Being active outdoors during the winter months is a sign of self-care. And caring for the health of ourselves and our families must remain a high priority year round — especially when it can be set aside as the weather turns bad.
Two Bible verses talk about care in such a way that it connects you to the Creator.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This shows how and why we are created in Jesus Christ and that we are God’s handiwork. As such, it is our responsibility to make sure that we take care of ourselves in order to be of service to others, even during winter when everyone is still recovering from the holidays and find it easy to simply hibernate and do nothing.
Another Bible verse that applies is 1 Corinthians 3:16. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” For many Bible enthusiasts, this verse should be enough to push you to be active outdoors even in the wintertime.
With that in mind, what are some things that you can do to stay active outdoors during the less inviting months of the year? Let’s look at some ideas that can inspire you and your family.
Schedule your activity.
The first thing is to schedule your activity. Look at weather patterns and the times that will be the best for you to go outside and engage in the activity that you have scheduled for the day. Also, match this with the level of activity that you and your children are wanting to do outside even if it is really cold.
When you schedule your activity you can pre-choose the things that you want to do either individually or as a couple or with your children. This way there is no confusion or hesitation in trying to decide.
Try simply walking.
You can plan to simply walk either on a path, a trail or just around your backyard if the weather is really bad. Some people tend to forget that walking by themselves is a very beneficial activity almost everyone can do in winter. There is no fuss and there is no need for you to spend money on equipment. Walking can help you stay in shape, get fresh air, enjoy a bit of sunshine, and enjoy the wonders of nature with a grateful heart — all beneficial to your physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Be with your family or a friend.
A great way for you to stay motivated would be to do outdoor activities during winter with your family or with a friend.
Not only will you have someone to talk with, but having someone that you can be accountable to will help you to properly do all of the things that you need to do while at the same time putting them and their needs into consideration.
Outdoor winter activities ideas
There are some activities that you can only do in winter with your family or with a special person in your life. Here are some ideas to pursue.
With Your Children
With your children, you can do the following activities:
- Build a snowman or snow fort
- Go on a winter photoshoot or scavenger hunt
- Go winter camping as a family and learn survival skills
- Have a snowball throwing contest
There are a lot of cost-effective activities that you can do outside with your children. You can simply build a snowman or snow port in the backyard or have a snowball toss at some targets. Parents sometimes forget that their children need to create positive winter memories. You do so by simply providing your children with activities that they can do at home and without costing you a lot of money and time.
With A Friend Or A Group Of Friends
With a friend or a group of friends, you can do the following activities:
- Ice fishing
- Ice skating
- Ice hockey
- Sledding
- Snow tubing
- Snowshoeing
With friends, you can create wonderful memories along with great photos to share with relatives, which can inspire others to get outdoors in winter. Even adult children can enjoy ice fishing or snow tubing or other activities that can only be done during the winter.
With Someone Special
With someone special in your life, you can do the following activities:
- Stargazing
- Feeding the birds
- Leaf, seed pod, and berry collecting
- Take a winter walk
The things you can do with someone special during the winter may not seem that active, but they are. The easy and meaningful activities above can create that special bond with your spouse or special friend while at the same time enjoying the health benefits of doing things outdoors. The best part about these activities is that you do not need to spend a lot of money doing them.
Active Outdoor Activities Are Fun With The Family
Whether it is winter or summer or any other season you have a chance to be active outdoors and spend time either alone or with some of the people you love. You should always look out for activities that will nourish your mind and your body while being grateful to our Creator God.
Read about other activities in Creation Illustrated — a nature journal for the whole family. Keep in mind that outdoor activities should be fun and full of energy so you will be inspired to keep doing something every day.
