a man pointing at a squirrel in a tree to show a child while standing by a bridge in snowy weather

How to Get Your Kids Interested in the Outdoors

Armed with the right gear, plenty of snacks and these creative solutions, maximizing your family’s winter outdoor time is easier than you think.

Published January 19, 2024

Updated January 30, 2024

Unless you live near the equator, winter presents some unique challenges to getting kids outdoors. For one, the days are shorter — it’s tough to plan an after-school hike if the sun has already set. Our best advice? Get creative. To help you get those creative juices flowing, we’ve teamed up with L.L.Bean to round up a few fun ideas that you can pull off this winter, plus essential gear to help keep your kids warm along the way. After making their way through this list, they’ll be suggesting their own outdoor adventures in no time, and learn that there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad gear. Stories about these adventures will come up at the dinner table for years to come.

Build a Snow Castle — and Defend It

Sand castle molds aren’t just for beach days. Break out these summer staples after a winter storm to up your kids’ snow day game. L.L.Bean’s Castle Snow/Sand Mold Kit ($45) isn’t just for delicate towers — the brick-making molds mean it’s capable of helping your offspring build a true fortress worthy of the family name. And a structure like that demands a real arsenal, so call on this Snowball Maker ($8) to help them defend it from the other neighborhood clans.

Trek Over the River and Through the Woods

Whether you take a lap around the neighborhood, explore a local park or try a more rugged winter trail, strike out on a snowy adventure. Pack snacks and hot cider, and keep the little ones from sinking into the drifts by strapping them into a pair of L.L.Bean Kids’ Winter Walker Snowshoes ($99). Make sure they stay warm by helping them throw on an L.L.Bean Kids’ Down Jacket ($109) with DownTek insulation and a cozy fleece lining. For extra fun, find an open field and have them practice writing their names in the snow with their footprints.

Throw an Outdoor Movie Night

There’s nothing more magical than watching a winter classic while taking in the seasonal surroundings, and it’s possible with the right gear. Help your kiddos build a cozy nest on the deck or in the backyard in the glow of the holiday lights with the help of L.L.Bean’s Cotton-Blend Camp Sleeping Bag ($79) — just remember to lay down a tarp first if it’s snowy. Bring the hot chocolate and a laptop and you’ve got a holiday movie night to remember.

Make a Campfire Meal

For breakfast, lunch or dinner, build up a toasty blaze in the fire pit and have the kids make their own flame grilled cuisine. This Campfire Pie Iron ($30) works for hand pies stuffed with your kids favorites fruits, and it really shines when it comes to grilled cheese. For dessert, we recommend combining Nutella and marshmallows for deliciously gooey s’more sandwiches.

Play Winter Wildlife Bingo

Some creatures are hibernating this time of year, but there’s still plenty of life out there to see if you know where to look. Bundle up for a wintry walk and see how many critters you can count. Spot some birds with these L.L.Bean Discovery Sport Waterproof Binoculars ($79) or follow the tracks in the snow to see where the rabbits and squirrels are hiding out.