Staying Active During Winter
If you’re not a winter person, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to stay motivated during the colder months, but it’s important for both adults and children to remain active even when the temperature drops. If your children need to burn off energy in winter, there are plenty of ways to keep them engaged. By exploring various indoor and outdoor activities, families can learn new skills, have fun together, and break away from screens.
The Value of Outdoor Living
In Norway, residents embrace the concept of friluftsliving (pronounced free-loofts-liv), which emphasizes living freely in the fresh air. This philosophy encourages outdoor engagement regardless of the weather, strengthening both mental and physical health. By actively participating in nature, families can benefit from a healthier and happier winter season.
Outdoor Activities When It Snows
- Have a snowball fight
- Build a snowman
- Shovel the snow around your house
- Take a walk in the falling snow
- Catch snowflakes on your tongue
- Ride a sled
- Hit the slopes
Outdoor Activities Without Snow
- Go ice skating
- Stargaze on clear nights
- Hike local trails
- Play hockey
- Attend a winter festival
- Practice friluftsliving and simply enjoy the outdoors
Indoor Activities for Cold Days
- Complete jigsaw puzzles
- Make hot drinks and enjoy them together
- Play games, dust off those board games or cards
- Cook a meal together
- Spring clean and donate or recycle unwanted items
- Exercise together as a family
- Watch and critique a favorite program together (but avoid making this your main activity)
- Try arts and crafts—make something fun, challenging, and useful
- Plant an indoor garden
- Visit a museum or indoor botanical garden
Other Enjoyable Winter Activities
Families can also chop wood, sit by a fire (indoors or outdoors), birdwatch, take a cooking class, or learn to knit or crochet. The main goal is to find activities that everyone enjoys and to keep the body active all year round. Share these ideas with others and continue discovering new ways to stay engaged with people and the outdoors, even when it’s cold outside.