Winter is in full swing here on the Seacoast and with it comes lots of opportunities for family fun. Even if you’re not a fan of cold weather, our winter bucket list will tempt you away from the coziness of home — and it might even persuade you to brave the elements! We also have a few suggestions for indoor activities when it’s too freezing to be outside. Here are our suggestions for must-do winter bucket list items for the whole family.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is fun, inexpensive, and accessible, making it a great activity for the whole family. There are lots of ice skating rinks on the Seacoast, and several easy ways to get skates. If your kids don’t own a pair, try reasonably priced options at Play it Again Sports, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace. Some town recreation departments have skates available to borrow for free, or skate swaps at the beginning or end of the season.
Check out our best ice skating tips and spots, here.
Sledding
Arguably one of the best winter activities for kids, don’t miss out on sledding with your family this winter. Grab a sled and hit up your town’s best hills — they all have them. Wagon Hill in Durham, Garrison Hill in Dover, and the hill next to Powderhouse Hill in York are good options to check out. If you are looking for more organized sledding, try one of these tubbing locations, some only an hour away from the Seacoast.
Looking for more ways to play in the snow? Take a look at these suggestions.
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Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing
There are lots of options for cross country skiing and snowshoeing right in our own backyards — quite literally. If you don’t feel like blazing your own trail, and don’t mind an hour drive, check out Wolfeboro Cross Country Ski Association or Gunstock for some Nordic trail options. Closer to home, Stratham Hill Park and Wagon Hill Farm have great trails for skiing or snowshoeing. Again, if you don’t own your own equipment and don’t want to rent, head to Play it Again Sports, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace for some more affordable options.
Winter Hiking
Even in the winter, hiking is a great Seacoast family activity and you don’t have to go far. In fact, your favorite warm weather hikes can often work in the winter as well. My family loves Great Bay Discovery Center in Stratham and the Winnie the Pooh Trail in Barrington. Bundle up, grab some snacks, and bring a sled to pull tired kiddos.
We have tips to make winter hiking more enjoyable here. Are you hiking with a baby? Check out our suggestions here. Don’t mind a longer drive? The White Mountains offer spectacular hiking options. Look into these winter items for outdoorsy families, perfect to have on hand when hiking.
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Downhill Skiing
While most mountains for skiing are about an hour away from the Seacoast, it’s still definitely a must-try activity in winter. Check out Freelance Adventurer’s amazing tips for starting your family off on the right foot with alpine skiing.
Skiing can be very expensive, but there are some ways to get around some of the costs. For example, purchase used equipment or rentals (especially if you only plan to go once or twice) and head to mountains like Bradford, McIntyre, and Powederhouse Hill, which are not too far and offer more reasonable tickets if you’re looking for beginner areas. And if you live in Maine, kids second grade and under ski for free at Black Mountain. Kids five and under ski free at Sugarloaf, Waterville Valley Resort, and Saddleback Mountain. Passport options for Maine and New Hampshire can make downhill skiing more affordable for older kids as well.
Indoor Winter Fun
Even if you love the snow and ice, there are some days when it’s just too cold, or dangerous, to go out for long. When that happens, try one of our easy indoor bucket list suggestions while you wait for the temperature to warm up a few degrees.
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- Visit a Seacoast museum like New Hampshire Children’s Museum, The Seacoast Science Center, Albacore Park, or Strawbery Banke.
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- Spend an afternoon at your local library.
- Have a board game day or movie night.
- Read winter themed books with your kids.
- Cook with your kids! Try Misa’s Clean Kitchen for some yummy and healthy recipes.
