Fun, Simple, and COVID Safe Winter Activities
Similar to everything else during the COVID-19 pandemic, this winter season will be unique. As positive cases increase, government restrictions/regulations to avoid the rapid spread of the disease change; individuals should play their part to avoid spreading the virus as they attempt to stay healthy with the weather temperatures dropping significantly in most areas of the country.
While finding winter activities that bring you joy will become an increased challenge as it gets colder outside, a little creativity can go a long way in helping you find wonderful ways to enjoy the season and safely reconnect with others while social distancing. You might be wondering what we are supposed to do to keep ourselves and our families sane, entertained, and happy this winter and into early spring.
It is important to note while avoiding crowds is critical, we are not necessarily condemned to spend the winter season cooped up inside our homes with nothing to do. We’ve put together a list of great (and most importantly, safe) activities for you to enjoy with your family. We’ve included ideas for extreme weather days spent inside the home, along with some ideas for milder winter/spring days where the weather permits you to spend time outside exploring nature.
1. Go for a Hike
Hiking is an activity that you can enjoy year-round — it allows you to get some enjoyable exercise, vitamin D, and best of all, it helps you reconnect with nature. Get the family, and pets if you have them, together, bundle up (dressing weather appropriate is very important to both your health and comfort), and head to a local trail. Remember to maintain a safe distance from other hiking groups while COVID regulations are still in place.
If you need help locating a trail in your area, download the AllTrails app on your phone. If you have young children, you can use your hike as an educational experience by researching native plant and bird species in your area and identifying them together on your adventure.
2. Go Stargazing
Whether you live in a city or the countryside, you’ve likely taken a moment to stop to admire the sky at night. Why not get a little more intimate with the stars and learn a bit about them? Start by downloading a star chart online, turn off as many lights as you can inside/outside your home, and head to your backyard. If you live in a city and have safe access to a balcony or rooftop, you can do the same thing! Begin to spot the star formations in the sky with your loved ones. This can be another educational opportunity for everyone involved, and a way to appreciate the world we live in.
3. Build a Snowman or Make a Snow Angel
This snowy weather classic never gets old, especially for children. Even though the holiday season has passed, you’re still likely to get a handful of snow days, so be sure to take advantage. There are other snow activities you can participate in with the family to get outside and feel more active in your day-to-day.
4. Plan a Virtual Game Night
Most of us have a stack of board games in our closets that are waiting to be played in person, but a handful of our favorites can be modified for some virtual fun, without requiring everyone to be in the same room. This is a great way for the whole family, or anyone else you want to have a game night with, to enjoy some much needed social interaction. There are also free, fun games and activities online that can be enjoyed with the group you get together.
5. Donate Your Old Belongings
Get the whole family together to sort through your house to find items and clothing they no longer use and start a donation pile. You can take this opportunity to teach your children the importance of living modestly (for the benefit of our planet) and of being kind to others.
6. Start an Indoor Garden or Start Planning Your Outdoor One
Winter is the perfect time to start planning for your spring garden — you can find lots of useful information about what plants thrive in your area online. If you can’t wait to start gardening until spring, there are plenty of plants that you can grow inside during the winter. Planting a garden is something everyone should consider for a number of reasons. You will be able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables without a trip to the grocery store and without chemicals. You can also save some of the produce for the future, in jars or through canning, which is particularly useful during a pandemic.
We hope that these ideas have been useful and inspiring as you think of other eco-friendly and safe activities to help you and your family beat the winter blues this season. Another excellent way to feel satisfaction during the winter (and year-round for that matter) is to make choices daily that benefit the planet. Stick to the reduce, reuse, recycle rule, and be sure to look into how Kiwi Energy continues to offer innovative energy solutions to power your home.
