10 low-effort ways to make extra special memories with your kids this winter.
The Winter months can feel like a slog sometimes… it definitely feels like there are extra months compared to the rest of the seasons… 2025 feels about 20 months long already! I don’t think it helps with Pancake Day being in March this year, it’s definitely in February usually right? I’m not so patiently waiting for the start of Spring….roll on 20th March!
One thing I do love about the Winter months though (in fairness there’s lots I love but I’m just ready for warmer weather) they are also the perfect months for slowing down, getting cosy and making special memories with your little ones. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, so it is easy to feel like we’re just trying to make it through to the other side, particularly if like us you’ve dealt with multiple power cuts this Winter. So why don’t we take the power back (not literally, unfortunately)? Embrace the cosiness of it all and make some plans that help you make the most of this time of year.
I believe that these small, everyday moments can become treasured memories that last a lifetime - whether it’s snuggling up for a bedtime story, crafting together on a rainy day, or creating new family traditions.
Here are 10 simple and meaningful ways to be present with your kids this winter—plus a few handmade, sustainable products to help make those moments even more magical.
1. Create a cosy bedtime routine
Winter nights can feel extra long, which makes bedtime routines even more important. A calm and comforting routine not only helps kids feel safe and secure, but it also provides a daily opportunity for connection.
Snuggle up with your child and read a bedtime story together.
Let them pick their favourite book each night and create a little bedtime ritual.
Support their developing independence and executive functioning skills by giving them a special space in their room to lay out their pjs and favourite comfort toy ready for bedtime, you could also talk about what’s planned for the next day and let them get their clothes out for tomorrow.
Use a Memory Blanket made from their old baby clothes to wrap them up in warmth and nostalgia, you can talk through each square and your memories related to the square. It’s a beautiful way to keep those precious early moments close, even as they grow.
Tip: If your child struggles with the transition to bedtime, try a Bedtime Cushion Cover? You may have had a Christmas one as part of a book advent tradition, but why not continue to use it all year long (or get a non-Christmassy version) to help with winding down before sleep by encouraging connection, reading and relaxation time before sleep.
2. Start a Family Storytelling Tradition
There’s something magical about storytelling on cold winter nights. Whether you’re reading books together or making up your own stories, this activity strengthens bonds and encourages creativity as well as developing language skills.
Gather around a cosy spot and take turns making up stories—one person starts, and everyone adds a sentence!
We have a couple of sets of storytelling dice which my kids love and there’s usually some pretty funny combinations that come up.
Keep a keepsake fabric envelope where kids can write down (or draw) their favourite family stories to look back on year after year.
3. Make Tooth Fairy Visits Extra Special
Losing a tooth is a big childhood milestone, (our youngest has just lost her first tooth), and the magic of the Tooth Fairy can make it even more exciting. Instead of scrambling for a last-minute hiding spot, keep a Tooth Fairy Pocket ready under their pillow.
Personalise the experience by leaving a little note from the Tooth Fairy.
Have your child write or draw a message for the Tooth Fairy and keep it as a sweet memory of this special phase of childhood.
4. Get Creative with Crafting Days
Winter typically means more time spent indoors, so why not turn it into an opportunity for creativity? Decorate Your Own Kits—crowns, banners, and other fun projects—are a great way to engage your child’s imagination while spending quality time together.
Set up a mini “craft corner” where kids can work on their designs.
Have a craft night where each family member makes something and then shows it off!
Reuse leftover craft materials to make DIY gift tags or thank-you cards.
Save some of your recycling, add some ribbons, stickers, tape, split pins, glue (if you’re kids won’t make too much mess with it) and challenge your kids to invent something. We call this box the Izzy Gizmo box in our house, inspired by the books by Pip Jones.
Tip: These kits are perfect for playdates, winter birthdays, or even a fun family competition!
5. Create a Family Winter Bucket List
A bucket list is a great way to make sure you prioritise fun, connection, and new experiences. It’s also a great way to encourage your kids to be involved in planning activities for the whole family. Sit down together and write a list of things you want to do this winter, like:
Go on a winter nature walk
Make homemade hot chocolate with a selection of toppings
Have a pyjama day and movie marathon (popcorn optional but definitely encourage in our house)
Build a cosy reading fort
Create a scrapbook of your favourite winter moments
Keep your list somewhere visible, we like post-its on the fridge, and check off (or scrunch up) each activity as you complete it! Why not have a personalised banner close by to remind you of the intention you set to be present and make memories together.
6. Cook and Bake Together
Winter is the perfect time to get kids involved in the kitchen! Whether it’s baking gingerbread cookies, making a warm soup, or stirring up a homemade hot chocolate, cooking together is a great way to teach life skills and create lasting memories.
Let your little one wear a Handmade Hippo kids’ apron so they feel like a real chef!
Give them age-appropriate tasks like stirring, pouring, or cutting soft ingredients with a safe knife, we love these and have used them for years!.
Tip: Don’t stress about the mess - embrace the chaos and enjoy the process! Getting the kids involved in tidying up afterwards can be fun too, we like to play a song and see how much we can tidy by the end of the song
7. Have a Winter-Themed Movie Night
Turn an ordinary movie night into a memorable family experience!
Make it a “pyjama and blanket fort” event with plenty of cushions and soft muslins.
Let the kids pick their favorite films, or introduce them to classics from your own childhood.
Make DIY tickets to enter the “cinema” or let them use them to “buy” their movie snacks for a fun role-playing twist.
Create a little popcorn and snack bar where the whole family can create their own snack mix. We have these bowls from One Mama One Shed and love that everyone has their own special snack bowl.
8. Embrace Slow Mornings
Instead of rushing through your morning routine, take advantage of the cosy winter season by slowing things down.
Enjoy a big family breakfast together with warm porridge, pancakes, or toast with homemade jam.
Let kids feel involved by helping you cook breakfast, setting the table or choosing the day’s activities.
After breakfast why not play a board game together or spend some time at the table with each person doing something independently that brings them joy? My kids are enjoying sewing kits at the moment but Lego, reading or colouring is always a hit too. It’s good for your kids to see you setting time aside for doing the things you enjoy for yourself occasionally, rather than just working through that never ending to do list.
9. Go on a Winter Adventure
Even when it’s cold, getting outside helps everyone reset.
Head out for a crisp winter walk and look for signs of the seasonal changes in nature - bare trees, frost patterns, or animal tracks.
Collect leaves, twigs, or small stones for a nature-inspired craft project later.
Make a scavenger hunt list for kids to check off as they explore!
10. Give the Gift of Handmade Memories
Whether it’s a custom memory blanket, a handmade apron, or a personalised banner, choosing gifts that hold meaning and longevity helps make memories that last.
Encourage kids to make gifts for family members and friends, like decorating banners, crafting keepsakes or even drawing them a special picture.
In our house we love making jam. If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably seen how much I love living the life of a hobbit; jars of jams, chutneys and pickles make great gifts and your kids can design special labels for the jars.
Use sustainable wrapping methods, like fabric gift wrap or reusable bags.
Talk to kids about thoughtful giving and why handmade, sustainable gifts are extra special.
At the heart of all these ideas is the simple truth that memories aren’t about perfection — they’re about being present. Whether it’s bedtime snuggles, crafting afternoons, or baking together, these small moments add up to something truly special.
I’d love to hear about your winter traditions and activities, so make sure to leave a comment below!