As adults, it can sometimes be hard to embrace the wonders of winter, as we go to work and then come home in complete darkness, and fret about the heating bills or finishing off our Christmas shopping.
However, for our little ones, winter is something magical; a season laced with enchantment and delight.
Children find it easy to embrace the cold and the darkness, as they eagerly anticipate the delights of Christmas morning and the prospect of spending evenings watching cosy festive films and eating a whole box of mince pies.
Of course, there is so much more to winter than Santa Claus and figgy pudding.
The truth is, winter provides the opportunity to embark on some unforgettable adventures that you simply can’t enjoy during the sizzling summer months, particularly if you head overseas.
From skiing and snowboarding to learning how to create the perfect snow angel – or even an igloo! – there are so many thrilling activities you can savour together as a family. For example, why not try…
A European Skiing Adventure?
Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports of all time, and for good reason.
Although it may be a little tricky to master in the beginning, once you have conquered the gentle gradient of the nursery slopes, there’s nothing quite like the exhilaration of gliding down a gleaming snowy piste in the Alpine sunlight.
Not sure where to book your perfect skiing break? Finding the ideal location won’t be difficult, although you may have some initial trouble choosing between the various stunning mountain resorts.
From the glinting peaks of the French Alps to the frost-rimed slopes of Finland, there is an abundance of well-priced ski holidays to choose from, whether you prefer to stay in a hotel or a self-catering chalet.
Check out Skiline to compare prices and destinations, and find the perfect ski holiday for your family.
Whichever destination you choose, there’s no doubt that Europe’s ski resorts will offer you and your kids the chance to experience a true winter wonderland.
Spend your days gliding down the slopes side by side, and your evenings enjoying the twinkling lights and delicious delicacies of your chosen resort – from authentic Swiss fondue to thick and creamy hot chocolate, or perhaps even a glass of Finnish kilju, made with sugar and yeast.
Husky Sledding In The Tatra Mountains?
If your kids adore the Disney film, Balto, imagine the excitement on their faces when you tell them they can have the chance to become mushers themselves.
In Slovakia’s majestic Tatra Mountains, there are a number of tour operators providing husky sledding experiences suitable for anyone aged between 2 and 92.
Running from December through to March, these sledding adventures teach you the fundamentals of handling a sled and controlling your team of dogs as you skim across the snow, along winding forest trails and over snow-covered mountain meadows.
When you first arrive, you will become acquainted with your dog team, learning their names as well as their unique personalities and sled-pulling talents.
An experienced local musher will then show you the basics of sled handling – and then, before you know it, you’re off, drawn by your eager dog team over carefully chosen routes that allow you to experience an authentic mushing experience.
Visiting The Fjords That Inspired ‘Frozen’?
While you may have grown tired of the Frozen mania that ensued following the release of the first movie in 2013, you should still jump at the opportunity to explore the awe-inspiring locations that inspired the film.
From ithe magical city of Arendelle to the icy mountains where Elsa made her retreat, and even the home of the trolls, so many of Frozen’s locations were inspired by real places.
To begin your Disney extravaganza, you can book your family onto a dedicated Frozen tour of Norway.
Alternatively, you can hire a car and travel around the country under your own steam, exploring the various aspects of Norwegian culture and landscape that were depicted in the movies.
Along the way, one of your first stops should definitely be Bergen, which was a major influence on Disney’s Arendelle.
Surrounded by the country’s breath-taking fjords, Bergen offers an enchanting blend of metropolitan city living and rustic charm.
Keen to soak up some authentic Norwegian folklore? The country is home to various fascinating folk museums, many of them open to the elements.
Packed with enthralling exhibits of art, handicrafts, traditional costumes and so much more, these museums offer a compelling deep-dive into many of the customs featured in Frozen.
On your Norwegian winter adventure, you should also dedicate some time to exploring the frosty North, home to the Sami people – whose rich culture was a major inspiration for Frozen 2.
The Sami’s traditional music may also be familiar to you from the opening song of the first Frozen film.
For an authentic Sami experience, you can go reindeer sledding, sleep in a traditional lavvo tent, and sample an array of traditional dishes. And, of course, you can always build a snowman!
Savouring Festive Treats At A Christmas Market?
Not all wintry adventures need to be enjoyed overseas. There are plenty of festive activities and events that you can experience right here in the UK – whether it’s visiting a Christmas tree farm to choose the perfect tree, or wrapping up warm and heading off to soak up the sights, sounds, smells, and delightfully festive atmosphere of a Christmas market.
From Edinburgh to Manchester to Bath, there are plenty of magical markets to visit during the holiday season. Offering a selection of thrilling fairground rides as well as an abundance of stalls selling gifts, handicrafts, stocking fillers, and locally sourced foods and drinks, each market provides a vibrant setting for feasting, shopping, and enjoying plenty of Christmas fun as a family.
Of course, while Christmas markets have been a keystone of German culture for many years now, in the UK they are a much more recent addition.
However, that hasn’t stopped us from embracing them with enthusiasm, and giving them our own homespun twist. Which market will you and your family visit this year?
Reconnect With Nature?
Winter may seem like a barren time of year, compared to the fecund season of spring, and high summer with its abundance of birds and other wildlife.
However, the colder months provide plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature and even do some good along the way.
For example, if you have been blessed with a white Christmas this year, why not don your warmest clothes and head out to your local park or woodland?
You can spend an enjoyable hour or two searching for and identifying animal tracks in the snow. You never know what evidence of wildlife you may find, from a fox’s dog-like print to the three-toed marks left behind by birds.
For something more creative, you can make a scavenger hunt part of your woodland explorations, gathering any unusual stones, leaves, or moss you might find.
Take them home, clean them off, and create your own winter-themed nature table. You can even use sprays of wintry twigs and berries to weave a seasonal wreath for your front door, although you should be careful to identify the berries that you pick to make sure none are poisonous.
Last but not least, if you are keen to provide a winter sanctuary for your local wildlife, install a hedgehog hotel in your garden and collect some pine cones to make peanut butter bird feeders to help our feathered friends find enough food to stay warm throughout the coldest months.