Put on your thickest coat, your toastiest socks, and bundle up your littles because it's time to get outside. 40+ ways to enjoy the outdoors in the winter.
Getting outdoors daily throughout all seasons is imperative for physical, mental, and emotional health; however, with the days shorter and colder, it’s tough to determine the best ways to engage in nature. It is especially tricky when there are children involved. In America, we are anxious about our children being “too” cold. We are also a country that doesn’t encourage a ton of independent and unstructured play. It’s relatively rare to see kids as young as seven at the top of a huge snow hill with cardboard sleds and no parents. Therefore, outside play for kids often means the dreaded standing in the cold (for parents). But no fear! Here are some ways to enjoy family/friend fun in the winter:
Let’s start with our traditional winter pastimes (with snow):
Make a snowman
Snow fight
Ice skating
Sledding with cardboard (or an actual sled) - making the sled is an entertaining family activity
Snow angels
Find a hot tub and enjoy
Go skiing
Go tubing
Go to a snow park
Go snowshoeing (you can rent the shoes)
Go “glamping” - a cabin or warm and cozy RV to return to after time outdoors
Join a forest or nature-centered school with your child - being outdoors with great people makes the cold weather more bearable
Make, and then dive, into a huge snow pile
If before Christmas, walk around and see the lights
Attend a tree lighting
Shop in an outdoor market or shopping "center"
New Ideas (with snow):
Make a snow castle
Attend an art installation - there are so many dope outdoor art shows in the winter
Snow ATV
Winter Bathing or Winter swimming
Make snow ice cream/icies with fresh snow (don’t use the yellow or brown snow)
Paint the snow using a nontoxic dye to tie-dye the snow
Photograph snow creations
Be winter explorers - take a backpack with an “explorer” kit
Create a snow sculpture
Set up an obstacle course in the snow
Enjoy a picnic or a snow happy hour (HOT DRINKS ONLY)
Create a treasure hunt for folks - hide things in snowy places (remember extra mittens)
Create bird feeders - it truly helps the birds (Hang them somewhere that you can replenish food until spring without going too much out of your way.)
Watch winter movies and then head to landmarks or re-create something in the film (Ex. once my friends and I watched Serendipity and then went into NYC to get frozen hot chocolates at the Serendipity 3 restaurant. It was a frigid walk - and I learned I don't enjoy frozen hot chocolate on a cold day - but beautiful memory)
Pretend to be “Uncle Russ” (Russell Winfield) and snowboard
Fun times when it’s cold, but not snowing (or incredibly icy):
Take a winter jog (BUNDLE UP)
Bonfire with hot chocolate and s’ mores
Read outside by the fire or with a big comfy blanket
Have a communal potluck - hot ciders, mulled wine, chocolate, fruit, small eats, and pastries
Take a big cozy blanket out, sit with hot drinks, and talk!!!
Put your napping toddler asleep - bundle up (and have a big comfy blanket) and allow for your small child to fall asleep in your arms or the stroller
Take a Bourbon or Whiskey walk with friends and family
Walk to grab your mid-day coffee/tea/hot chocolate
Walk to grab a hot soup - if it’s not too cold eat it outside, especially if it’s in a thermos (NOTE: Soup/stew/chili are delicious ways to get your veggies in during the colder months)
Take a hike in the forest - for a novice, I wouldn’t travel uphill or downhill in case of snow
Bundle up and go to the park
Check out your local “parent” or city magazine and participate in the listed outdoor activities
Enjoy a Christmas market in your town - I used to love the ones in both NYC (Union Square) and Philly (Center City)
This list is just the start! Regardless of what you choose to do in the winter, ENJOY the cold or move to a warm-all-year climate (lol)!
Get a double shot of happiness and relish these activities with other folks. Then at night, when it's time to curl up and get cozy with your book, movie, or music, it will be a day well spent. Or do the opposite - get outside by yourself and then retire with friends. I pray that your winter's rhythm will be one that allows time to get out (breathe and take in some Vitamin D), move around naturally, enjoy your people, and nourish your body and soul.
Shalom and Polepole,
Shelby
Edited by Ashley Yancey