Top January Family Activities: Entertained on a Budget

January feels like a long month. The holiday season is over and the new year is just beginning. You might be wondering how to keep the family entertained during this cold winter month. 

January is actually the perfect time to create beautiful memories with your kids while you discover fun things that will have everyone excited to bundle up and face the cold.

Whether you’re dealing with cold weather, colder temperatures, or just looking for a great way to beat cabin fever, I’ve compiled activities that work for all family members. I hope you find something your family will love here (no matter their age or interests).

Embrace the Winter Season Outdoors

Enjoy the Slopes for Winter Sports

If your family loves outdoor activities, you know the winter months are your time to shine. 

Snow tubing is so fun and doesn’t require special skills. For the adults, you will feel like a kid again, and for the kids, it’s an activity that creates amazing memories. Plus, you can do this right on your own driveway (if you have a slope). If you don’t, check around because some schools or local parks usually allow snow tubes when it snows. You can find a ton of snow tubes available on Amazon.

If that’s not available, many ski resorts offer special events during January, and some even host nighttime glow tubing where the slope is lit up, making it a magical experience.

Don’t want to tube? Try ice skating. It’s a classic winter activity. Whether you visit outdoor ice rinks or indoor facilities, the entire family will enjoy the experience. Check around for free admission days or discounted rates during the month of January. 

Explore Nature in Its Winter Theme

Don’t let cold weather keep you inside. 

Visit your local nature center to experience the magic of the winter season. Check to see if they offer winter activities like guided snow hikes, animal tracking workshops, or hands-on experiences in winter ecology.

Your kids will love spotting animals in their natural habitat. You can observe wildlife behavior in a different season.

If your local nature center doesn’t offer anything, don’t let that stop you. Take a family walk through a local park or nature preserve. Surround yourself in the natural beauty of winter with its snow-covered trees and frozen streams. This is a unique opportunity for gorgeous family photos or simply some quality family time.

Bundle up the family, put some hot chocolate in a thermos, and make it an outdoor adventure the kids will remember forever. 

Capture Nature’s Beauty

The winter snow can be so beautiful. Why not celebrate it with your family? While on a hike with kids at the nature preserve, bring along your camera or phone. You can challenge the kids to find the most beautiful winter scene to capture, combining outdoor adventure with a little creativity. 

Try a Bike Tour

I’m as surprised as you are. If you haven’t heard, fat-tire biking on snowy trails is an activity that people love. If your family loves the outdoors, why not bundle up and try this new way to enjoy the snow?

Try Snow Play and Winter Fun for Free

If you’re not interested in spending money, enjoy the time outside by showing your kids what you did as a child. Here are a few suggestions:

• You can build a snow fort in your yard or a local park. It’s free to do and can provide hours of entertainment and bonding. 
• Create a snowman or make it a snowman-building competition (my kids loved this kit to make it classic looking).
• Teach your kids all about how to make a snow angel.

Plan Indoor Activities the Family Will Love

Are you like me and would rather stay indoors? Here are a few ideas to inspire some activity this January.

Check out Local Museums and Education Experiences

When you’re not feeling the cold temperatures and would rather spend family time inside but need to leave the house (hello, cabin fever is a real thing), think about all of the things your city has to offer.

Local museums and planetariums are a great way to get everyone out of the house. Check to see if yours has any special performance events or new exhibits for the family. This is a great opportunity to have the kids (and you) learn something new.

Go to an Indoor Sports Place

From play zones to trampoline parks, there are a plethora of places you can take kids to burn off energy. If you’re looking for something a little more family-centric, I love turning back to what our generation did and taking the kids bowling or to the movies during the winter. 

Don’t forget to check out any local coupon magazines or Groupon to see if they have any coupons or discount codes to offer.

