Another challenging year is almost behind us. Many of us were looking forward to getting back to some of the holiday traditions that we might have missed last year. We may still need to get creative in how we gather, so here are some ideas to help you fill your holiday season with outdoor joy.
- Hike a nature trail together – create a scavenger hunt of outdoor items to look for.
- Plan a family car parade to view the local drive-through light displays, or areas beautifully decorated
- Create holiday window scenes for neighbours to enjoy.
- 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 neighbourhood
- 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 needles 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.
We welcome your ideas for outdoor family fun! Share with us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter what activities you will be taking part in this holiday. Even in these challenging times, we can find ways to be creative and celebrate the love of family. The look of joy and laughter on the faces of our loved ones is priceless. Stay safe, be well and find moments of magic this holiday season.
