Fun Winter Activities

 

Winter.  Most people either love it or hate it.

Sure the snow is beautiful, particularly from a cozy spot inside by the fire with a good book.   However, unless you can figure out a way to hibernate for several months, eventually you and your family will have to venture outside.  Not to mention the fact that cabin fever will set in after approximately 25 minutes for the kids.

Fortunately my children actually enjoy being outside even in the cold, I wish I could say the same.  Last year, and so far this year, we haven’t had too much snow in Michigan.  We haven’t put away the bikes, scooters or put away the swings,  they have been know to swing when there is snow on the ground!  I created a list of fun activities to do inside when the weather is too nasty to be out, but now here are a few suggestions for fun, family activities to do outside.  Not only are these activities enjoyable, but they also provide much needed exercise.

 

1.  Sledding – I know this is an obvious one!  Make the day extra special by finding a new sledding area.  Sometimes golf courses will allow people to sled in winter.  A golf course can be a great choice because it’s generally a wide open area with no obstructions.  You can peruse this site to find some new to you sledding hills in your area.

2.  Snow Shoeing – There are many local parks and recreation areas that rent snow shoe equipment along with cross country ski equipment and you can share the same trails.  Here is a great article about getting started with with young kids in tow.

3.  Ice Skating – When we were younger, many local parks had outdoor ice rinks that were prepared by the local community.  For a while that seemed to fade out a bit, but now seems to be making a bit of a come back.  Most outdoor rinks however, don’t provide skate rental.  Purchasing brand new skates for the entire family would be a bit pricey.  Check used places like Craig’s List. Play it Again Sports, or watch garage sales throughout the year.

4.  Winter Scavenger Hunt – Now this idea will take a bit more prep on your part, but has the potential for great fun.  The ages of your children will of course depend on how in depth your scavenger hunt is, but check out this site for some great ideas on how to get started.  This would be a fun activity if you have a child with a winter birthday.  I created a Pinterest board for some of the scavenger hunt ideas I found.  {I also found some new to me nature blogs that were fun to peruse – go check it out!}

5.  Build a Snow Fort – If you have a great deal of snow, this can be a fantastic way for all family members, regardless of age and ability, to work together to create a snow structure.  You could even try your hand at building a Quinzhee!

 

What is your family’s favorite winter activity?