Outdoor Winter Activities by Ashley Tarrolly

Chilly nights, crisp mornings, extra blankets, hot coco, and of course, Netflix. Binge watching Friends is sometimes nice and relaxing, but eventually your bag of chips will run out and you will have to get up. Instead of going to grab another bag of chips and starting the next season of Friends, try going outside for a change!

If you are unsure of things to do and you are trying to use that as an excuse, that will no longer work because I am providing you a list of outdoor winter time activities and where you can do them:

1. Sled at Calvary Hill

2. Downhill ski or snowboard at Powder Ridge

3. Have a snowball fight (if you are or aren’t too fond of your neighbor, this is a good one)

4. Ice skate and play pond hockey at Lake George (wait until you know it is safe to be on the ice...if you do not wait, you may experience the Polar Plunge - another winter outdoor activity - whether you want to or not! Make sure the ice is deep enough to skate on for your safety)

5. Build a snow fort in your backyard

6. Ice fish... this is the land of 10,000 lakes so I am sure you can find a spot

7. Snowshoe in any Minnesota State Park or in the Big Woods near Oak Hill Elementary

8. Build a snowman in your backyard

9. Help shovel for your parents or your neighbor

If you just really do not enjoy being bundled up out in the cold, there are other things you can do inside too! Here are some ideas:

1. Read a good book by the fireplace

2. Do a puzzle

3. Make cookies and hot chocolate

4. Make a gingerbread house

5. Play board games with your friends or family

Winter can feel like a long drag, but there are many ways to make the most of it and enjoy it! I hope these few of many ideas few winter activities inspire you to turn off the TV and get outside or spend some time with the people you love.