Winter is often a time when kids huddle in front of the TV or fire up a gaming console to avoid the bad weather. This is fine on the worst weather days when heading outdoors would be horrific, but there are plenty of days where the weather is fine and outdoor activities are fun.
If you are looking for reasons to encourage your kids to leave the video games and burn up some extra energy, here is a list of winter sports kids of all ages will enjoy.
Mountain Biking
With the right tires, mountain biking is something kids of all ages can do on any terrain, and in all weathers. Head out to your nearest national park and hit the trails on mountain bikes. These bikes are designed to cope with snow, ice, and all manner of rocks, gravel, and mud. As long as everyone dresses up warmly with insulated gloves and protective helmets, it will be a fun day out. Pack snacks and drinks in a rucksack for when you all get hungry.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is basically hiking in the snow. Unlike skiing, it doesn’t require any skill, just a pair of snowshoes. This means kids of all ages can have a go, although it can be quite hard work in deep, powdery snow, so don’t plan a long route for younger children. Try snowshoeing on a crisp winter’s day. Take the family out for a walk in nature and enjoy the scenery.
Sledding
Who doesn’t love sledding in the winter? Sledding is very much a fun family activity. All you need is a decent amount of compacted snow, a hill, and a sled. Cheap plastic sleds cost very little but the traditional wooden or metal and wood sleds are more robust and will last for many years. Head out to a snowy hill near your home and spend an enjoyable few hours tramping up and sledding down. Go home for mugs of steaming hot chocolate and cookies when your feet and hands begin to freeze.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is something the whole family can try if there is an ice rink nearby or a frozen pond that’s safe for skaters. Although this is a winter sport if you want to skate outdoors, most ice rinks are open all year round. It doesn’t take much to get the basics nailed, but if your kids decide ice skating is a sport that they want to take a bit further, why not pay for some lessons? If your kids are still quite young, read this blog post on how old do you have to be to ice skate.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is another fun indoor winter sport that is great for kids needed to expend some energy. Ice hockey usually takes place at ice rinks, so check if yours offers any introductory sessions. You might be able to book a family session – kids vs. parents on the rink is always fun.
Other winter sports kids will love include tubing, tobogganing, and glacier hiking.
