Activities

7 ways to keep moving this winter

January 23, 2023

There is a reason bears hibernate in winter. It’s COLD, sometimes, it is wet, icy, and COLD. Did I mention the COLD? While it is easy to slip into the thought of a warm hibernation once the cold hits, I love the challenge of coming up with fun ways to keep myself and my family active during the winter months.

Let the seven S’s below help you stay super active this winter.

Sledding

  • When I was a kid, our hill in our backyard was actually more of a bump. But that didn’t stop us from having a blast with a sled when we got some snow. 
  • Make that bump bigger by piling on more snow. 
  • No sled, no problem – cardboard makes a decent substitute or use a summer inflatable tube. 
  • Have races up and down the hill. Time each other to see how long it takes to not only get down the newly created track but also to run back up the hill to the starting line.

Shovel Snow

  • Shoveling Snow – This is a great opportunity to not only get some physical activity but also help your neighbor or your parents clear their walkways or driveways.     
  • Build a snow maze – If you have a yard you can create the maze in your yard. If you live in the city and have a shovel, go to a local park to create a maze. Once the maze is created you can time yourself to see how fast you can get through it.

Lastly, the snow shovel can be used to create a BOKS Burst. Here is a sample of a Shovel Burst:

  • 10 squats while holding the shovel with your arms stretched out in front of you.
  • 10 jumps back and forth over the shovel.
  • 10 shovel movements as if you are shoveling snow in one direction.
  • 10 shovel movements in the other direction.

Snow play

  • Build a snow fort – see how many rooms and tunnels your snow fort can have.
  • Color the Snow – Mix a little tempura paint or food coloring with water in a spray bottle, squeeze bottle or use a paintbrush. 
  • Snow Art – make and paint a fun drawing.

Snowballs

  • Create a target to practice your throwing.
  • See how high you can pile snowballs in a minute. The highest pile wins.
  • Snowball toss game with friends/family. See how far apart you can get while tossing the snowball back and forth.

Skating

  • Find a local pond or ice rink.
  • Lace up your skates and get moving.

Snowga

  • If the weather is pleasant outside, how about some snowga? Try doing your yoga poses outside in the snow.

Snow gems

  • Materials: a bag of small balloons, food coloring, water.
  • Fill balloons up with tap water like you would a water balloon–make it between the size of an avocado and a small grapefruit.
  • Squirt in food coloring. TIP: Don’t shake or mix–that way you get clear and colored parts that look incredible.
  • Freeze either outside (weather permitting) or in your freezer overnight.
  • Peel off the outer latex and quickly have everyone admire the amazing snow gems.

Be creative, have fun and get active! 

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Article written by Heather Chase, BOKS

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