31 Festive Outdoor Activities to Celebrate the Magic of December
Embrace the magic of December with these 31 festive outdoor activities. From building snowmen to stargazing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this special time of year. So grab your coat, bundle up, and head outside to create memories that will last a lifetime. We sometimes include products we think might be useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
December 1st: Take a walk or hike in a park or nature preserve and enjoy the crisp winter air.
December 2nd: Build a snowman or snow fort in your backyard or neighborhood park. No snow? Make a structure out of tree limbs or build a fairy house with leaves, sticks, pine cones, moss and more.
December 3rd: Go ice skating on a frozen pond or lake. Or find a local outdoor ice rink near you.
December 4th: Have a snowball fight with friends or family. Or take a soccer ball or football to a local park and play a round.
December 5th: Roast marshmallows, sausages or apples over a fire pit in your backyard or at a park. We were recently gifted this new fire pit for our backyard. We really enjoy it. And these telescoping s’mores roasting sticks have changed the game on roasting marshmallows.
December 6th: Go stargazing on a clear night.
December 7th: Take a winter photography class and learn to capture the beauty of the season.
December 8th: Visit a Christmas tree farm and pick out a fresh tree for your home.
December 9th: Go caroling with friends or family.
December 10th: Attend a holiday lights festival.
December 11th: Make a DIY wreath or other holiday decoration.
December 12th: Go for a sleigh ride or horse-drawn carriage ride.
December 13th: Donate to a local charity or volunteer your time to help others.
December 14th: Bake a batch of holiday cookies or treats to share with friends and family.
December 15th: Go ice fishing on a frozen lake or pond.
December 16th: Build a bird feeder and fill it with birdseed to attract feathered friends to your yard.
December 17th: Go on a winter nature hike and look for animal tracks in the snow or frost.
December 18th: Have a hot cocoa party with friends or family.
December 19th: Go to a Christmas market or craft fair.
December 20th: Attend a holiday concert or performance.
December 21st: Take a winter camping trip and enjoy the solitude and peace of the outdoors.
December 22nd: Go for a winter walk in the moonlight. Make luminary lanterns to light the way.
December 23rd: Make a snowman angel in the snow.
December 24th: Attend Christmas Eve service at your local church or other place of worship.
December 25th: Make hot cocoa and go for a car ride to look at local neighborhood holiday light displays.
December 26th: Go skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing. My kids got this stand-up sled as a gift and love it.
December 27th: Have a winter picnic in your backyard or at a park.
December 28th: Build a snow castle in your backyard or neighborhood park.
December 29th: Go for a hike or walk in a new park or nature preserve.
December 30th: Have a cookout or BBQ. A great book for getting ideas on outdoor cooking.
December 31st: Watch the fireworks display on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the new year!
