For some reason, I never seem to learn my lesson when it comes to holiday spending. Year after year, I allow myself to get swept up in the magic and chaos of the season and inevitably splurge way too much on gifts, seasonal outfits, and nights out. By the time the new year rolls around, I’ve resigned myself to spending the remainder of winter in timeout to help my wallet recover from the holidays.
But this year, I’m changing my tune. Despite my limited post-holiday budget, I’m determined to make the most of this season, and as it turns out, there are plenty of fun winter activities to fill my time that are 100 percent free. Below, I’m sharing 27 completely free things to do this winter that’ll help you enjoy everything the season has to offer without having to reach for your wallet.
Is there anything better than hunkering down on a cold winter night with a movie marathon or series binge? I don’t think so. The next time you want to romanticize a solo night in, evening hang with friends, or at-home date night, turn your viewing space into the ultimate home theater with some popcorn, dim lighting, and plenty of blankets to snuggle up under.
Whether you’re casually strolling a charming city strip or hiking a public trail, walking in the cold is seriously invigorating. Even when the temperatures are below freezing, getting some fresh air and exercise will help boost your mood, which is a huge plus during winter. Just make sure you’re wearing appropriate attire for your walk — like a winter coat, hat, gloves, and boots with good traction — to stay as warm as possible.
Exploring your local library is one of the best cures for cabin fever. Spend some time browsing the aisles — including sections you’d normally shy away from — and check out a few titles that catch your eye. You could even crack open your next read in one of the library’s dedicated reading areas. You’ll not only get to see your tax dollars in action but also experience a change of scenery, which is crucial when you’re spending so much time indoors at home.
If you and your besties love a good craft project, make this your next girls’ night activity. To keep costs down, work with materials you already have. Projects like drawing or sketching, origami or paper crafts, and junk journaling require minimal materials. Serve some finger foods and ask your guests to bring an additional snack or beverage to really round out the evening.
It doesn’t matter how old you are: You’re never too old to go sledding. After the next powdery snowfall, round up your friends and find a nice big hill to sled down. And if you don’t have a sled on hand, no need to run out to the store to buy one — a cardboard box will do the job just as well, and for free.
If you could use some comic relief from the dreary weather outside, host an at-home talent show, complete with judges and score cards, for your friends and family. The best part about this activity is that it hinges on the element of surprise — you have no idea what hidden talent or unusual, surprising skill might be uncovered throughout the evening. The night will be solidified as an unforgettable memory by the time you crown a winner.
Volunteering is not only a great thing to do any time of the year, but it’s also one that you can do solo, partnered, or with a group of friends. Either way, taking the time to help out a local animal shelter, food bank, or soup kitchen is a phenomenal way to give back to the community you live in. Pick a cause you believe in and spend some time giving back this season.
If you want to keep your social battery fully charged without continuously draining your bank account with nights out, try scheduling recurring game nights. Set a repeated standing date on the calendar (this can be weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly), and keep things fresh by playing something new each time. Your rotation can include card games, board games, party games like charades, conversation games like “would you rather,” and mobile-based options like Jackbox Games or Heads Up.
Whenever you can’t bring yourself to brave the freezing temperatures, cozy up with a new book instead. Set the scene to disappear into whatever you’re reading by lighting a candle, turning on a cozy YouTube ambience video, and pouring a warm beverage to sip on. This winter activity doesn’t require leaving the couch but will make you feel way better than doomscrolling ever could.
Flex your singing skills and challenge your friends to a karaoke contest, sans the expensive equipment or trip to the bar. The tech setup is simple: Connect a phone or laptop to a TV, and use YouTube videos (the Sing King account has a huge library) or a karaoke app like Smule for the music and song lyrics. Then, choose whether the format will be solo or group performances, themed rounds (think: 80s songs, Disney classics, etc.), or randomly generated songs. You could even up the ante by having everyone score the performance on a scale of 1-10, then crown a winner!
Although museums typically charge admission, many offer free entry on certain days of the month, so you can explore the exhibits at no cost. Visit the websites for museums in your area to check for free admission days coming up. You could also check if your local library offers free museum passes, and if you’re a Bank of America cardholder, utilize the Museums on Us program, which offers free admission to participating cultural institutions nationwide the first full weekend of every month.
The internet offers a wealth of knowledge you can easily tap into, often at no cost. Set a goal to learn something new — like a new language, graphic design skills, and so forth — and use free online courses, apps, and TED Talks, as well as YouTube tutorials and free ebooks from Project Gutenberg, to do just that. Diving into a new subject is a great way to exercise your brain and maybe even acquire some new skills that’ll shine on your resume.
