Family Activities That Will Keep You All Moving During Winter

Guess what, guys? There's a long weekend around the corner for most of us (sorry WA and Queensland), and before too long it will be school holidays again. That means more free time with the kids. Keeping them occupied can be a real challenge sometimes, but fear not, because we’ve got some active winter activities that will thrill the whole family. 

This is the simplest solution but it's one most kids love. Pack a ball and participate in some family sports time. Hopefully, this will get the entire family’s hearts racing. If your kids prefer the playground equipment, see if you can (safely) get involved. We're sure that pushing the swing repeatedly will provide some exercise for your arms. 

Even though the weather is getting colder, conditions are still pretty good for hiking. Try to find a trail that suits your entire family’s fitness and be prepared for some mild whining. Look for an area with clean air and stunning views and, if you’re feeling up to it, pack a picnic lunch. 

Cool mornings call for hot breakfasts. So why not get the kids up, take them down the road to your local café and have a hearty meal? For an extra health kick, make sure there are a decent number of steps between your place and the café while also ensuring that everybody eats something nutritious and low in fat. 

Nothing says "wholesome family bonding" quite like planting flowers and weeding. As we alluded to in our article on incidental exercise, gardening involves a lot of lifting and dragging, and should give you and the family a pretty solid workout. Likewise, you could encourage the kids to plant some vegetables. This could ultimately encourage healthy eating habits. 

Don’t have a garden to potter around in? No worries. Have you ever considered fruit picking? Going out and picking fruit provides youngsters and parents with plenty of fresh air and exercise. Likewise, you’ll get to keep the fruit you pick, and the cost is less than you’d pay at the supermarket.  

If you’re up for some ‘mental exercise’ alongside your physical exercise, you could encourage your young ones to participate in mindful exercises, by quietly appreciating the sounds of a waterfall, feeling the grass, and breathing in the fresh air. 

Get those bicycles out of the garage and hit the pavement! Not only is bike riding an enjoyable and relaxing activity for kids and adults alike, but the constant activity should also ensure that everybody stays warm. If you’ve got a busy weekend ahead of you, try to integrate the bike ride into your travel plans by making it your primary mode of transportation.

This one comes from left field, but we reckon it’s a winner. If your kids have a lot of energy, perhaps it’s worth setting up an obstacle course around the house or garden. You can lay out several different household items for them to jump over, climb under and run around. While we think it’s probably safer to do it outside, you could also try inside as well — just make sure everyone is careful around Mum’s antique vase!

Have the winter rains started lashing your area? No worries, just because you’re stuck inside doesn’t mean you can’t exercise with the kids. As we mentioned in a previous piece, there are plenty of video games on the market that will allow you to work on your fitness. Likewise, there are a few multiplayer options that you can play at home with the kids to ensure that you get a proper workout. Try Family Trainer, Just Dance and Switch Sports.