Winter often means more time with the family since the kids are home from school for the break. However, many people end up just staying inside to avoid the cold weather. Even if it’s not snowing, there is a lot to do outside.
Top Outside Activities for You
If you’re looking for ways to keep active this winter and want great activities to do with the family, try out the following.
Head Out on a Hike
The cold weather doesn’t need to signal the end of hiking weather. Buy a new, comfortable pair of suede sneakers, put on warm clothes, and head out on a local trail to see the sites in winter.
The look will often be very different from what you’re used to during the summer, but it offers your kids the chance to see different animals, check out their habitats, and learn how they stay warm.
Make and Hang Bird Feeders
Birds may have some trouble finding food during the winter months, so why not help them out? DIY bird feeders are an excellent activity for kids and adults.
Take a walk through the yard to find items to use for the bird feeders. Then, spend some time walking around the yard, thinking about where a bird might look for food, to find the perfect place to hang the bird feeders.
Go Box Sledding
Snow isn’t needed to go sledding. Empty cardboard boxes can be broken down and used on a grassy hill for a fun, cheap sled.
Try racing with the kids, looking for ways to make the boxes slide faster, or seeing who can decorate the best cardboard box sled before heading outside.
The kids will love this activity, even if the hill isn’t too big, as they can enjoy the speed and fun without waiting for snow.
Head to the Beach
A nearby beach can be perfect for an afternoon trip. Dress in extra layers, as the wind is sure to make the beach feel colder. Don’t plan on going in the water.
Instead, take a walk down the beach to look for shells, climb on the rocks or hills around the beach, and look out for sharks, dolphins, and other marine life from the shore.
Roast Marshmallows
Build a fire in the backyard to enjoy roasting marshmallows after dinner. There’s nothing quite like sitting in front of the fire, roasting marshmallows while the sunsets.
Make sure the kids understand fire safety before lighting the fire, so there aren’t any accidents. If you’d like to do more than just roast marshmallows, use camping recipes for cooking and enjoying dinner outside by the fire.
Construct a Fort
Search the yard for sticks, large leaves, and anything else that can be used for construction. Then, once all of the supplies are gathered, start building a fort.
This is a great time to introduce kids to how things are built, and the whole family will enjoy gathering up all of the supplies.
Once the fort is built, it’s sure to be a favorite place to relax, play, read a book, and more. Depending on how the fort is constructed, it can be taken down and rebuilt another day or left in place for a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Winter weather doesn’t mean having to stay inside. Even though it’s cold out, there’s plenty to do and see outside.
If you’re looking for ways to stay active this winter and enjoy the time with your family, try out all of the ideas here. The whole family is sure to have a fantastic time, no matter how cold it might be outside.