{Don’t forget to plan a date night at home in January. Find some ideas here: 7 Inexpensive At Home Date Night Activities You’ll Love}

Turn to the Community and Local Events for a Plan

Winter Festivals and Celebrations

Just because the holiday season is over doesn’t mean all of the fun has to be. Check on your town’s website or a local Facebook page to discover winter events.

Winter festivals often have live music, food trucks, and still offer some holiday cheer that extends beyond December. Check out and support local restaurants and vendors at these events. 

Some festivals offer unique experiences like live performances and activities for the entire family. Many are free admission or very affordable, making them a perfect option for a family outing.

Check out a Show

January is the perfect time to check out a play or music performance at your local theaters. Make it a day where you see a play and go to lunch! You are supporting your local arts program while being entertained by local talent. 

Beat the Winter Blues by Getting Creative

Start a New Family Tradition

New year, new you doesn’t only have apply to resolutions. Let it be the motto of family time. Create a new family tradition that will carry through the year. 

Establish a monthly game night, Sunday family dinner (or breakfast) where you go all out, or a promise to find a new outdoor activity each month. It doesn’t have to be a weekly commitment, and is a great way to strengthen family bonds.

Are your kids younger?

Plan for dance parties with your kids, have a board game tournament, or hop on Pinterest for a new craft idea (like creating paper snowflakes to decorate windows). You can even make a hot chocolate bar a staple in your home that your kids will look forward to.  

Plan Your Summer

The holiday craziness is done, and January is the perfect time to plan for the warmer months. Use this time to get your summer vacation set up. 

Sit down with the family and brainstorm any road trips or vacations you want to do. Put it on a calendar and make the reservations if you can. You can also create a countdown to build the excitement for everyone. 

Find the Free Things to Do in Your Town

When my kids were younger, we loved going to the library because they always offered fun activities for the kids which included story time and craft sessions. Research what your town has available because you might be surprised by how many ideas are available without spending money.

Get Old School With Quality At-home Time

Cook and Bake Together

Since the kitchen is the most important spot in the house when it comes to family bonding, plan to spend time there. Accept the chaos of baking and cooking with kids, and get the family together to bake cookies or a cake. 

Spend time teaching your kids a family recipe and share stories of when you were a kid eating these foods. Or, find an interesting recipe that everyone wants to try and make it together. Maybe you’ll create a new family recipe together.

Aside from being a fantastic way for your family to come together and connect, it’s also a great opportunity to teach your children life skills in a fun way. 

Plan for a Movie Marathon

Some of the best family time we have is when we all snuggle on the living room couch, pop some popcorn, and watch movies. We share some of our favorite childhood movies, watch a movie series, or put on a new release. Set up the couch with a bunch of blankets and get cozy.

You can make it really special with a snack graze plate. We go to the dollar store and get a few movie theater style snacks and make a tray with it. What I like is that you don’t have to put a ton out of each snack, but it still gives kids a novel experience. 

Tips for January Family Fun

• Dress appropriately: Plan for success by investing in the proper winter gear. If you plan on taking on the outdoor elements, it really makes the difference between having a fun outing or a miserable one. .

• Try new things: The best approach to combating the January lull is variety. Whether you balance your outdoor adventures with indoor fun or simply plan a different weekend event, plan for different events to prevent boredom.

• Take advantage of deals: Being mindful of your budget will save you stress. Try to balance free and discounted events with things that cost money. You don’t want to go broke trying to keep the family engaged. 

• Be flexible: The winter weather can be unpredictable. Have a backup plan if the weather doesn’t do what you want it to. Keep a running list of good indoor options (or save this post!).

Use January to Create Memories

Don’t allow January to be just a month you need to get through. We only have so much time with our kids to make lasting memories, so use it in a way that all of you will cherish throughout the years. Whether you’re just building a snowman on your lawn or going to a winter festival, make it special.

You never know, you may be making traditions that your kids will share with theirs! That is something special. 

{Planning for Valentine’s Day, check out my post: 5 Creative Ways to Show Your Kids You Love This Valentine’s Day}