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Outdoor Winter Activities

© Deanna Couras Goodson

It's December. With a few days to go before the official winter season begins in the Northern Hemisphere, I bet it's cold outside. I grew up in the northeastern part of the United States in the state of Massachusetts. I always wanted a White Christmas. Something about snow and the holidays seem to go together.

At this time of year, many animals hibernate; that just means that the animals sleep through the winter. Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to "hibernate" too, at this time of the year. They just don't like to go outside much.

Well, there's so much to do when the world is your winter wonderland. Exercise is healthy. Cold air can be refreshing. Staying indoors and eating too much isn't going to keep you strong.

I'm going to give you a short list of activities you can (and should) do outdoors this winter. Take along friends, family and warm clothing.

Skiing - Skiing is a great sport. It is a cardiovascular activity. That's just a fancy way of saying that it is good for your heart. Make sure to take a grown-up (and probably some lessons too!) before heading out onto the slopes.

Sledding - There's nothing like whooshing down a hill with the wind in your face. It makes you feel so alive. Climbing back up the hill is great exercise, too. Don't forget to sled in a safe area with adult supervision.

Don't have a sled? You can use a tube or a toboggan. Sometimes, you can get inflatable versions for a really good price that your parents will think is oh-so nice!

Ice skating - It's fun and fancy. You don't have to be Michelle Kwan or Sarah Hughes to have a blast gliding across the ice. There are outdoor ice rinks, and indoor ones, too. If you skate on a pond, make sure that the ice is thick enough and cold enough; otherwise, an accident could occur.

Make Snow Angels - I love this activity. You lie down in some newly-fallen, white snow. It's the soft kind, not too icy, of course. Move your arms and legs in and out, in and out. When you stand up, you'll see yourself in angel form.

Have a snowball fight - Snowballs are fun to make (and sometimes eat). Pack them pretty tightly for faster motion or softly so they'll fall apart before impact and make a pretty mess. Make sure you wear your gloves or mittens for this activity because your hands are bound to get chilly.