated.
Winter Nature Walks and Photography
Of all the cheap things to do in winter, the simplicity of a winter’s walk on fresh snow is hard to beat. It’s an opportunity to see the landscape in a special, seasonal way. Photographers can take stunning photos, particularly if you can find wildlife, like birds, against the snowy backdrop. That’s a low-cost hobby that’s ideal for winter days.
For those who live in small cities or major metropolitan areas, snowy streetscapes can be equally picture-worthy.
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Indoor Budget-Friendly Winter Fun
If getting outside has been nixed by a heavy storm or bitterly cold temperatures, try some indoor activities to entertain yourself while sticking to the budget you made.
DIY Crafts
Search online for winter crafts, and you’ll likely find no end of ideas that adults and children can try. Many options include holiday ideas to brighten the home or give as gifts. For instance, you may find ideas for holiday wreaths and frosted luminaria or handmade greeting cards.
If you’re more ambitious, set up an area in the home for refurbishing an old piece of furniture. An old painted chest of drawers can look amazing if stripped to show the beautiful wood underneath. Add varnish and new hardware, and you could have a gorgeous new piece to show off. (Or you might turn flipping furniture into a side hustle.)
Another idea for cheap winter activities: Perhaps it’s a good time to get a room painted or take on a bathroom remodel.
Movie Marathons
Need more free things to do in winter? Movie marathons are great when people are happy to be in from the cold. Take your pick from series like Star Wars, Marvel, Fast and Furious, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, James Bond, or you might stick with any favorites on Netflix. Retro movie nights (Hitchcock, anyone?) are also a fun way to spend time indoors. The hardest part of movie marathons can be simply deciding what to watch amid the plethora of options.
Movies are a way for friends and families to get off their phones and come together. Plus, popcorn is a cheap snack option.
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Free Destination Community Winter Events
Most people can find cheap places to go in the winter close to home, what with all the winter festivals, holiday concerts, art and craft shows, and New Year’s Eve celebrations happening. Or if you’re a bit more adventurous and willing to do a bit of frugal travel, check out these unique winter festivals in various parts of the United States, which are among those recommended by Vrbo:
Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
This event features a Polar Plunge, a jump into the icy waters of Detroit Lake, followed by a pancake breakfast, kids’ games, and activities. Don’t worry, you don’t have to plunge to enjoy the pancakes. There’s also an ice fishing derby, a motorcycle race on ice, a 5K fun run, a professional snowmobile race, and a curling competition.
Cedarburg Winter Festival, Cedarburg, Wisconsin, February
In Cedarburg, Wisconsin, there are various cooking contests and events. Notably, there’s a sled-pulling contest for dog-owners with a willing Alaskan Malamute. You can watch a grand parade, a costumed bed-race on ice, and an ice-carving contest.
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, New York, February
In terms of cheap places to go in the winter, Saranac Lake, New York, hosts an annual winter festival with an expert ice sculptor crafting a stunning ice castle. At night, colorful lights inside the castle create a breathtaking scene. The event also showcases a fun run, a downhill ski race, and a scavenger hunt over 10 days of festivities.
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Budget-Friendly Winter Sports and Fitness
There are plenty of ways to bundle up and get some exercise in winter, whether that means ice-skating at your local rink or learning how to snowboard. Some sports are more expensive than others. For example, if you love skiing, cross-country skiing tends to be more budget-friendly than downhill skiing. And snowshoeing or otherwise walking in the snow with the right footwear can cost way less than a lift ticket, too.
Gear is often the biggest concern and expense for sports and fitness pastimes, and winter is no exception. Here are some tips for winter sports and fitness clothing and equipment that won’t deplete your bank account.
• Don’t buy equipment until you know you are committed to the sport; rent instead. Ski and snowboarding equipment can be easily rented at the slope.
• Buy second-hand clothing and equipment, especially for children who can grow so quickly. Check out consignment shops, REI’s online used section, Poshmark, eBay, The Hoarding Marmot, and Geartrade.
• If you are currently job hunting, a seasonal gig at a resort or fitness center will give you access to the facilities for a budget price.
Affordable Winter Date Ideas
Winter can be a time to cozy up on date night. Here are a few ideas to try over the winter months that won’t blow your budgeting efforts.
Take a Hike
Winter is a wonderful time to get out and hike, particularly after a fresh snowfall. Just wear the right gear and maybe round it out with a hot toddy or hot chocolate.
Play a Board Game or Start a Jigsaw Puzzle
It may be old-school, but fun hours can be spent playing a board game or doing a jigsaw puzzle. Accompany the game with a bottle of wine and some tasty appetizers.
Visit a Bookshop
Stroll the aisles together, sharing old favorites and discovering new titles. Bonus: Many bookshops serve coffee and snacks as well as host author readings. You might also shop for gifts for friends and family while there.
Visit a Museum or Planetarium
Feed your soul with beauty and challenging imagery. Most big cities have free museums or specific dates on which you can view art with no admission fee required. Are you lucky enough to have a planetarium near you? For date night, visit and contemplate the universe together. (If you are starstruck by this outing, try an app like the free StarView Lite, which puts a planetarium in your pocket. All you need to do is point it at the sky, and it’ll identify the stars, satellites, and more above your head.)
Cook a Meal Together
It sounds simple, but one of the most tried and true winter date ideas is to simply cook together. Recipes abound online, and if you skip the pricier steak or seafood options, you can save a bundle. Maybe French onion soup and some crusty bread would be good, or try a pot of chili and enjoy the leftovers together later in the week.
Get Fit Indoors
Challenge yourselves physically together. Indoor activities can be a great option when days are cold and short. Rock climbing is a great example if you have an indoor wall near you. Otherwise, yoga, strength training, or dance classes can be a fun date idea.
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The Takeaway
Winter activities don’t have to cost a bundle. Skip the European ski trip, and instead find fun options close to home, like local ice skating, cooking together for date night, visiting a museum, or crafting side by side.
Stash the money you save in a high-yield bank account to help it grow faster.
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FAQ
How can I find free winter activities in my area?
Check your local parks department website for free and cheap winter activities. Search online for local media that advertises events. Your local library will likely also have information on local activities also. Another path: Check social media for ideas. There are often accounts sharing no-charge local events.
What are some cheap winter activities for kids?
If you live in an area where snow falls, it can provide a wonderful playground once kids are bundled up. They can build snowmen, go sledding, or go ice skating. Also, many town recreation centers, museums, and art schools offer affordable activities and lessons during winter break, knowing that kids can be out of school and in need of entertainment.
How can I budget better during the winter time?
Budgeting in the wintertime is no different than budgeting at any other time of year. Set a spending budget for your expenses in all categories, and stick to it. Be frugal at the holidays with gift giving. Perhaps the whole family will be willing to abide by a spending cap to help avoid credit card debt. And just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you need to entertain yourself with pricey movies, shows, and meals out. Cooking something new at home, streaming classic movies, and catching up on reading are all cheap ways to get through the cold season.
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