One of the things I love most about winter break is the way it gives my family the chance to really appreciate all the fun winter has to offer. Too often, we tend to hide away indoors when snowy weather arrives instead of embracing the opportunities that winter brings. But this year, Babybel is making winter cool for kids with an amazing contest that could let you enjoy winter to its fullest with your whole family! Looking for activities could fill your winter break days? Here’s my collection of top ideas for both indoor and outdoor fun, plus more info about the amazing Babybel contest!
Outdoors
1) Have a Winter Bonfire
There’s no need to save that fire pit in your backyard for summer! Fill a thermos with hot chocolate, grab a bag of marshmallows and bundle up for some fun around the fire! If you thought a gooey roasted marshmallow was good in the summer heat, wait until you try one on a crisp winter’s day!
2) Build a Quincy
This classic twist on a traditional snow fort is so warm that you can actually sleep in it! Making one takes time and lots of snow, but really couldn’t be easier. Just pile snow into as large of a mound as possible. Let it sit for a few days so the outer layer hardens, then hollow out the inside to create a cozy fort for cold days. Don’t forget to poke an air hole in the top when you’re done!
3) Go on a Nature Hike
Winter can be a great time to learn more about nature! Wait until after a new snowfall and then head out to look for animal tracks. Let the kids guess what kind of animal made each set of prints, and point out the differences between the different types of tracks you find. You’ll be amazed by just how many animals are out and about in the winter months.
Indoors
1) Visit an Animal Shelter
Just like any pet, animals in a shelter often don’t get to play outside as much when the weather gets cold. And that means they’ll be especially excited to have visitors come play with them for a few hours! Whether you take a few dogs out for a walk or just sit and play with the cats for an hour or two, the furry friends are sure to appreciate the attention!
2) Try a New Recipe
Learning to cook is such a useful skill for children! Pick a kid-friendly recipe that your family can whip up together, and let them get their hands dirty in the kitchen. Try something sweet and winter-themed like snow ice cream or get a little more complicated with a hearty winter warmer like homemade chili. No matter what you cook up as a family, kids love eating food they helped to make!
3) Make a Cool Craft
If the weather’s too cold to head outdoors, why not create a craft that will help local wildlife make it through those chilly winter days in comfort? Make simple waste-free bird feeders by spreading peanut butter or lard on a pinecone and rolling it in birdseed. Or string pieces of popped popcorn, cranberries and whole-grain cereal onto string for an outdoor tree garland that’s as pretty as it is delicious!
If you’d love to surprise your kids with the ultimate winter break experience, you’re in luck! Babybel is offering one lucky Canadian child the chance to enjoy a weekend getaway in the Babybel Epic Cabin with his or her family and friends (up to ten people)! The fun will be nonstop on this getaway packed with activities that kids of all ages can enjoy. To enter to win, visit www.epiccabin.ca today! But that’s not all! To help you enjoy your own winter fun, click the graphic below to download a fun printable calendar with my ideas for every day of the week.
No matter what types of activities we’ve planned for our winter days, Babybel cheese is always our snack of choice. The boys love how much fun the snack is to eat, and I love that it’s made with real, natural ingredients to help fuel their fun. With protein, calcium and essential nutrients, it’s a great choice for active kids. Check out the new varieties, including Gouda, Cheddar and Swiss, in stores now and make sure you enter to win a weekend getaway that your kids will never forget!
Doris Calvert says
Entered thank you and you have a great list
kristen visser says
I actually have never had a winter bonfire before!! I am totally missing out
Heather Cameron says
Great ideas! Thank you!
Kristy R says
Bonfire! My kids love doing this. One of the benefits of country life is that we can whenever we want (unless there’s a fire ban like there was ALL last summer!)
Kathryn says
YES! And that’s the advantage of a winter one – no risk of a fire ban! Lol
Lisa Ferris says
Sounds like you know how to embrace our winters 🙂 It’s the only way to get through them with a smile on your face 🙂
Treen Goodwin says
Love the ideas , i want to have a winter bonfire now , that would be awesome , thanks for sharing 🙂
Stephanie LaPlante says
Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing. I absolutely love bonfires but never thought to have one in the winter. I’m definitely curious now.
Alison Braidwood says
I do like the idea of a winter bonfire. It’s often too buggy in the summer to enjoy one here (northern Ontario).
Lynda Cook says
Winter fires are awesome, especially cooking over one!!
Carole D. says
We love to go at the pounds and they have fire pit set up there and you can cook wienners. It ‘s fun!
Cheryl says
Some great ideas! I love the one on making a fort 🙂
Melanie Eh says
Some great ideas! Not sure about the quincy, though! It goes against every warning my Mom ever gave me about not bulding a “snow fort”! 😉
Kathryn says
Haha they’re actually surprisingly sturdy and strong when built correctly. But of course, adult supervision is a must for things like this!
Gord says
If I could just hibernate all winter long that would be the best. I do have a fire pit in the backyard, perhaps a bonfire in the winter will help me with this time of year.
DENISE LOW says
We have never thought of a winter bonfire. Sounds good to me.
kathy downey says
We do love a winter bonfire and living in a small town we see a few each winter
Judy Cowan says
Great ideas! We do love Babybel as a treat 🙂
beth says
were hoping to maybe head to muskoka area for family day ! Its such a gorgeous place !
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Some great ideas gathered together here. I do miss winter bonfires, we always had huge ones for Guy Fawkes night (Nov 5th) where we kids would spend days gathering wood for the fire. It was great fun but I believe it’s all very organised these days.
Ashley Nemeth says
Great ideas!! Can’t wait till my son is a littler older and we can do some of these things 🙂
nicolthepickle says
A winter Bonfire sounds so cool. I’ve never done that.
caryn s says
Great ideas for having winter fun for the whole family!
Sherry K says
Good ideas. I find if we just put our warm clothes on get outside, we will have fun.
Karla Sceviour says
Great ideas! I love winter bonfires!
Shirley S says
I love all those ideas! A winter bonfire sounds great!
Kim K says
I love doing crafts with my granddaughter during the winter time.
Krista M says
Winter bonfires are our favorite. So cozy, such a great way for the family to come together & beat the winter blues!
Debbie S. says
I will try blowing bubbles with the grandkids tomorrow outside, sounds fun!
Sharon says
Great ideas to beat the winter blues!
Anne Taylor says
What a great list of different activities! Thanks!