Be a Sport This Winter
Do you live in an area where it snows? If you do, you probably know how much fun it can be outside during the winter.
This week, The Mini Page looks at some winter sports that can keep you active even when winter winds blow.
Ice skating
For hundreds of years, people have eagerly awaited cold weather, when rivers and ponds finally freeze solid enough to skate on.
Today, your community might have outdoor and indoor skating rinks. But you may be able to skate on a country pond just as people used to do.
Don’t know how to ice skate? Take a lesson! And make sure you’re skating safely:
• Be sure to wear a helmet and mittens, which will protect your head and hands if you fall on the ice.
• If you are skating on naturally frozen water, be sure the ice is thick enough all over. Lakes, rivers and ponds could have areas with thin ice. Always check with adults before skating. Do not skate by yourself.
Take a hike
One of the most pleasant winter outdoor activities is walking or hiking.
This gives you a chance to enjoy the nature surrounding you. The sparkly snow and ice can make the scenery especially beautiful in the winter.
If there is a lot of snow, snowshoes can make your hike much easier. Experts say it’s easy to learn to snowshoe. You just need to walk with your legs spread apart a little wider.
The wide, flat snowshoes help walkers balance on top of the snow rather than sinking. Poles may help snowshoers keep their balance.
Sledding and tubing
It’s a thrill to ride down a big hill on a sled or inner tube, and you don’t need much special equipment. But it’s still important to be safe.
Be aware of the land under the snow. Injuries can happen when people run into a tree near the path or over rocks or other obstacles. Creeks and roads can be at the bottom of many sledding hills.