Although the warmth of summer may have disappeared, the fun of outdoor activities is still very much alive throughout winter
When you think of winter time and the build-up to Christmas, you may well see yourself indoors, avoiding the cold weather. While many adults opt for this tactic and to avoid the winter chills, bringing the kids around to your way of thinking may prove to be a tall order, especially with their fully-stocked payload of Christmas excitement and energy.
You’ll soon find that the thought of going outside during winter is a lot worse than actually doing so. There’s so much going on throughout winter — including a few things you may not expect — so here are five of the best outdoor activities to enjoy with your kids this winter.
1. Relaxing Winter Walks
Sometimes, you just can’t beat the simplicity and relaxation of a winter stroll with your family. Equipping yourself with an ensemble of thick woolly clothing will prepare you for the chilly breeze. There’s nothing more beautiful and refreshing taking a walk with your loved ones over frosty ground.
Although some may prefer the sunshine and clear skies of summer, winter has a strong case to be the better of the seasons as a setting for a family walk. If you’re lucky enough to get some snow this winter, it’s amazing to see how a layer of snow completely transforms everyday environments.
Even without the snow, the winter setting with its leaf-covered paths and frosty areas of greenery are definitely worth heading outside to enjoy. Plus, a few hours outdoors will make returning to the warmth of your home all the more satisfying.
2. Majestic Ice Skating
One activity that’s very popular and iconic when you think of the festive season is ice skating. The decorations go up, the Christmas markets open for business, and the outdoor ice skating rinks appear.
While you may not possess the elegance of Torvill and Dean, taking your kids ice skating is always a fun and memorable experience — even if you spend most of it trying to stay on your feet as your children skate circles around you.
With Christmas fast approaching, outdoor ice rinks will be surfacing all over the UK. If you’re unsure whether or not your area will have one, it’s worth going online and seeing if there’s outdoor ice skating nearby. You don’t want to miss out!
3. Paintballing
The dullness and chilly temperatures of winter time aren’t the ideal conditions to convince your kids to engage in some outdoor activities, unless it’s something particularly exciting. So what about a day of adrenaline-fuelled paintball action?
Not only will your kids be able to experience some authentic combat excitement, but the energetic nature of the sport will make sure that keeping warm won’t be an issue. The winter weather will further enhance the battlefield-style environments, completely changing the aesthetic to that of a sunny summer day.
Paintballing for kids is a safe and exciting activity where they can embrace their inner action hero. You’ll be giving them something more unique and memorable to get up to in the Christmas holidays, as well as a chance to burn off some of that stored up energy from staying inside. This will provide you with some peace and quiet, at least for a few hours.
4. Go to the Beach
Some people may not want to step foot onto the beach unless the sky is clear and the sun is beaming, but a walk along the beach in the winter time is just as (if not more) awesome.
The crashing waves of a sea view are the perfect backdrop for a winter stroll with your kids. Put on some wellies and, when the tide is out, you can explore the rockpools, which is just as fascinating for adults as it is for children. If you have a dog, it’s also an ideal chance to let them explore the beach and most likely get soaking wet.
Depending on how cold it is or how windy it may be, this time of year can be really nice to take some flasks of tea or even hot soup to the beach. You won’t struggle to find a secluded spot to sit, as the beach isn’t the go-to attraction for most people during winter. Take advantage of this and make it all the more special for your family.
5. Sledging (Snow Required!)
For those of you who are lucky enough to get some snow this winter, sledging is one of the most exciting and timeless activities. Not only is it fun, but there’s minimal effort or equipment required. As long as you have a steep enough hill (not too steep) and an object that’s sledge-worthy, you’re all set.
In fact, you’ll find that a few hours of sledging will prove to be a fairly hefty amount of exercise, because if you want to come back down the hill, you’ll have to climb back up it first. Seeing as this is usually the season to eat lots and stay away from the gym, sledging could well do us all a world of good!
Sledging in the snow is a winter pastime that provides your kids with hours of excitement and memories that will last a lifetime — and gives you an excuse to go sledging. It’s a win-win situation.
Winter is certainly here! The scarves and gloves are out and your heating has been cranked up, but there’s no reason to batten down the hatches and wait until it all blows over. Although it may be a little bit chillier, there’s still plenty of outdoor fun to be had. Boredom can set in quickly, especially for children who have a tonne of energy to burn. A winter of outdoor activities will give you and your kids a more memorable and exciting festive season.
