Parents everywhere rue the approaching winter. Just when the pandemic fatigue reached unbearable levels, the cold arrived — along with a new slew of germs and reasons to stay inside. There is such a thing as too much family togetherness.  

Beat cabin fever by getting your kids outside and moving in the fresh air despite the temperatures. The following nine safe outdoor winter activities for the family will help you make the most of the season.

1. Barbecuing 

Even though National Barbecue Month falls in May, there’s no need to put away your grill when temperatures drop. You can still enjoy some socially distant fun with your neighbors by pulling it around out front. Plus, hello, smoked Thanksgiving turkey!  

Make your barbecue more successful by setting up socially distant games for the kids. Cornhole is a wise choice — contestants can use individual, distinctly colored bags to avoid cross-contamination. Send out evites on a platform such as Nextdoor to let others know to join in the weekend fun.

2. Outdoor Movie Night 

Drive-in theaters saw a resurgence with COVID-19, but you can bring the big screen home with an outdoor movie night. You can often rent projectors from your local library. Then, you only need to find a “screen” on a wall where you won’t risk staring into the sunset as it sinks behind the horizon.  

You can invite guests if you keep the seating strategically placed six feet apart. Provide an ample stash of blankets and plenty of patio heaters. Mix up a bunch of your family’s favorite snacks and invite guests to BYOB.

3. Going to the Park

Your public playground probably becomes a bit of a ghost town this time of year. Take advantage of the diminished activity for safe, outdoor fun. 

You can play games like Simon Says and Mother, May I, even with others since they encourage keeping a safe distance. When you have the haven to yourself, why not a game of Hens and Chicks or Spud? Of course, if you have the equipment free, let your juniors ride the slide to their heart’s content while you sneak in an upper-body workout by doing pullups on the monkey bars.

4. Hiking 

Hiking is a fabulous way to introduce your children to the wonders of nature. According to Kathryn Stevenson, an environmental education researcher from North Carolina State University’s Department of Parks, kids who spend time in nature are more likely to protect the environment as adults.  

Therefore, if you want to address ongoing climate change, get your kids moving on the trail. Start easy, but remember, most children take naturally to skills like bouldering — challenge them when they get bored. You’ll both achieve peak fitness, and they may make exercise a lifelong habit.

5. Building a Snowman 

“Do you wanna build a snowman?” Well, if you want to get your kids to stop singing “Let It Go,” or at least let nature dampen the volume a bit, you do.  

Why not go beyond your standard buttons and top hat? If you are in for a long cold snap, sculpt a representation of your whole family dressed accordingly. It’s like putting stick figure stickers on your vehicle, only it doubles as holiday decor.

6. Frisbee Golf 

While you can’t play regular golf in the snow — unless you want to have some real fun trying to locate your ball in a snowdrift — frisbee golf translates perfectly to winter climates. The brightly colored disks rest atop the white stuff.  

All you need is a large open area, a collection of disks and something to serve as baskets. While you can find professional courses, you can also use any open field or green belt. Hello, social distancing.

7. Obstacle Course  

Snow is Mother Nature’s ultimate toy. Why would you keep otherwise healthy kids indoors when she brings it out to play? 

If life gives you blizzards, build an obstacle course. You can create tunnels for crawling through and mountains to climb. If you have a passel of children, include a spot where the contestant has to dash through an onslaught of sibling snowballs.

8. Snow-Shoeing 

Do you want to blast your hamstrings and quadriceps? Your 6-year-old might not share the same fitness goals, but they can have a blast snowshoeing with you.  

The skill is easy to acquire, although you might need to go wider if you have a naturally narrow gait. Once you get the knack, you can explore your winter wonderland without getting your feet hopelessly damp and frozen in minutes.  

You’ll become the envy of the neighborhood when folks watch you from their windows. Once more people join in on the craze, you can socialize safely with neighbors — from across the street.

9. Volunteering 

Individuals with health conditions that cause mobility challenges now face two problems. They need to brave the grocery store’s germ risk, plus they have to shovel their driveway first.  

Why don’t you and the kids lend a hand if you have the physical ability? You’ll get better acquainted with your neighbors from a safe distance. Plus, you’ll instill the spirit of altruism in your children, and grateful recipients might slip them a bit of cash for a treat when you hit the grocers.

Keep Moving This Winter With These Safe Outdoor Winter Activities for the Family 

If you already have cabin fever, there’s no need to dread the coming cold season. Use these nine outdoor winter activities tips to keep yourself and your family safe and moving this winter.