With a couple of long, winter months still ahead of us, we are bound to be susceptible to the winter blues and cabin fever at some point.
Fear not! Although we can’t wish the cold and snow away, we can choose to embrace the special opportunities this season presents and find joy in them. Here are 15 of my favorite winter activities that are well-suited for every winter bucket list. I hope they encourage you to go outside and spend time with loved ones.
Go Sledding
Sledding is fun for all ages. Looking for a place to go sledding in Genesee County? Click here.
Build a Snow Fort or Igloo
Send your kids out to embrace their creativity (might as well join them!) in the snow by making snow forts and igloos. You can even get these brick molds which are the perfect snow tools to help them build the snow structures of their imagination.
Make Chili
Chili sounds like the perfect winter meal. Make it a family-involved event and encourage everyone to be in the kitchen. Click here for a list of recipes.
Go Ice Skating
Want to feel like you’re gliding right out of a seasonal movie or Christmas card? Visit your favorite outdoor rink and carve pirouette circles in ice with your feet! Click here for a list of outdoor rinks in Michigan.
Serve at a Homeless Shelter
Given, we all should make more time in our routine schedule to help out our community and do good, but the cold, winter months make it even more imperative to lend a helping hand.
Make Hot Cocoa
Who doesn’t love a hot cup of cocoa to offset the cold? Why not fancy it up by making gourmet hot cocoa with peppermint chips, chocolate chips, caramel syrup, whipped cream, and marshmallows?
Do a Family Puzzle
Puzzles probably aren’t your typical go-to family fun night this day and age, but there’s something classic and warm about everyone getting involved and working together to solve a challenge.
Have a Snowball Fight
Boys against girls? Kids against parents? Once that packing snow falls, it’s game on.
Make Snow Cream
Did you know that you can make ice cream from snow? It’s delicious! Try your hand at it with this simple recipe.
All you have to do is mix together the following ingredients:
- 8-10 cups snow (more cups if your snow is fluffy, less if it’s wet and dense)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 can of evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Build a SnowMan
Frosty only gets to visit once a year. Join together and build one snowman or have a snowman building contest.
Freeze Bubbles
Grab your kiddos or your camera and watch the bubbles freeze before your eyes. Try blowing the bubbles onto different objects to see how they crystalize colorfully with different surroundings.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding
I think most people generally fall into one of two categories; you’ve tried it and love it or you’ve never tried it. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t already on your winter list, why not be adventurous and try something new?
Donate Toys
Once the Christmas season is through, there are more than plenty of toys hanging around and there’s a good bet that the kids aren’t playing with ALL of them. (In fact, they probably forgot they even had a good majority.) Take some time to figure out which ones need to be rehomed and donate them to a family or child in need.
Color Snow
Add some color to the white landscape by using food coloring to draw pictures in the snow or a snow color spray to add some life to your winter wonderland igloos and forts.
Bake Cookies
What list isn’t complete without baking some cookies? Baking warms up the kitchen, the home, and hearts.
What are some of your favorite activities to do during this winter season? What keeps your heart warm when your body is chilled?
