Fun in the Sun

by Roxanne Leblanc

The wintertime sun that is!

And yes, it is possible to have fun outdoors in the wintertime.

As a Canadian, I’m trying to get back in touch with my hardy, nature-loving roots. That means challenging myself to get outdoors, even when the temperature has dropped!  Some days, motivating myself is tough.  But so far it’s been an amazing experience.  Hearing the sound of my blades as they dig into the ice below my feet, the feel of snow packed into a nice, firm ball and the warmth of the sun on my face after a lightening-speed descent on a toboggan, have all brought out the child in me. At my age, that is pretty darn special.

To keep the momentum going, I’ve started a list of activities that I could do outdoors, either on my own, with my granddaughters or anyone who’d like to join me.

  1. X country skiing.

  2. Snowshoeing.

  3. Build a snowperson. Better yet, build an entire family.

  4. Build a snow fort, an igloo or even an ice hut.

  5. Set up an obstacle course in the yard with jumps, tunnels and other challenges, which could also work for kids or a dog.

  6. Feed the birds, or go birdwatching.

  7. Ice fishing.

  8. Make snow paint. Just add food coloring to water and put in a spray bottle, then go out and paint the backyard!

  9. Go on a winter picnic, with blankets, sandwiches and hot soup in a thermos.

  10. Head out on a photo expedition to take pictures of the winter landscape.

  11. Build a winter bonfire and make s’mores.

  12. Play tic-tac-toe in the snow

  13. Make Cold Molds with some pans from the kitchen. Use them to build crystal fairy castles or to create cakes for a cold-weather “buffet.”

  14. Plan a scavenger hunt.

With your help, I’d like to see if we can add to this list and come up with 150 ideas for winter outdoor activities…to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial. #yycwinter

Sources:

http://www.moneycrashers.com/fun-outdoor-winter-activities-kids-adults/

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/snow-activities-kids/?slideId=52170

 

Celia Lee