FAMILY FUN IN WINTER

Wrap up warm and head out into the fresh air for some exhilarating family adventures...

It’s cold outside but don’t let that stop you – there are plenty of adventures to be had as a family.

Winter can be a tricky time for getting outside as a family. The lure of the warm and cosy indoors can easily win out over the great outdoors. As a parent it can be hard to overcome the inevitable objections and think up new ways to enthuse the kids. But once you’re out there, it’s always worth it.

Younger children are usually the easiest to convince – perhaps with a treasure hunt, or a trip to the beach with buckets and spades. When they’re older, you may need to become more inventive, but with the right approach and the promise of some exciting adventures, the whole family can reap the rewards of being outside together. We’ve tried to make getting outdoors a habit; a family adventure, however small, an important part of each day. Start early if you can – kids tend to be more open to new experiences in the morning, and it avoids the pitfalls of tiredness and hunger later on.

Family days out in winter are the best time to visit places that would be busy in summer. It doesn’t always rain either – those crisp, clear days when the sun sparkles through the frost are pure magic. There’s something incredibly joyful about returning home after a day spent outdoors, too. The fire seems cosier, supper tastes better, bedtimes are easier, and there are plenty of shared experiences to talk and laugh about. So don’t be put off by a bit of wild weather – get out there and have fun in it. With a little planning, some careful packing, and the decision to make that first giant step through the door, there’s a whole world of brilliant family adventures waiting to be found.

1. SNOW STRUCTURES

Trample out a snow maze for children to explore, or with younger children, simply pull them around a small obstacle course in a sledge. Most kids can’t wait to get outside into the white stuff – it’s the perfect setting for hours of imaginative play. Why not go sledging, make a snow sculpture or build a snowball target range?

2. PUDDLE JUMPS

When the weather turns wild, just embrace it. Get everyone dressed up in waterproofs and go puddle-jumping – leaping between pockets of water – or mud-sliding. Let the wind blow you around, feel the rain and hailstones on your skin and catch snowflakes on your tongue. And then, of course, run inside to warm up with hot chocolate.

3. PICNIC ON THE BEACH

Wrap up warm, pack a waterproof picnic blanket and head to the beach for lunch and tea brewed over a driftwood fire. Beaches are fantastic for winter days out, and off season you may get one all to yourselves. How about creating a sand-art masterpiece or seeing how many sandcastles you can build in a row? The sea is often more exciting in winter, too. Try skimming stones across the water, racing the incoming waves or exploring rockpools at low tide. Remember to check tide times and weather conditions in advance and always supervise children playing in and around water.

4. TRACKING ANIMALS

Mud and snow can make it easier to see the tracks left by wild animals. Look for hoof- and paw-prints and see if you can identify the creatures that made them, and how far you can follow them. Many animals hibernate over the winter months, but there are still plenty to be found. Keep an eye out for signs of badgers, squirrels, deer, ponies and foxes. As well as tracks, you might find droppings or the leftovers from dinner – squirrels leave empty nut shells, deer strip the bark from trees and the skin from conkers, and owls leave pellets of anything they can’t digest.

5. TREE CLIMBING

Tree climbing is a great way to get up close to our impressive trees, feel the different textures of their bark, move through the branches and watch the leaves change from bright green and freshly unfurled in springtime through the leaf-filled canopies of summer and the blazing colours of autumn. It’s a difference experience after the leaves have fallen in winter, leaving just the bare boughs. It’s easier to see where you’re going and a great way to find a new vantage point to admire the winter scenery. Do keep a watchful eye on young climbers and be ready to leap into action if you hear the cry “I’m stuck!”

6. WINTER WALKS

Simply going for a winter wander can be lots of fun and a great learning experience. It’s important to allow younger kids to go at their own pace and explore along the way – try to be patient when poking the same bit of mud with a stick takes half an hour. Encourage walking but be ready to carry them, too – we’ll often take a sling to pop our youngest into once he’s tired. Older children like a walk to have a purpose so this is a great time to start teaching them basic navigation. Try following a waymarked route or have a go at geocaching.