Winter Activities

Winter is full of ice and snow, blustering winds, and freezing temperatures. It is also a season that is full of fun activities. Even though it’s cold outside, that is no reason to lay passively by the fire hibernating until the winter’s end. Get outside and enjoy the snow! Whether you’re a kid or an adult who is a kid at heart, there are so many reasons to enjoy this cool season.

The first snowfall has always been my favorite day of winter. I’m not talking about the first day that snow flurries around the city. My favorite day of winter is the day that snow blankets the city. As much as I hate digging my car out of icy trenches, I love the way the beautiful snow glistens and lights up the evening when it would otherwise be dark outside. As the first snow falls, I begin planning all of the activities that can be done outside.

There are lots of things that can be done once there is a layer of snow on the ground. My favorite activity is sledding. Shooting through the snow on a piece of plastic bundled up like a colorful marshmallow is my idea of a great time. Sleds can be found in many different colors, styles, and aerodynamics so it is important to find one that is a good fit for you. And, if while sledding a snowball fight ensues, my day is complete.

Another time-honored tradition in my neighborhood is the snowman/woman-making contest. People get a little wacky when it’s really cold like this, I think it’s the lack of warmth to the brain or something. I have witnessed a snowman dressed in army fatigues, one dressed like George Washington, a very colorful Indian princess, and one that was supposed to look like Cher but the wax lips kept falling to the ground. There have been many winners over the years, and this contest has paved the way for the impending snow-angel-making contest this year. I admit, this was my idea so that the little kids can participate in the fun. It is easier to decorate a snow angel than to build a snowman. For both, make sure to try to use things that are environment friendly like fruits and vegetables, birdseed, etc. After the contest is over, it is customary to take the extravagant snow people apart (so as not to lose any accessories used in the contest) and have a snowball fight.

There are also a few traditional winter activities that can be done whether the weather is cold or warm (for those of you in snow-less climates, listen up!). A favorite chilly activity for both children and adults is ice-skating. Although those of us living in Arctic-like weather can skate outside, the activity is just as much fun indoors and there are no worries of losing limbs to frostbite. Indoor rinks are lots of fun, and sometimes equally as cold so make sure to wear long pants, mittens, scarves, and earmuffs. If you are at an outside rink, make sure to pay attention to numbing limbs as well as ice safety. Never skate on top of a pond or lake unless it is specified as a rink and under adult supervision.

The last of the great winter activities is one of my favorites and also a great activity for those in toasty warm or icy cold climates: Making gingerbread men. Although gingerbread men (or women/kids/people in general) are traditionally baked around Christmas time, they have no religion. They can be eaten and made by all! Another favorite thing to do with gingerbread is to make little houses. Gingerbread houses decorated with frosting and all kinds of candy are a labor of love in my house and then just as quickly and easily demolished by our family and friends once Mom says it’s OK.

So there you have it, a few reasons to get out during the winter rather than stay at home hibernating. Keep your head out of the snow and have a wonderful winter.

The Party Girl

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