When the weather outside turns cold, family time can easily hibernate until the weather warms up again. Even though the public pools are closed, and it is too uncomfortably cold outside to ride bikes or go for a walk in the park, it does not have to mean an end to quality family time. Finding activities that the whole family can enjoy does not have to be expensive, either. With a little creativity, family activities in the winter months can be inexpensive and fun.
Ice Skating
Check to see if your local ice rink has free skate times or special family nights. Many outdoor public skating areas are free and have affordable skate rentals. If you plan on ice skating frequently, it may be worth the investment to purchase ice skates for each family member. Determine how often you will be going to ice skate each month. Next, determine what the anticipated cost of renting skates would be for the whole month. Try purchasing the ice skates at what it could cost to rent the skates for a month, or less.
Family Cooking and Baking
The best food tastes even better when it is made with lots of love. Getting everyone into the warmth of the kitchen is a great alternative to gathering around the TV. Find free recipes online, and plan a complete meal together--from appetizer to dessert. Not only will everyone have fun staying warm in the kitchen and cooking delicious dishes, but you won't have to worry about what to eat at the end of the activity.
Indoor Gaming
Have a game night where everyone can play his favorite indoor game or learn a new one. A few decks of playing cards are inexpensive. Have card game tournaments and use sweet treats for prizes. Dust off the board games that have not been played in awhile. Take the time to clean out the ones that are not being used anymore and decide if your family would like to keep them or donate them. Decide on a budget for replacement games; look in the weekly sales ads to find good deals on board games that the family is interested in playing.
Movie Night At Home
A night at the movie theater can be an expensive outing for the family. Instead of spending money on tickets and overpriced popcorn, get a few good films, and buy popcorn and snacks at reasonable prices.
Read Together
Winter is a perfect time of year to foster a love of reading throughout the whole family. An excellent way to make reading a fun activity is by reading the same story together. Get several copies of a book from the library and take turns reading the story aloud. Consider choosing a play and giving each family member a part to read aloud and act out. However, everyone does not have to read the same book to enjoy reading together. Let each family member choose his own book. Gather together in a warm part of your home and enjoy the time.