Country Fun Recreation in Cold Weather

Country Fun Recreation in Cold Weather

Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt

Get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter with an outdoor scavenger hunt. Give each person a list of items to find and gather from around the property.

For some friendly competition, award prizes or bragging rights to whoever finds and brings back the most items.

Here are some ideas for winter-themed items to include:

• Animal tracks in the snow – look for deer, rabbit, bear and bird prints.

• Pinecones.

• Icicles hanging from tree branches or rocks.

• Different types of tree bark and needles.

• Winter berries, like holly or hawthorn berries.

Make a Snow Maze

Making a snow maze is a unique and creative outdoor activity that everyone can enjoy.

Here’ s how:

• Choose a large, relatively flat area on your acreage for the maze. For added fun, task family and friends with creating their own.

• Mark a“ start line” and shuffle your feet through the snow to create paths. Alternatively, you can use a shovel.

• As you work, add twists, turns, dead ends and obstacles to make the maze more challenging.

• Mark the endpoint as a“ finish line.”

• Take turns navigating each other’ s mazes.

Light Up Your Acreage With Swedish Snow Lanterns( aka Snolykta)

In Swedish culture, it’ s tradition to line your property with snow lanterns, also known as snolykta, to usher in winter. These hollow cones are made of tightly packed snowballs and lit with tea lights from within. Offering a cozy glistening feature across your acreage.

How to light up your property with Swedish snow lanterns:

• Pack some snow into tight snowballs. Make plenty of them if you plan to build several snow lanterns.

• On the ground, arrange the snowballs in a circle to form a base.

• Continue stacking the snowballs in a circular pattern, gradually working inward to create a pyramid-like shape at about waist height.

• Leave a small opening at the top of the pyramid to add tea lights.

• Once the sun goes down, light the tea lights. Then, close off the snow lanterns with a few more snowballs.

• Enjoy the glow!

Go Ice Fishing

Fishing isn’ t just for the warm months. In fact, ice fishing is a popular sport when the outside temps drop below freezing.

If you have a body of water on your acreage – a stocked pond, river or lake – and you enjoy fishing, then this might be something you should add to your winter bucket list. To do so, drill or cut a hole, about 6 to 12 inches in diameter through the ice to access the water. Set a fishing pole and wait for the fish to“ bite.”

Walleye, trout and perch are popular winter fish species for ice fishing.

Go Sledding or Snowshoeing

Sledding and snowshoeing on a large acreage are adventurous and fun activities to explore and enjoy the snow. Connect with nature by trekking across the land or sledding into a pile of snow.

Sledding

Spend some time walking around the acreage to identify a good slope or sledding hill. Bundle everyone up and head out for a day of sledding, squeals and fun.

Tip: Repurpose items hanging around the property into snow sleds. For example, old kayaks, car hoods, tires and other large rideable items work well.

Snowshoeing

Create custom trails for snowshoeing through scenic spots across your property; include wooded areas, open fields, hill climbs and more.

Tip: For beginners, trek across flat terrain, working your way up to hills and other advanced trails.

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Winter Wildlife Watching

Set up feeding stations around your acreage to attract birds and deer for observation. Get the whole family involved by looking for tracks the animals leave behind in the snow— it’ s a fun and educational way to explore nature together.

Build an Outdoor Fire Pit or Bonfire

Gather with friends and family around the warmth of an outdoor fire pit or bonfire to make lasting winter memories. Share stories, roast marshmallows and sip from a thermos of hot chocolate or spiced cider. Cozy up with warm blankets and enjoy an evening together.

Winter Foraging

When the temperature drops below 30 degrees outside, bundle up and head out for a seasonal foraging adventure. Depending on where you live, wild winter edibles will vary.

Be on the lookout for:

• Winter fruits like crabapples, rosehips, hawthorn berries, chokeberries, cranberries and even grapes.

• Nuts, seeds and acorns.

• Tree bark, sap and needles. Pine needles, for example, can be gathered and made into a nutritious tea.

• Mushrooms, such as turkey tail, oyster and chaga.

• Live near the ocean? Forage sea edibles like kelp and seaweed.

Note: Before and during foraging, it’ s important to do your research and exercise caution. Carrying a forager’ s guide can help you identify safe and non-toxic plants.

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