Best Winter Sports for Kids

List of the 5 best winter sports for kids and youth to try during cold months on the calendar.

The winter season is in full swing and there’s still plenty of time for discovering new winter sports for our kids. A quick look at the professional sports calendar is evidence of this: only the Super Bowl remains on the NFL calendar, and both the NBA and NHL have reached the midway point. 

We still have a few months of winter (even more depending on where you live) and now is the perfect time to have your child/children start playing their new favorite winter sport. Here’s a list of the 5 best winter sports for kids to try out. 

List of the Best Winter Sports for Kids

Skiing + Snowboarding

Let’s start on the snow and ice. Easily two of the fan-favorite sports on this list, skiing and snowboarding is a terrific winter activity for any families in close access to a ski mountain. Ski mountains and ski resorts are set up perfectly for newbies to the sport. Get on the mountain and test your skills with a guided professional lesson from the best instructors. 

Do a quick google search of ski and snowboarding near me to find out the closest options for your family. This is a great weekend or day trip and can easily turn into a lifelong love of sport.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is another sport that beautifully symbolizes the cold, winter months. While this sport is played and taught mainly indoors, the beauty of ice skating is accessibility. If you find a safe, completely frozen over (this is IMPORTANT), the sport can even be done outdoors. 

Ice skating is a skill, much like skiing and snowboarding, that can last your child a lifetime. It requires strength, coordination, balance and other physical traits that will help your child stay active and healthy. 

Hockey

Staying on the ice for our third pick, ice hockey is one of our favorite winter sports for kids. This team sport follows similar rules to soccer and lacrosse, with one priority result in mind: score more goals than your opponent. 

Hockey is a great option on our list of the best winter sports for kids because of the same physical skills required by ice skating – and adding in a great team element of communication, teamwork, and bonding. 

Hiking

Hiking is an interesting option on our list. Maybe not considered one of the “typical” team sports, this is a great way for your child and family to stay active during the cold winter months. It’s also a sport that translates into all other seasons of the year. 

Strap on some hiking boots, find a local trail, and get your map and compass and you’re well on your way to hiking. This sport is a great way to connect with nature and can be enjoyed by every member of your family. 

Basketball

Are you cold yet from thinking of all of these winter sports? Well, you’re in luck! Head back inside for the last item on our list. This is one of the best options! Basketball. 

One of the most popular sports in the United States (and world), basketball is a game beloved by many. The game heads indoors during the cold winter months, but can be played outside on your local courts throughout the rest of the year. Basketball is another great team sport that builds physical conditioning and skills, but also tests qualities like teamwork and communication.