The big holidays may have passed, but winter has just begun. There is no reason families can’t extend their winter togetherness until the warmer months of spring.
Whether you live in dry or snow-filled area, there are enough winter activities to accommodate any family.
Here are a few to consider:
Outdoor Activities
While snow is a pretty sight, it doesn’t have to just be something to look at; it can easily be turned into a playground. Here are some fun things you and your family can do in the fluffy stuff:
There are simple ways to stay active and have fun during the winter
Snow Painting: Make green snow! As well as red, blue and whatever other food coloring you choose. All you need are some water bottles, colored water and creativity. The entire family can “paint” a mural, or choose a theme to make individual pieces.
Igloos, Castles and Snow Caves: Bread pans aren’t just for baking; they can be a great mold for snow bricks as well. If you have enough snow and manpower, you can build a town complete with snowmen. You can also bust out the beach shovels and pales to create a snow castle. Turn it into a fortress and protect it in a snow fight.
Winter Walk: With or without snow, you can take some thermoses of hot cocoa for a family adventure. Bring a camera along to capture the frozen (or not so frozen) findings. Playing I-spy, searching for animal tracks or posing in winter scenes can keep things interesting.
Indoor Activities
Anyone who has had to shovel their way out of their home knows winter doesn’t always bring about the nicest conditions, but there are plenty of ways to make up for it indoors with your family. Here are a few activities:
Snow Globes: Using old mason or baby food jars, you can create winter scenes inside with plastic figurines before filling them with water and glitter.
Glove Puppets: If gloves aren’t enough to combat the cold outside, use them for a finger puppet show inside. By cutting off the tips and drawing on fingers, you can create star actors. The family can divide into groups to write scripts and perform for each other.
Beach Party: Show winter who’s boss by hosting a family beach party. Turn up the heat, put on summer clothes and have a cook-in with hotdogs and hamburgers. The younger kids can snorkel in the bathtub while older ones take in a summer-themed movie.
Family Feast: When you can’t get out to a restaurant or the cold just doesn’t entice you, host your own family feast by cooking together. Have each person make or assist in a making winter favorites like warm chili or soup with winter cookies.
“Sockball” Fight: Maybe you don’t have snow or maybe you just don’t want to deal with the cold. You can still capture the spirit by setting up a “war” zone throughout the house with “sockballs” for ammunition.
Snow Slushies: Once you’re finished playing in the snow, you can grab a cup full and make some culinary creations such as Kool-Aid snow cones or soda pop slushes.
Adrienne May is a military spouse. Her husband is an Army soldier and now is serving in the Army National Guard. Together they have three children from preschool to pre-teen. Adrienne has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology & Non-Profit Management, and is actively involved in family readiness and disaster preparedness on the state level. She spends her free time advocating for military family programs, homecoming transition programs and adequate veterans benefits.
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