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When the dark sets in at 5 pm and the puffer jackets come out to play, it’s all too easy for the doom and gloom to creep in. And when life becomes a carousel of work and Netflix, we’ve got things to do to remind you that it doesn’t have to be this way.
But we’re human, and winter is naturally a season for slowing down, so this isn’t about maintaining your productivity. It’s about leaning into the season and finding winter activities that inject a little life into your routine, giving you the energy to keep the gloom at bay. So, have a read, pick something you think you’d like and give it a try. It could be just what you needed.
Winter activities for the soul
It’s the soul that needs nourishment when it’s dark and cold, so these winter activities are about turning in and reaching the parts of yourself that need a little warmth and light. We’ve got candle making, to put you in touch with your ancestors, discovering fire for the first time. Melt wax, blend scents and create something uniquely yours to light up the long nights ahead.
For quintessentially cosy activities, you can’t go past textiles. Think sewing and embroidery, crochet and knitting or tufting. Bright yarn and unique patterns come together to become your winter sidekick. They’re fun to do over a cuppa, with friends old or new, and the perfect way to stay warm this winter.
If you feel the winter chill deep within your bones, a tea experience might be the cure. From making your own blend to learning about the traditions and history, tea experiences are the perfect winter activity. Enjoy some hot sips while you spend a couple of hours learning and creating in a cosy studio or cafe. Then go home and add a calming ritual to your everyday routine.
Your soul will love…
- This highly-rated cosy drink candle making class in Sydney, Glebe
- This 5-star custom rug workshop in Chelsea, Melbourne
- This community favourite tea blending workshop in Abbotsford, Melbourne
Winter activities for the body
Pale, hidden and covered in goosebumps, it’s all too easy to neglect your body in winter. But your summer body isn’t the only one deserving of love. These winter activities are like a big hug, a way to thank your body for carrying you through the short days and chilly mornings.
Start with skincare making. It’s a lot luxurious and a thoughtful way to care for the largest organ of your body. Choose all-natural ingredients and make your own skincare with no nasties. When you get home, you’ll have some handmade goodies that keep your skin soft and supple despite the dry air. Wonderfully sensory and a little envy inducing, we recommend you share or make extra for loved ones.
When your body starts to atrophy from evenings in front of the TV, these body and soul experiences offer a gentler way to move. From meditation and yoga to massage workshops, nothing here is overly strenuous, but they’ll help you reconnect with your body and shake off that sluggish winter feeling.
Your body will love…
- Make natural, organic skincare products and enjoy a hight tea in Highvale, Brisbane
- Move your body in Willagee, WA at this uplifting chair yoga and dancing class
- Rediscover sensuality when you make your own massage oil, and learn how to use it at this workshop in Wolli Creek, Sydney
Fill up your calendar with our things to do in Australia guide!
Winter activities for the belly
Winter is the season of eating! Warm stews, slow roasted vegetables and the best comfort food, there’s no doubt that it’s a time for cooking, not salads. Keep yourself and your loved ones fed with cooking classes, guaranteed to teach you handy kitchen skills and offer a fun time in the process. With no washing up and often a shared meal at the end, cooking classes are a must-do winter activity. But, if you feel you’ve mastered the savoury kitchen, baking and dessert classes are your next frontier, and there’s nothing like sugar to give you a burst of energy and joy when the gloom gets too much.
Your belly will love…
- This ramen and tonkotsu class in Chatswood, Sydney is a winter fan favourite
- Feed your family with this Indian soul food masterclass in Bentleigh East, Melbourne
- Learn how to make lasagne, the ultimate comfort food, in Bahrs Scrub, Brisbane
- Indulge your winter cravings at this Belgian chocolate truffle class in North Adelaide
Winter activities for the mind
Your body’s not the only thing that can atrophy in winter. When you’re tired and sluggish, stimulating your brain is often the lowest priority, but it’s one of the easiest ways to feel energised. Keeping your creativity alive when everything is cold and grey is the perfect winter challenge to keep you motivated, and it doesn’t require a whole lot of physical effort.
Something as simple as heading to your local pottery studio, wearing your most casual, comfiest clothes, and making ceramics with your own hands can inject enough creativity to get you out of a rut. And, after your piece has been glazed and fired, you’ll have rustic, homely ceramics for your home. Maybe a handmade mug for your coffee or a quirky, colourful vase for the flowers you bought to brighten up your home. Whether you make it a hobby or a once-off, it’s a fun winter activity that’s perfect to do with friends or solo.
And if you want colour and creativity without clay, painting classes can get you expressing the parts of yourself you’ve been repressing in your sleepy, winter state. To make it social, add some BYO bevvies and snacks, then head to a paint and sip with your crew. There’ll be colour and fun with no pressure to improve your art. It’s the perfect start to your winter festivities, and a great way to bring a little brightness to dark winter nights.
Your mind will love…
- Brave the cold with your better half at this date night wheel throwing class in Newtown, Sydney
- Try handbuilding in Adelaide with this vase workshop
- Make a colourful enchanted canvas in this Perth painting workshop
- Paint your furry companion in this top-rated paint your pet class in Kew, Melbourne
These winter activities prove the season doesn’t have to feel gloomy. The key is to embrace slow, cosy things to do without the frantic energy of summer. Every season brings something different, and winter reminds us to nourish ourselves, reset and rest a little more deeply. So make the most of it while still honouring your need to slow down.
