I know winter isn’t the preferred season for a lot of outdoor families. It was actually my least favorite for a very long time. Here in Upstate/Central NY it gets cold, not to mention the mountains of snow and lovely layers of ice. But having kids around is a fabulous motivator to find a way to get out there. The need to move and play doesn’t hibernate for winter, and it has actually been a blessing to have a push to try new things. We aren’t a skiing family, so that wasn’t the answer for us although I know it works for many. Instead, here’s our personal 6 favorite ways to get outside and embrace the cold with a couple of tips. I hope you can find an idea to inspire you to try something new!
A note on gear:
Always pay attention to the weather, and dress appropriately to stay safe. That being said, you do not need fancy gear to get outside. Back in the day we’d just keep layering until you feel warm enough, but used snow gear is a pretty accessible option thanks to the internet. If you want to try something that uses specialty equipment try googling the activity + rental + your zip code to find rental options (like: ‘snowshoe rental 1111’). Whatever works to make it happen for you–have fun! If you’re unsure, you can see more about choosing rental/used/new gear here.
Snow Science
Winter actually presents a neat opportunity to mess around with natural science experiments requiring cold conditions. The biggest hits in our home are snow ice cream, ice bubbles, and snow volcanoes. These are perfect if the weather is too nasty to be out for an extended period of time. You can pop out, do something cool, and be warming up inside of 10 minutes. And who doesn’t love the chance to offer some sneaky learning moments? You can click here to get the materials, instructions, and brief why-this-works overview for our 3 favorites!
Snowshoeing
I don’t think snowshoeing gets nearly enough credit. It is such a fun way to get outside and enjoy nature trails without sinking up to your knees. You do want to keep your first outings pretty short to assess how everyone will handle the extra weight of the shoes, and it can be a bit more strenuous than walking normally.
Great benefits include: they’re super easy to rent in most places with heavy snowfall, and there’s no significant learning curve or wild techniques. We personally have a blast seeing what our favorite nature trails look like with snow while keeping an eye out for animal tracks!
Sledding
It’s a classic winter activity for a reason: sledding is delightful. When in doubt check google or local/neighborhood social media for the sledding hills in your area. There’s likely more than you think! You will probably need to buy a sled, but they aren’t a huge upfront cost and should last a long while.
Pro-tip: bring hand warmers and a thermos of cocoa to bridge the gap of freezing but not yet ready to leave.
Winter Hikes
Similar to snowshoeing but without the snow drifts, there’s nothing wrong with just hitting the trail in winter. The cold weather completely shifts the landscape even without heavy snowfall. I definitely recommend having microspikes on hand, as ice can get treacherous quickly. Microspikes are handy little gadgets you slip on right over your boot and you immediately have little spikes to grip the ice and keep you upright! I have a whole list of what I bring hiking to keep our bases covered, but as long as you’re prepared to have traction and stay warm it is lovely out there.
Ice Skating
Another rental friendly activity, ice skates are basically rentable wherever ice skating is an option. If you’ve never gone out on skates you may want to look for a rink that provides walkers to use on the ice, or start with an indoor rink where you can hold the wall. But once you get the hang of it there is magic to be had! All 3 of the kids were very quick converts to ice skating and request a visit to a rink multiple times a week all season. On top of the health benefits and honest fun, I am convinced that nothing brings a family together like wobbling around learning something new.
Just Play!
When all else fails just play in the snow. Sincerely. Adventures, activities, and skills are awesome–no arguments there. And yet. Snowmen, snowballs, snow angels, forts, and just running amok? So much fun, readily accessible, and will get the kiddos outside just fine. Sometimes we get so caught up in doing things that we forget unplanned chaos has a definite place too. If the goal is ‘outside’ unstructured play is just as valid and enjoyable as anything else. Just get out there!
Did I miss your favorite? What are your favorite ways to be outside in winter? Let me know!
Happy snow days 🥾💚