The year's first snowfall ushers in a season of exciting and enjoyable activities for the whole family. Most TV and magazine ads feature young adults enjoying a challenging mountain ski course, but you don't have to be young or on skis to have fun in the snow. Winter offers a wealth of opportunities for family togetherness. Here's a list of some snow activities that are great for any age.
- Snowman building contests. The goal is to form teams who compete to be the first to build and decorate a 5 foot snowman. Mix the teams so that the youngest children are paired with teenagers and adults. The more people that are involved, the better! Call the grandparents, nieces, uncles and even the family next door. You can have as many teams as you want, and you can make any rules you want. For instance, make the first round a race to make a happy snowman, then a sad snowman, then a snow dog. It's all up to you.
- Snowball throwing contests. We're not talking about good old fashioned snowball fights those will break out spontaneously whenever you mix people and snow. We're suggesting a marksmanship contest. Create a bull's eye in the snow using food coloring and water. Then make flags with different point totals for each concentric circle. Each contestant gets 10 snowballs. The younger the person, the closer they get to stand to the target.
- Snowboarding. Racing down snowy inclines will energize children of all ages. Find a nearby hill and organize your own family Olympics. Younger children can team with someone older to make a team. While you're doing this, take the opportunity to teach the youngest kids safe snowboarding techniques and don't forget your helmets.
- Ski lessons. Speaking of teaching the kids, every child, sooner or later, will want to learn to ski. When you feel they're ready, get them their own skis and create a nearby bunny slope –– even if the first one is only a mound of snow in the backyard. Slowly build their self–confidence while you enjoy quality family time.
- Snow forts. There’s nothing a child enjoys more than building a fort. Usually, forts are made out of cardboard and scraps of wood –– either in the backyard, a wooded area or up in a tree. But winter gives them the opportunity to make that fort (or igloo) out of snow. In just a few hours of shoveling and molding, you and your children will have created an “ice fortress” good for days of play and adventure.
- Snow zoos. Anyone can build a snowman, so the challenge is to build your own family snow zoo. As a start, try an alligator or a turtle (because of their simple shapes,) and work your way up to more complex creatures. Since your zoo may last for a while, build a snow fence, snow bridges, snow trees and anything else you think would fit in your zoo.
- Snow baseball. Mark off 3 bases and a pitcher’s mound. Then make a tin can pyramid on each base. Everyone has to stand on the mound and try to knock down each stack with a snowball. Of course, let the smallest children stand closer. The one who uses the least snowballs is the winner.
Not only do these games get you and your family outside, they are also great physical activities to get your heart rate up. Keeping yourself healthy is a great way to keep your health insurance rates low. If you have made major changes in your health recently, use NetQuote to find a local agent who can find a policy that’s right for you.
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