45 Things to Do this Winter Season

February 2014

Post by Mariah Gleason, Biophilic Cities Project Researcher and GIS Analyst

Mariah is a master’s candidate in Urban & Environmental Planning at the University of Virginia.

Many times in biophilic media we only look at the spring and summer versions of nature, when plants are in full, radiant bloom and waterways course regally through a landscape, but does that mean that we can only be biophilic confederates when the weather is “nice”?

HECK NO! Biophilic adventures can happen any month of the year – including the winter months. To demonstrate this, we’ve searched through dozens of “things to do” lists to compile this master list of things to do this winter season.

Hope you enjoy!

1. Embark on a winter photo expedition

2. Sketch outdoors

3. Have a winter picnic

4. Feed the birds

5. Go horseback riding

6. Play flashlight tag

7. Grab a GPS unit and go geocaching

8. Hit the slopes for skiing/snowboarding/tubing

9. Go snowmobiling

10. Play hockey

11. Hit the rink or a thoroughly frozen pond for ice skating

12. Make land art in the woods by placing natural materials in interesting shapes and patterns

13. Search for animal tracks

14. Weave a wreath out of pines, vines, and other plant objects

15. Match fallen leaves to their trees and find out the name/species of the tree

16. Go skeet shooting or visit a target range

17. Take a hunting trip (for those of you who are meat-eaters)

18. Go winter camping

19. Rent a cabin

20. Go Hiking

21. Build your own bows and arrows using fallen branches and twigs

22. Collect pine cones

23. Paint on leaves and rocks

24. Have a bonfire

25. Go ice fishing

26. Dive in for a polar bear swim

27. Blow bubbles and watch them turn to ice!

28. Mix food coloring with water and freeze it into bricks for a colored igloo, or other shapes like an outdoor candle jar

29. Make colored ice cubes to hide around the yard for a makeshift scavenger hunt

30. Mix food coloring and water in a spray bottle to snow paint your lawn!

31. “Snow roll” the biggest snowball

32. Go SLEDDING!

33. Make snow angels

34. Build a snowman

35. Or an igloo!

36. Mold imaginative snow/ice sculptures

37. Start a snowball fight

38. …And maybe build a fort to hide behind

39. Break out the cross-country skis

40. Take a sleigh ride

41. Watch or partake in a dogsled race

42. Go snowshoeing

43. Relax in an outdoor hot tub

44. Use snow for snow cones

45. Make snow ice cream – have no fear, Paula Deen has a recipe (5 star rating!)

Before setting off on your winter biophilic adventure, take a minute to make sure you are adequately dressed and prepared. If you aren’t, you probably won’t be staying outside very long. Happy adventuring!