---
title: Winter Break Bucket List
description: Make the most of winter break with your exchange student by sharing holiday traditions, trying new activities, and creating lasting memories together. Explore our winter bucket list for inspiration.
image: https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Tradition-1.png
---

[![ices@2x](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png?width=77&name=ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png)](https://www.icesusa.org/)

 

- [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/)
- [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/)
- [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/)
- [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/)
- [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/)
- [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/)
- [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org)

[Let's Talk](https://blog.icesusa.org/contact)subscribe

### I’d like to learn more about Campaign Creators!

 read

# Winter Break Bucket List

By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel)

![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Tradition-1.png)

Winter break is here, and it's the perfect time to slow down from the school routine. With a few weeks off, you and your exchange student can make the most of your time together with activities that might not fit into a busy school schedule.

Here are some ideas to help you celebrate the season!

 

## Share Holiday Traditions

![Family picking out a Christmas tree](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Tradition.png?width=770&height=516&name=Tradition.png)

Invite your exchange student into your family's [holiday traditions](https://blog.icesusa.org/8-ways-to-integrate-your-exchange-students-culture-into-holiday-celebrations), whether it's decorating the tree, cooking a special family recipe, or celebrating in your special way. Don't forget to ask about their traditions back home, too!

 

## Try a Winter Sport

![People ice skating outdoors](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Skate.png?width=770&height=516&name=Skate.png)

If you live in a snowy area, take advantage of it. Take your exchange student ice skating, sledding, or skiing. For warmer climates, look for an indoor rink or try something new like roller skating. Don't forget the post-activity hot chocolate!

 

## Explore Local Holiday Lights or Holiday Markets

![Outdoor holiday light display](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Light.png?width=770&height=516&name=Light.png)

Take your exchange student to a local Christmas market, winter festival, or holiday light display. Enjoy the smell of hot cocoa and the sparkle of twinkling lights. If you're at a Christmas market, sample some treats and show your exchange student how your community celebrates the holidays.

 

## Volunteer Together

![Family filling donation boxes](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Volunteer.png?width=770&height=516&name=Volunteer.png)

Participating in community service shows your exchange student the American spirit of giving back.  Whether you volunteer at a food bank, animal shelter, or holiday toy drive, it's a meaningful way to spend time together and [give back during the holiday season](https://www.vogue.com/article/ways-to-donate-and-volunteer-this-holiday-season-2025). 

 

## Take a Day Trip

![Family in the car with a dog](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Day%20trip.png?width=770&height=516&name=Day%20trip.png)

Plan a [short road trip](https://samantha-brown.com/destinations/how-to-plan-a-day-trip/) to a nearby city, landmark, or winter attraction. Visiting new places helps your student experience more of the U.S. Let them help you plan where to go!

 

## Decorate a Gingerbread House

![Person decorating gingerbread house](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Gingerbread.png?width=770&height=516&name=Gingerbread.png)

Get creative in the kitchen and [decorate some gingerbread houses](https://wilton.com/baking-inspiration/cute-gingerbread-house-ideas/). You can buy kits at most grocery stores or make everything from scratch if you're feeling ambitious. The end results are always entertaining!

 

## Attend a Sports Game

![silhouettes of people cheering at a basketball game](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Sport%20game-1.png?width=770&height=516&name=Sport%20game-1.png)

Whether it's a local basketball game or a professional hockey match, sports are a big part of American culture and make for a fun family outing. Explain the rules and teach your exchange student some cheers.

 

## Cook a Meal from Their Home Country

![Delicious food on a table with people passing dishes](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Meal.png?width=770&height=516&name=Meal.png)

Ask your exchange student to teach you how to make a favorite dish from home. Shop for ingredients together, let them lead in the kitchen, and enjoy a taste of their culture. This also gives them a taste of home during the holidays.

 

## Have a Holiday Movie Marathon

![Family watching Christmas movie](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Movie.png?width=770&height=516&name=Movie.png)

Make some popcorn, grab some snacks, and have a cozy movie night with American [holiday classics](https://www.nytimes.com/article/christmas-movies-streaming.html) like "Elf," "Home Alone," or "It's a Wonderful Life". Ask your exchange student to share their favorite holiday film from their country, too. 

 

## Set up a Hot Cocoa Bar

![Cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows surrounded by cookies and candy canes](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Hot%20cocoa.png?width=770&height=516&name=Hot%20cocoa.png)

Stock up on marshmallows, whipped cream, and toppings for a fun twist on this winter favorite. Let everyone customize their perfect cup. It's a simple activity to plan, and is a great activity for bonding with the family.

---

Winter break doesn't have to be packed with expensive activities or elaborate plans. The most important thing is spending quality time together and making your exchange student feel like a valued member of your family. Whether you choose activities from this bucket list or create your own, you and your exchange student will have a blast [celebrating this season together](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-creative-ways-to-celebrate-christmas-with-your-exchange-student). 

 

 Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), [Christmas](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/christmas), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun), [Winter fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/winter-fun)

### Related Articles

<https://blog.icesusa.org/mid-year-check-make-your-year-great>

## [Mid-Year Check: Make Your Year Great!](https://blog.icesusa.org/mid-year-check-make-your-year-great)

*( read )*

 Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), [Christmas](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/christmas), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun), [Winter fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/winter-fun)

<https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting>

## [Why January Is the Best Time to Say Yes to Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting)

*( read )*

 Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), [Christmas](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/christmas), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun), [Winter fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/winter-fun)

<https://blog.icesusa.org/how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-new-year>

## [How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-new-year)

*( read )*

 Topics: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), [Christmas](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/christmas), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun), [Winter fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/winter-fun)

### Subscribe to The Chronicles of Marketing Newsletter

### Posts by Tag

- [Cultural Exchange (141)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange)
- [Exchange Student (106)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student)
- [Host Families (97)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families)
- [Host an exchange student (78)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student)
- [Youth Exchange (68)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange)

## Subscribe to Our Blog Today!

![Boris_ICES_Ads](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Boris_ICES_Ads.png?width=749&height=698&name=Boris_ICES_Ads.png)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Lily Vesel",
    "url" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-12-11T17:02:51.508Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-12-11T17:02:51.000Z",
  "headline" : "Winter Break Bucket List",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Tradition-1.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.icesusa.org/winter-break-bucket-list",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject"
    },
    "name" : "International Cultural Exchange Services"
  }
}
```