Body + Mind is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through some of the links on our site.
TL;DR: Exploring fun winter hobbies with your partner could make you feel more fulfilled, especially if you find a seasonal activity that indulges both of your interests.
The arrival of cold weather sends many scurrying for their couches and comforters. However, with a little ingenuity, the chilly season is actually the best time of the year. Things get even better when you do new, exciting activities with your partner. Try one of these 10 fun winter hobbies for couples, and the first robin of spring will appear before you know it:
When it comes to torching unwanted pounds, you can’t do much better than cross-country skiing. It’s widely accepted as the best cardiovascular exercise known in exercise physiology.
Bid adieu to all that silly advice about getting in shape for spring and summer. If you tackle this winter workout with your beau, you’ll look sleek and toned under your parka. Plus, it makes a great bonding opportunity, resulting in stronger relationships.
Yes, you can get all hot and sweaty long after September — and outside of the sheets to boot. Hot yoga can help you detox and feel like you need a cold shower in January. As its name suggests, this modern twist to the ancient practice entails practicing poses inside high room temperatures.
Like any form of physical activity, it invites you to stay active and have fun. Instructors won’t expect you to do well at first, and that’s completely normal. Hot yoga is an inclusive practice, allowing you to modify any pose that makes you uncomfortable.
Building a snowman is one of the best winter hobbies for couples who are competitive. Create a challenge to see whether you or your partner can invent the most original sculpture. Think of ways to elevate the classic snowman look and test your creativity. Alternatively, join forces and create a masterpiece the neighborhood kids will marvel at.
You don’t have to have the skills of Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner to enjoy a day on the ice together. You can have fun even if you do nothing more than hold each other up.
However, if you have the means, why not invest in some lessons? Maybe you won’t master a triple salchow, but you’ll have a blast.
If you and your beau want to show off toned gams in your shorts this spring, take up snowshoeing this winter. This sport works your quads and hamstrings like a few other activities.
This suggestion works best if you live in the upper Midwest or another region with significant accumulation. It takes a little while to get the knack, but once you do, the entire pristine white wilderness is yours and your partner’s.
If you read this suggestion and wondered if the writer wasn’t right in the head, hear me out, please. Camping in wintertime offers some of the best cuddling opportunities ever. Plus, it might be the best season of all for the pastime if you live somewhere like Miami or Phoenix.
If you have an enclosed pickup truck, you can throw an air mattress in the back of your cab to stay off the cold ground. Bring plenty of wood for campfires and marshmallows for s’mores and bundle up for a night under the stars.
Remember that winter camping isn’t the best time to dress to impress. Wear multiple layers of clothing — base layers, mid-laters, puffer jackets and shell jackets to keep your body regulated amidst the cold weather. Pack a hot water bottle and place it at your groin to keep your body warm. More importantly, choose the right campsite that’s not miserably cold. A good setting should have plenty of sturdy trees and shades.
If it seems like the night sky is even more heavenly in winter, you aren’t imagining things. There are two reasons why you can see more stars in winter.
Warm weather traps more particles in the atmosphere’s inner layer, obscuring your view in the summer months. Plus, this time of year, the northern hemisphere points toward deep space, not the sun. You can spend the evening stargazing and identifying constellations or creating a new one named for the two of you.
Do you and your mate have a full schedule of entertaining lined up for the winter holidays? Even if you don’t, you might want to throw a celebration to show off your new cooking skills after taking some classes together. You can finally master how to make a perfect roux for that gumbo.
This idea would be fabulous if you and your partner came from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Why not learn to prepare the authentic cuisines of each other’s origins? You could combine your recipes and invent a new fusion dish that would wow your family and friends.
When was the last time you and your sweetie tripped the lights fantastic? If you stopped dancing once the club scene started wearing on you — or the pandemic interrupted your date nights — why not try ballroom dancing?
This fun fitness style teaches you to anticipate your partner’s moves, helping you move harmoniously. Your coordination on the dance floor could spill over into daily life, making you an even stronger team.
Making and decorating gingerbread houses can be fun for adults, too. It’s a way to showcase your creativity while staying cozy indoors. This activity is ideal if you have kids to join the fun. Spend an afternoon baking and putting up a gingerbread house together.
You can do this every weekend and schedule a weekly competition where you and your partner compete with one another. Have your friends and family judge and taste your masterpieces to see who wins.
The snowy season doesn’t need to mean hibernating indoors in front of your television, binge-watching Netflix shows. This time could easily be an era of fun exploration if you and your partner choose it to be. Try these 10 fun winter hobbies for couples and make the cold months the best ones of the year.
More Winter Hobbies for Couples Questions
A good hobby for couples is any activity they both enjoy equally. If one person loves working out, but the other hates the gym, the shared activity could become a source of resentment. Talking with your partner about your shared interests is the best way to find a hobby you’ll both love.
The least expensive hobby is anything that uses minimal to no equipment. Walking, doing body weight exercises and bird watching are excellent examples. You could also explore hobbies that require supplies, but fit comfortably in your budget. The least expensive option will depend on your income and spending flexibility.
The five hobbies rule suggests people feel more fulfilled when they have at least five types of hobbies. They should each do one of the following — keep you active, help you learn, express your creativity, push your personal growth and make money. Your winter couples hobby could be more enjoyable if you find one that fits a category that your individual hobbies aren’t fulfilling.
The 2-2-2 rule for couples is a general guideline that says you should have a date night every two weeks, a weekend trip every two months and a long vacation every two years. The goal is using that time to prioritize your relationship. Affording time away isn’t easy for everyone. If following the 2-2-2 rule isn’t possible for you right now, sharing a fun winter hobby could help you find more time together without breaking the bank.
Original Publish Date 09/24/2021 — Updated 01/06/2025
Your email address will only be used to send you our newsletter, and at any time you may unsubscribe. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
