When we first moved to Canada, we were amazed by the snow, and very quickly became acquainted with frost bite, frozen eyelashes and all sorts of other classic Canadiana childhood moments. 25 years later, we haven’t lost our love of this magical season.
And 25 years later, I still hold to the philosophy that if you are going to live in a country where winter runs from October to May (we had snow in September this year) – well, you might as well learn to love it, right?
I bring to you a list of really fun things to do as a family in winter.
First, go on a Christmas decoration hunt! Print off this PDF I made for you and have the kids cross off each item when they see it! We grab hot chocolates (and peppermint mochas for the parents of course) and it’s a fun evening!
Pick up some toboggans and google toboggan hills in your area. In Calgary check out the brilliant toboggan ‘bowl’ in Mapleridge, just off Acadia Drive. In Canmore, the toboggan hill at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
Watch the Grinch (Jim Carrey version) and have popcorn doused in butter. Or, grab a bag of that DELICIOUS Boom-Chicka-Pop peppermint popcorn. Don’t forget to put mint lindtor chocolates in the freezer. A christmas classic!
Play Christmas light bingo. Grab a happy meal, and drive around locating different christmas lights and decorations.
Try making Maple Taffy in the snow.
Build a Gingerbread House
Make Christmas ornaments with supplies from the loonie store – pipe cleaner christmas ornaments with beads strung on them, popsicle stick snowflakes with jewels stuck on, there are so many options!
Bake some cupcakes or cookies, have the kids decorate them and take them to an elderly neighbour.
In Calgary, go skating on Bowness Lagoon (North), Olympic Oval (Central) or Spruce Meadows (South) – feeling ambitous? Skate on Grotto pond just before Canmore.
Make a bird feeder with a pinecone, honey and wild bird seeds. Even better, in Calgary go to Fish Creek and find the chickadees. Curious, friendly and very happy to flitter onto your arm.
Print off 12 days of kindness cards and divvy among the family. Each day, a family member does something kind, writes it on the back of their card, and puts it into a kindness jar. It is a lovely ritual to read all of them out.
Make hot mulled wine, and go out for a winter walk with it in your coffee mug (not for the kids lol)
Have a winter time charcuterie picnic. Ice wine, cheese, bread, crackers, meats and some nice dried fruits. Don’t forget the blanket and snow pants 🙂
Fill squirt bottles with food colouring, and set up snow in a container for the kids to colour. They can also ‘colour’ their snowmen.
Make Poppycock and then try not to eat it all.
Visit Santa at the shopping centre. In Calgary, you can decorate a gingerbread cookie and watch a disney movie as well!
Write letters to Santa, go on a forest walk and hang them in the tree. Replace them with Candy Canes so that the kids find them on the return walk.
Make Pinecone christmas ornaments with glitter glue and sequins, tie with a twine and hang in the tree.
Go outside with a black cloth and look at snowflakes up close.
Sleep under the christmas tree!
Have a family photo shoot – in the winter!
Make an extravagant breakfast. Waffles, pancakes, fruit – or perhaps german style with fresh bread, meats and cheeses.
Take ALL of the pillows off the couches and make the best.pillow.fort.ever.
Get walnuts and a nut cracker (for the older kids) and consume half your body weight in nuts by the end of the night.
Make a frame out of twigs in the snow and make a scene using twigs, berries, pine cones, leaves, etc.
Attend an event where carols are sung.
Make smores on a fire pit or in your own living room. Another option: Roast Chestnuts.
Go to the library and pick up winter and christmas books.
Mix up and sprinkle “Reindeer dust” on the snow on Christmas eve.
Dance to christmas songs
Watch Home Alone, of course!
