After an incredibly challenging year, many of us were looking forward to holiday traditions to provide some sense of “normal” back into our lives. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen in 2020. Instead, we need to get creative. For our family, I take pleasure in the joy of my young grandchildren, at an age where most things are a wonder and a delight.
This year, instead of our usual gathering, we have planned a series of outdoor events to have a bit of fun. This means multiple, short get togethers, hosted outdoors and spread out over the holidays. Each of us will plan an event, that includes family fun for all ages, individual snacks, and a surprise at each event. Whatever you decide to do, follow the COVID protocols of your region. Wear a mask, stay safe and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some ideas we have:
- Hike a nature trail together – look for signs of wildlife or identify how the plants change in winter
- Plan a family car parade to view the local drive through light displays, or areas beautifully decorated
- Backyard campfire (if you have a fire pit) – bring and make your own smores
- Build a snowman – my family love to compete, so this will have added points for props and creativity
- Make snow pictures – fill spray bottles with children’s paint and water, laydown sticks as picture frames and each paint a snow picture – or if there is no snow, the lawn will work
- Back yard fun – get out the summer bubbles on a cold day, blow and watch them freeze
- Make snow angels and add a name to each angel in spray paint
- Build a snow maze or a snow fort in the back yard – use cake pans and muffin tins as snow molds
- Plan a winter picnic – each family brings a blanket or lawn chair and a basket of picnic their own food
- Have a scavenger hunt in the snow – hide small parcels or treats labeled with the family names
- Make colored ice cubes and add them to your snow designs – if no snow build this on the lawn
- Make feeders for birds and wildlife – cover pinecones in peanut butter, roll in birdseed, hang outside
- Plan a hockey, soccer, or football game – make new rules for the little ones to join in
- Go skating together
- Rent/borrow/buy snowshoes and tramp through the woods
- Go tobogganing, or bring out the summer wagons for a walk in the neighborhood
- Plan a relay outdoors, around the house and yard – each person takes part putting on a holiday apron, oven mitts and a hat – run to the next station. At this point, the next person to go, picks up different gear; adults help their own children in this activity
- String popcorn and cranberries to hang in the yard for the birds or wildlife – darning needs work well when wearing mittens
- Thread pipe cleaners with cheerios, cranberries or cherries for the birds or wildlife. Bend into shapes to hang in the trees.
- Collect rocks and paint with messages of cheer. Walk the neighborhood or woods and place the rocks
The blessings of COVID are that we need to look deeper for ways to celebrate the love of family. Rather than watching each other open presents this year, we need to watch the faces of joy and laughter as we take time to experience each other’s company in the most basic way. We welcome your ideas for outdoor family fun.
