Winter is a magical time filled with holidays, snowy landscapes and the warmth of togetherness. It’s the perfect season to start traditions that your kids will look forward to every year. Traditions create a sense of belonging and memories that can be cherished for a lifetime, shaping how kids feel about winter and family. Here are some cozy, creative and fun ideas to start your family’s unique winter traditions!

Books can be a powerful tool to spark imagination and excitement. A winter book countdown is a way to celebrate the season with stories. Gather a mix of winter-themed books, holiday classics and family favorites, and wrap each one individually. Starting on the first day of December, let your kids pick one book to unwrap each night and read it together as a family. This countdown builds anticipation for the season and encourages nightly family bonding through stories. It’s also a chance to share tales from around the world and introduce your children to different holiday customs.

Winter transforms the world outside into a frosty wonderland, and even a simple walk can turn into a magical adventure. Bundle up and go for a family walk, focusing on finding and observing nature in its winter state. Look for animal tracks in the snow, unique ice formations, pinecones and other seasonal treasures. To make it even more fun, create a winter treasure hunt list. Include items like “a red berry,” “an animal track” or “a snow-covered tree.” This tradition encourages kids to notice nature's beauty in winter and to enjoy the outdoors, no matter the temperature.

The shorter days and longer nights of winter create the perfect setting for cozy indoor crafts. Gather supplies like paper, markers, pinecones, glitter and glue, and set aside a day dedicated to making winter crafts together. Some ideas include snowflake ornaments, handprint wreaths, or pinecone bird feeders. You could even make holiday cards for friends and family. Displaying the crafts around the house brings an extra layer of warmth to your winter decor and gives kids a sense of pride in contributing to the holiday atmosphere.

Tip: consider using treasures you find on your nature walks for your crafts.

Winter is a wonderful time to snuggle up for storytelling. Family story night can involve reading classic winter stories, sharing family memories or even letting kids come up with their own winter tales. Give each family member a turn to tell a story or share something they love about winter. You might even record these story nights to play back in future years—it’s a great way to preserve family memories and see how everyone’s interests change over time.

The close of the year offers an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. Create a simple family gratitude ritual by making a “thankful jar” or “gratitude tree.” Each week, have each family member write down one thing they’re thankful for and add it to the jar or tree. On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, gather as a family and read through everyone’s notes. It’s a special way to close out the year, teaching kids to focus on the positive moments and appreciate all they have.

Starting winter traditions with your kids doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to choose activities that you’ll enjoy as a family and that reflect what makes winter special to you. These traditions are more than just fun—they’re about building bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.