Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities When It’s Chilly in Kitchener-Waterloo
The temperature’s dropping, the snow is falling (or at least threatening to), and the kids are bouncing off the walls — sound familiar? Don’t worry, Kitchener-Waterloo has plenty of outdoor fun that’ll get everyone bundled up, laughing, and loving winter again. From sleigh rides to scavenger hunts, here are some easy, local ways to turn those chilly days into lasting family memories.
Go Tobogganing Like a Pro
Nothing beats that classic childhood thrill of racing down a snowy hill. Around KW, we’re spoiled with some great sledding spots — McLennan Park in Kitchener is a local favourite, with a big hill and loads of room to glide. Breithaupt Park and Waterloo Park also have gentle slopes that are perfect for younger kids.
Bring your toboggan, bundle up, and get ready for the joyful sound of giggling (and maybe a few “one more time!” requests).
📍 McLennan Park – 901 Ottawa St S, Kitchener
📍 Breithaupt Park – 806 Union St, Kitchener
Take a Sleigh Ride
For a truly magical winter experience, you can’t beat a horse-drawn sleigh ride. A few local farms and rural spots just outside KW offer rides through snowy fields — think jingling bells, cozy blankets, and hot chocolate waiting when you’re done.
Try:
St. Jacobs Horse Drawn Tours – offering sleigh rides (when the snow cooperates!) and wagon rides year-round.
Conestogo River Horseback Adventures – a fun option for older kids who want a mix of horses and snowy trails.
It’s old-fashioned fun that feels like stepping right into a holiday card.
Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt
Turn a simple walk into an adventure with a winter scavenger hunt! Print or make your own list of things to find — like animal tracks, pinecones, icicles, or red berries — and head to one of KW’s beautiful trails. Huron Natural Area and Laurel Creek are perfect for this kind of family exploration.
Bonus tip: bring a thermos of hot chocolate and a few cookies for a mid-hike treat break!
📍 Huron Natural Area – 801 Trillium Dr, Kitchener
📍 Laurel Creek – 625 Westmount Rd N, Waterloo
Skate Under the Sky
Bundle up and glide across one of KW’s outdoor skating rinks! The Waterloo Public Square rink and Victoria Park are both great options for families — plus, they’re close to cafés where you can grab a warm drink afterward.
If you prefer something a bit quieter, neighbourhood rinks pop up in many local parks throughout the winter. It’s all the charm of winter fun without the long drive.
📍 Waterloo Public Square – 75 King St S, Waterloo
📍 Victoria Park – 32 Dill St, Kitchener
Build a Snowman (or an Entire Snow Family!)
Sometimes, the best winter fun is the simplest. Head to your local park or even your own yard and build a snowman — or better yet, make it a family snow-sculpting contest! Bring props like scarves, hats, buttons, or carrot noses, and see who can come up with the funniest creation.
McLennan Park, Waterloo Park, and Huron Natural Area all have big open spaces perfect for snowman-building and snowball fights.
Take a Winter Walk After Dark
Once the sun sets, KW transforms into a winter wonderland. Bundle up, grab a flashlight, and go for a family night walk to check out the neighbourhood holiday lights.
For a bigger display, visit Wonders of Winter in Waterloo Park or Bingemans Gift of Lights — both are stunning and full of that holiday magic.
📍 Wonders of Winter – Waterloo Park, December through early January
📍 Gift of Lights – Bingemans, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Winter in KW doesn’t mean staying inside — it’s an invitation to get creative, have fun, and make memories that warm you up from the inside out. Whether you’re skating, sledding, or sleigh riding, there’s a little something for every family (and every age).
So grab your mittens, fill those thermoses, and get outside — because the best winter days are the ones spent together.