10 Things You Can do Outside with Your Family Even in Cold Weather

1. Go for a walk

I’ll be the first to say I don’t like cold weather, but there really is a special beauty to nature during winter. The air is fresher and crisper and it doesn’t take long to warm up when you are on a vigorous walk. Whether you live in a city or the country, chances are that you won’t regret getting outside, getting some exercise, and enjoying God’s Creation.

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2. Go ice-skating

There are ice-skating rinks indoors, but it’s always more fun to ice-skate on a real rink outside! In northern Wisconsin, where I lived as a teenager, one of my favorite winter activities was to grab my ice-skates and pretend like I was an Olympic skater in a small ice rink situated in the middle of snow-covered pine trees. While your town’s outdoor rink may not be as idyllic, nothing beats the feeling of whooshing over the ice with the wind in your face. Perhaps you can even find a rink lit by Christmas lights and decorations.

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3. Go sledding

Sledding is another fun outdoor winter activity that is great for the whole family. Grab your family and a sled or two (sleds are also inexpensive) and scout out your town’s best sledding hill--or maybe even use your own backyard!

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4. Visit your town's biggest Christmas tree

Although some of these activities will only work if you live somewhere where there is snow, this one is for anyone. You could even make a game of it with your family, driving around to various locations around town, getting out and looking at the Christmas trees you spot. This is also sure to get your family in the Christmas spirit.

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5. Go on a tacky Christmas lights tour

Where I grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin there was a row of houses called “Candy Cane Lane.” It was a treat every Christmastime to drive past these houses and to get out and admire the decorations. Chances are that every city has their own “Candy Cane Lane”--go on an adventure and find your city’s! You can go with just your family, or even join an official Tacky Lights Tour.

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6. Collect pine cones and other objects to create winter decorations

We had a tradition growing up of building a snowman and then crafting strings of cranberries and popcorn to hang on it for the birds. We would also add pine cones and boughs and other wintertime objects. It’s amazing what you can find, even when there is snow on the ground!

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7. Photograph beautiful winter scenes (and each other in them!)

As I mentioned earlier, wintertime is an unique season with its own special beauty. Pine trees, winter birds, icicles, snowflakes, whitetail deer, and sunsets over frozen lakes are some of my favorite wintertime photography objects. You can also get some great family photos in the wintertime.

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8. Watch for wildlife

Not all birds fly south for the winter, and not all animals hibernate. There are still plenty that are out and about during the cold months and provide us with our own chance to score a photograph that looks as though it could be featured in next year’s calendar picture for “December.”

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9. Decorate a real tree--outside

If you’ve ever watched the classic Christmas children’s movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” you may remember how all the characters of Christmastown decorate the pine trees growing outdoors. There’s no reason why we can’t do this too! You may not want to use those extra fragile ornaments, but some ribbon, garland, or strings of cranberries should do the trick.

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10. Go Christmas caroling

Going Christmas caroling house to house is an outdoor winter activity sure to make the bite of winter not so bad. Perhaps you could get together a group from your church to spread some Christmas cheer to the homes of the elderly or those in need this holiday season.

I hope these ideas encourage you and your family to spend some time in the brisk winter air this season, and who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to come up with new ways of how to enjoy this time of year outside!

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