{"id":6304,"date":"2023-12-15T08:08:12","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T08:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/?p=6304"},"modified":"2023-12-14T16:58:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T16:58:32","slug":"winter-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/winter-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Activities The Family Can Enjoy This Holiday Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-activities.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>The holidays are all about spending quality time together with family, friends, and lots of great food. But after a few days of holiday festivities, getting outside for a winter adventure may be just what your family needs! Here are some great outdoor options you might want to try.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ice Skating <\/strong><br \/>\nIt\u2019s a classic winter activity everyone can take part in. Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourismbarrie.com\/do\/winter-activities\/Skating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local outdoor rinks<\/a> where you can skate together. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fridayharbour.com\/winter-activities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Skate Escape<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fridayharbour.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Friday Harbour Resort<\/a> is a highlight of the winter season, with entertainment and warm beverages to enjoy while you\u2019re skating. If you\u2019re looking for something different this year, Toronto\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/thebentway.ca\/event\/winter-skating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bentway Skate Trail<\/a> is a 220-metre figure-eight loop that explores the forgotten land beneath the Gardiner Expressway.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6313\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6313\" class=\"wp-image-6313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Skating.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6313\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A family skate is always in order<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Building Snowmen<\/strong><br \/>\nLet your creativity flow with snow sculpting! Building snowmen can be a lot of fun and can turn into a mini family competition. We even found some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.countrylife.co.uk\/out-and-about\/how-to-build-the-perfect-snowman-250974\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tips<\/a> to give you a head start, or if you feeling really ambitious check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/cottagelife.com\/outdoors\/13-incredible-snow-sculptures-from-around-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amazing designs<\/a> from around the world!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6314\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6314\" class=\"wp-image-6314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/build-a-snowman-1.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6314\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Building anything in the snow, whether it&#8217;s a fort or a person, can be tons of fun<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Winter Nature Walks<\/strong><br \/>\nGo for walks in nearby parks or nature trails and take in the winter scenery. Our Allegro community in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aurora.ca\/en\/recreation-arts-and-culture\/trail-system.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aurora, <\/a>and our new Clarehaven Estates in North&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pickering.ca\/en\/discovering\/trails.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pickering<\/a>&nbsp;are close to many well-maintained trails to enjoy in the winter. Look for wildlife or interesting natural features, you can turn it into a game with <a href=\"https:\/\/naturelover.ca\/winter-outdoor-bingo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Winter Outdoor Bingo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6311\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6311\" class=\"wp-image-6311\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hike.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6311\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There&#8217;s just something magical about a walk when it&#8217;s snowing<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Sledding or Tobogganing<\/strong><br \/>\nFind a nearby hill and bring sleds or toboggans for a day of classic, old school fun. Be sure everyone wears a helmet and you\u2019ve got somewhere warm to meet up at the end of the day. Barrie\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skisnowvalley.com\/plan-your-trip\/tubing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Snow Valley Resort, <\/a>just minutes from Midhurst Valley,&nbsp;offers snow tubing for those who want to give that a try.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6306\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6306\" class=\"wp-image-6306\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/snow-valley-resort.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo from Snow Valley Resort<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Cross-Country Skiing<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you have access to ski trails, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelawaits.com\/2559222\/cross-country-ski-tips-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cross-country skiing<\/a> is an excellent family activity. It&#8217;s relatively easy to learn and a fantastic workout. Here are some of the best trails in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/canada\/ontario\/barrie\/cross-country-skiing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barrie area<\/a>, ranging from beginner to more challenging.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6308\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6308\" class=\"wp-image-6308\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cross-country-skiing.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6308\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cross Country Skiing is good exercise and easy to learn<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Charity or Volunteering<\/strong><br \/>\nEmbrace the spirit of giving by participating in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/volunteering-in-your-community\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">charitable activities<\/a>, both indoors and out, collect donations, or participate in a charity run\/walk. Food banks are always in need of supplies at this time of year so check out <a href=\"https:\/\/foodbankscanada.ca\/how-you-can-help\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Food Banks Canada<\/a> to see how you can help.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6312\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6312\" class=\"wp-image-6312\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/food-drive.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6312\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Take some time to volunteer over the holidays<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Holiday Light Tours<\/strong><br \/>\nExplore neighbourhoods with holiday decorations. Or visit one of the many holiday light events in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourismbarrie.com\/festivals-events\/holiday-events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barrie<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aurora.ca\/en\/recreation-arts-and-culture\/deck-the-halls-tour.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aurora<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/letstalkpickering.ca\/neighbourhoodlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pickering<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6310\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6310\" class=\"wp-image-6310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/winter-lights.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">So many beautiful lights everywhere you look<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Holiday Events In Your Area<\/strong><br \/>\nFrom the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedistillerywintervillage.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Distillery Winter Village<\/a> in Toronto to local arts and crafts shows and outdoor shopping, there are lots of fun things to do near you.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_6309\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6309\" class=\"wp-image-6309\" src=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events-605x400.jpg 605w, https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/community-events.jpg 1750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-6309\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Find something close by and make the most of it<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Choose activities that suit your family&#8217;s interests. Remember to dress warmly, wear appropriate winter gear, and prioritize safety, especially if it involves being on ice or in snowy conditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The holidays are all about spending quality time together with family, friends, and lots of great food. But after a few days of holiday festivities, getting outside for a winter <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/winter-activities\/\">READ MORE ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6305,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,546,11,189,8,547],"tags":[635,549,937,231,1092,1069,295,147,133,916,550,940,368,326,935,1093],"class_list":["post-6304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-geranium","category-aurora","category-community","category-midhurst","category-outdoor-living","category-pickering","tag-allegro","tag-aurora","tag-barrie","tag-christmas","tag-clarehaven-estates","tag-claremont","tag-family","tag-friday-harbour","tag-holidays","tag-midhurst-valley","tag-pickering","tag-skiing","tag-snow","tag-winter","tag-winter-activities","tag-winter-events"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6304"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6316,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6304\/revisions\/6316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.geranium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}