Another year has flown by faster than Santa’s sleigh and Christmas will soon be upon us. Expect port, cheese, copious feasting and drinking to match, with a side order of misbehavior at the office party. Most of all though, Christmas is about the kids. It’s a magical time for children, with an abundance of activities to enjoy, but fun in winter shouldn’t be confined to festive frolics. It’s not just for Christmas, as the old saying goes. Indeed, there are plenty of other interesting activities — from kid’s paintball to hiking — for your children to embrace over the coming months. So, here are 5 unique outdoor activities IDEAL for kids this winter.
Snow Days
Although a ‘white Christmas’ is a rarity for many people living in the UK, every so often – and much to the chagrin of the bookmakers – it does happen; you should take full advantage of the occasion, especially if you have little ones who need entertaining. Snow definitely adds a sense of magic to the festive season, but more importantly, it gives you the opportunity to spend the day sledding and rallying the troops for epic snowball fights.
If you have children that are yet to experience a day of snow, then it will undoubtedly be a an occasion they will never forget, and one that will stick in your mind as a parent. So, get out there; hatted, gloved, camera and sled ready.
One final word: if there’s enough snow, don’t forget to bring a few things to make a snowman. A carrot, scarf, twigs and a few stones should do the job nicely!
Winter Picnics
An average winter will include lots of time being wrapped up warm, sat in front of the fire with a piping hot cup of tea, and that’s great, but there’s no reason not to do those same things outside once in awhile. Granted, you‘ll probably need a few more layers and a decent supply of food and hot drinks, but a winter picnic will give you the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy your local surroundings with a winter aesthetic as magical backdrop. The perfect winter picnic takes planning, but the rewards are worth the effort, especially if you can find a picnic spot with a view. Don’t forget the mince pies and gingerbread men, a winter picnic wouldn’t be the same without these festive treats.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is available all year round at an indoor rink, but there’s something completely unique and exciting about using one of the outdoor rinks that appear during wintertime. The combination of Christmas lights, decorations and your children’s excited faces as they glide across the ice makes the falls, bumps and bruises worth it.
Winter sees outdoor rinks cropping up all across the U.K, with cities such as London boasting some absolute gems with regards to location and aesthetic. It’s likely that you’ll be able to find multiple places to ice skate near you this winter, but if not, it’s a great excuse for a quick trip to the capital for a memorable day out.
Kid’s Paintball
If there isn’t enough snow for a snowball fight this year, an exciting day of junior paintball is the perfect alternative for your children. It’s a brilliant treat for them during winter, as it gives them good reason to enjoy the great outdoors, get some exercise and immerse themselves in a unique activity that’s unlike any other.
Kids paintball is a safer, more reassuring alternative to the adult version in that it uses low-power guns to ensure that participants are safe at all times. It’s also a great opportunity for your children to learn and develop team tactics, as the activity emphasises the benefits of teamwork and communication.
Hiking
Rallying the troops for a winter hike gives you the chance to take in some local scenery, spend quality time with your family, burn off some Christmas calories and have an exciting day that costs next to nothing — or nothing at all, in fact! Living in the UK, we’re lucky enough to have an abundance of beautiful rural locations, charming towns and coastal paths that are all worth exploring. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there!
