24 Fun and Creative Activities to Do with Kids at the Cabin

What can you do with kids at the cabin without planning everything in advance? We in Cabin Living, we’ve put together a guide with 24 fun and creative activities. When the kids are full of energy and the weather changes faster than a tired toddler’s mood, it helps to have a few good ideas ready. Here’s your go-to list for cozy and fun things to do with children at the cabin – indoors and outdoors, summer and winter. Perfect for a family-friendly cabin getaway that everyone will enjoy.

Outdoor Activities – Year-Round Fun

Create a mini ski track
If there’s snow around the cabin, pack down a small trail with turns and markers. Ideal for young skiers who want to practice at their own pace.

Build a sledding hill
Have a slope nearby? Use snow piles and a couple of sleds to make your own sledding arena – and compete for the fastest or most stylish run of the day.

Nature bingo
Make a simple bingo card with drawings or pictures of pinecones, flowers, birds, or stones. Send the kids outside on a nature treasure hunt.

Treasure hunt with a homemade map
Draw a treasure map and hide small items outdoors – marbles, shells, or a small surprise.

Berry picking and blueberry muffins
Grab a bucket and go berry hunting in the forest. Back at the cabin, bake some delicious blueberry muffins together – a treat that smells and tastes like cabin magic.

Campfire bread (stick bread)
Make dough with the kids and bring it outside. Wrap the dough around sticks and roast it over an open fire or a fire pan on the terrace. A simple and memorable activity.

Snowmen and snow angels
If there’s snow, dress warmly and make snow art. Build a snow family and name them Aunt Frost and Uncle Chill.

Build a forest shelter or secret base
Find a sheltered spot in the woods and build a small hut from branches, twine, and sticks.

Indoor Activities for Rainy Days

Cabin movie night
Snuggle up in blankets, dim the lights, and watch a family film – with popcorn bowls and favorite stuffed animals as VIP guests.

Paint on stones
Bring in dry stones and use paint to create mini artworks. Try making a stone zoo or a colorful cabin name sign.

Games and puzzles
Bring out cards or a board game. For younger kids, simple puzzles or “I spy with my little eye” can be just as fun.

Bake buns or waffles
Let the kids take charge of measuring and mixing. Yes, there will be flour on the floor – but also warm treats and happy faces.

Cushion fort in the living room
Stack couch cushions and blankets to build a secret hideaway with space for flashlights, books, and snacks.

Activities That Encourage Confidence and Connection

Mini cabin Olympics (indoors or outdoors)
Set up a fun five-event game like balancing on a stick, hopping around the cabin, or throwing pinecones in a bucket. Give out prizes to all participants.

Make cabin postcards
Use paper, colors, and glue to create cards that kids can mail to grandparents – or to themselves. A fun memory for the mailbox.

Creek boat races
Make boats out of bark, sticks, or juice cartons and race them in the creek. Cheer them on and keep an eye out for tadpoles!

Cloud watching
Lay out blankets in the grass and watch the clouds float by. Ask questions like, “What does that cloud look like?” and let the imagination run wild.

Let boredom spark creativity
Allow space for a little boredom – that’s often when the best ideas come. Kids are surprisingly good at inventing games on their own.

Build a forest obstacle course
Use rope, logs, and stones. Compete to see who is fastest, most accurate, or best at balancing.

Cabin’s Got Talent
Let the kids put on a show with songs, magic tricks, dance, or jokes. Parents are the audience – and the biggest fans.

Nature quiz
Ask the kids to come up with questions about trees, animals, or plants. Can they stump the grown-ups? “What’s this leaf called?” or “Which tree is the tallest here?”

Fishing from the dock or shore
Catching something is a bonus – the real value is in learning to bait a hook, cast a line, and wait patiently. Extra points for finding your own worms.

Animal track hunt
After snowfall or in damp soil, look for animal tracks. Make it a detective game – was it a fox, moose, or rabbit passing by?

Adventure trail
Take a short walk and turn it into a journey through a fantasy land. That tree over there? Maybe it’s a sleeping troll.

Practical Tips for Parents

• Always pack a backpack with extra mittens, socks, some chocolate, and band-aids.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent can save the day – any time of year.
• Let the kids help choose the plan for the day. When they get to decide, they’re often more engaged and excited.

Ready for a cabin getaway with the kids?
Cabin Living offers family-friendly cabins with room for play, peace, and memorable experiences – whether you’re heading to the mountains, forest, or coast.
Explore our family cabins here

Also read: Why cabin getaways are better than hotels for families with young children