25 Things to Do Outside in Winter

Get dressed in your warm woollies, grab your family and friends and get outside with this list of 25 fun things to do outside in winter. We’ve also included the ideas as a free printable list so you can have the ideas handy all winter long!

About Makuru and Djilba

Winter spans the Noongar seasons of Makuru (cold and rainy weather) and Djilba (cold to warm and clear weather), reflectubg south-west WA’s unique climate. 
 
Makuru brings the coldest and wettest part of the year, with Djilba marking the beginning of the season’s shift — days slowly lengthening and bursts of colour blooming as new life emerges. It’s a season of puddle-jumping, misty mornings, and spotting early wildflowers. Nature thrives in winter, and so can we, whether you’re bundling up for a walk in the rain, building a cubby, or watching waterbirds return to wetlands.

Remember to dress for the weather whatever the season! At Nature Play WA we believe there’s no bad weather, only bad clothes!

RELATED: Looking for ideas for the other seasons? Check out our lists of Things to Do in Spring, Things to Do in Summer and Things to Do in Autumn,

25 Things to Do Outside in Winter

Here are the Nature Play WA team’s list of fun outdoor activities we think are perfect for this time of year! Head to the bottom of the list to download a printable version.

1. Build a dam or bridge using sticks and leaves in flowing streams of rainwater. 
   
2. Stand under a tree after it has rained and gently shake the branches to create your own shower.
   
3. Perfect your rock skimming skills! Now ponds and lakes are filling up with rainwater, find some flat rocks and skim them over the water’s surface.

4. Splash in puddles. Pull on your boots (or go barefoot!) and enjoy the fun of jumping, stomping, and splashing.
   
5. Go on an alphabetical nature walk. Can you find objects with names that start with each letter of the alphabet? You can use our handy free, printable alphabet Alphabetical Nature Walk list to record your discoveries.
   
6. Make a mud masterpiece. Use dirt, rainwater and nature items to whip up some muddy art.
   
7. Go on a listening walk. What sounds can you hear? Rain on leaves, birds calling, water trickling, wind whooshing? 
   
8. Create a sensory basket full of nature’s treasures: pinecones, feathers, shells, and gumnuts, for loose parts play.
   
9. Make a rain gauge from a glass jar. Mark centimetre measurements on the outside, place it outdoors, and see how much rain falls. 
   
10. Build a bug hotel from a cardboard box and collected natural materials. See our blog post for full instructions.
    
11. Play in the rain & let it fall on your face. Is it cold or warm? Light or heavy? Let your senses explore. 

12. Visit a waterfall. Try Lesmurdie Falls at Mundy Regional Park, Serpentine Falls, or Hovea Falls and National Park Falls at John Forrest National Park.
    
13. Make a “rain trail”. Walk barefoot in wet grass or puddles and see the prints you leave behind. 
    
14. Go beachcombing. Wild, windy weather brings fascinating treasures to the shore – what can you find? 

15. Create a leaf creature collage. Collect interesting leaves and turn them into people, animals or magical beings.
    
16. Mix up fairy potions in old jars. Use petals, leaves, water and dirt to create your own magical brews.
    
17. Go on a nature photo hunt. Choose a theme – like “shapes” or “colours”— and snap away! 
    
18. After the rain, go for a walk and look for wriggly worms, snails, and other creatures. 
    
19. Open a mud restaurant. Serve up muddy dishes to your family or toys.
    
20. Use our free Play Trails app to complete a Play Trail near you, or try the Play Anywhere trail that can be used at any local park. 

21. Slide down a slippery hill after it rains. Sit on a piece of cardboard, baking tray or plastic lid.
    
22. After rain, keep your eyes peeled for colourful fungi and lichen (but remember: look, don’t touch).
    
23. Try cloud spotting on a stormy day. What shapes do you see? How fast are they moving?
    
24. Create tracks in the mud. Try making them with your hands or feet, or natural objects. Can you find any animal tracks?
    
25. Look for rainbows. Head outside before or after rain — can you spot a rainbow in the sky?