Baby, It's Cold Outside: Four Fun Outdoor Activities for Winter!



image courtesy of TinaPhillips/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Remember the magic of the first big snowfall from childhood? Heck, remember the excitement of any decent snow accumulation?! What is it that makes a cold, snowy day so uniquely exciting? Maybe it's all the fun things you can do in the cold, snowy weather that can't be done any other time during the year! After all, the snow and biting cold definitely provide an opportunity to create fabulous sweet treats and a rare opportunity to seemingly "freeze time!" So gear up and get ready to head out into the cold snowy weather and make some fun with these ideas that we love:

Embrace Your Inner Candyman!  If your kids are familiar with the Little House on the Prairie series (or even if they're not) making candy from snow and maple syrup is a must try!  The best recipe I've found for this particular activity can be found here.

Create Frozen Sweet Creaminess!  If you haven't tried Snow Ice Cream, you haven't lived!  Simple recipe below: 

You will need:

8-10 cups of fresh, clean, snow (no yellow snow!)
1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Scoop snow into a large bowl. 

2. Pour condensed milk and vanilla over snow and mix well.

3. Serve immediately!

Freeze Time!  Think bubbles are the domain of Spring and Summer?  Think again! Grab that bubble solution and a bubble wand and head out on those bitter cold days (try to avoid windy days!) and blow some bubbles that will blow your kids' minds!  Watch in awe as the bubbles harden and solidify before they hit the ground - seemingly defying the passage of time!

Colorful, Chilly Scavenger Hunt: Freeze food-colored water in several colors (in ice cube molds or in balloons!) and hide in the snow - send kids on a scavenger hunt - the one who finds the most colored cubes or globes wins!

So next time the forecast calls for snow, bundle up and head on out for some magic that can only be made with the help of Mother Nature's snowy, cold goodness!

Safe and happy adventuring!

-Destination Mom