Making something cozy in the kitchen is one of the best ways to spend a cold winter day. When it’s too cold to venture outside, skip the trip to the grocery store and raid your pantry and fridge for ingredients you already have. Whether you want to whip up a sweet treat or a simple pantry dinner, don’t be afraid to get creative! If you need some inspiration, snap a picture of the ingredients you have on hand and ask an AI assistant to provide a recipe for you.
If you think stargazing is an activity that’s solely reserved for summer, think again. Winter might actually be the season for stargazing, thanks to the low humidity (which creates clearer skies) and Earth’s position in space during this time of year. So the next time you need to fill an evening, bundle up, grab some blankets, and find a comfy spot to look at the stars.
Having an epic snowball fight with friends is another free way to tap into your inner child this winter. Pick your teams, designate boundaries, and hone your snowball-making strategy. Once you’re done, you can head back inside and sip on some hot chocolate together while you determine who won.
We tend to spend more time at home indoors during the winter, which is why this is arguably the best time of year to give your space a facelift. Rearranging your existing furniture is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this without shelling out tons of money, but decluttering and reorganizing cabinets, closets, and other storage areas also works. A little effort now will give your home a fresh, new feel that’ll make you excited to stay in.
Unleash your inner creative this winter through writing. If you’re not sure what to write about, start by writing letters to your friends, family, or future self. If you’re feeling reflective or craving some clarity, journaling your inner thoughts and emotions or compiling a daily gratitude list is ideal. Otherwise, diving into a creative writing project can be beneficial if you want to reinvigorate your imagination and originality.
If you live in a snowy area, tap into your inner child by building a snowman in your yard or a nearby park. You could even turn it into a competition by challenging neighbors, friends, family members, or a significant other to participate. This is a great way to embrace the winter weather while simultaneously serving nostalgia if you grew up playing outside in the snow.
If you feel like you never have time to read, a podcast club is the perfect alternative to a book club. There’s an endless library of free podcasts accessible to everyone, so gather some podcast-loving friends, pick one to listen to, and meet every so often to discuss your thoughts and reactions. Try choosing a podcast series that contains multiple episodes (a storytelling or investigative podcast would be ideal!) so you’ll have more material to dissect at your club meetings.
Buying the pre-packaged mix might be the most convenient option, but making hot chocolate from scratch is surprisingly easy. You likely have all the necessary ingredients already! Just mix together some cocoa powder and sugar with hot water or milk, and serve with a garnish like marshmallows or whipped cream. For a twist on the classic recipe, experiment with add-ins like peppermint extract, espresso, dessert liqueur, and more. This cozy winter activity is also fun to do with friends!
Venturing out to the gym or a workout class is the last thing most of us feel like doing when it’s freezing outside. Luckily, you don’t need to leave your house to get some exercise in (and reap those mood-boosting benefits). Whether you’re into pilates, HIIT, or strength training, you can access a plethora of free workouts across every category imaginable on YouTube.
For a fun (and free) thing to do with friends this winter that doesn’t require going outdoors, host a PowerPoint night. Have everyone pick a topic they’re passionate about and create a presentation complete with facts, figures, and charts to back up their opinions. You can choose a theme for the presentations — like unpopular opinions, worst-to-best rankings, or deep dives into niche interests — or allow for full creative freedom. Either way, it’ll bring you all together, give you something to laugh about, and help you stay connected during a season when we’re liable to unknowingly retreat into ourselves and our lives.
It’s time to break out that puzzle that’s been collecting dust on the top shelf of your closet. Completing a puzzle is not only gratifying, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for your brain. If you don’t happen to have one lying around, try searching for puzzle games online or download an app to play from your phone.
If your bathroom cabinets look anything like mine, you probably have a collection of pampering products you haven’t yet found time to try. This winter, use the frigid weather as an excuse to have a spa day with all your fanciest products. Set the scene with some soft music, a cozy robe, and a calming scented candle, then indulge in some pampering for your skin, hair, or nails.
Some bird species might fly south for the winter, and this is precisely what makes winter the perfect time to start birdwatching if you haven’t already. Your chances of glimpsing a unique species are higher during this time, and the beauty of this activity is that you don’t have to leave your house to do it. Download a birdwatching app that’ll help you correctly identify and track which birds you see, and watch what’s going on outside through your window while you’re sipping your morning coffee, doing the dishes, or giving your eyes a break from screens.
Enter your manifesting era and create a vision board designed to make all your wildest dreams come true. You can either use physical materials like poster board and magazines or an online platform like Canva or Pinterest to collect visuals and words that match your aspirations. Paste everything together into a collage, then display it in a spot where you’ll see it every day.
If there’s one thing childhood taught me, it’s that building a blanket fort isn’t as easy as it looks. It’s a feat of engineering that requires careful consideration, which makes this free winter activity even more fun and rewarding. Use pillows, couch cushions, furniture, and other household items to create your structure, then enjoy your cozy refuge on a frigid evening.
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