4 Ways to Have Family Fun this Winter

It’s cold, it’s dark and we’re all back to navigating work and school, which can make winter seem a whole lot longer. But the fun doesn’t have to stop when the temps start to plummet! A winter advent calendar, full of surprises and activities that the whole family can do together could be just what you need to get through the season, and we have some great ideas!

Embrace It

This year when the temperature drops, make the decision to embrace winter. Instead of hibernating indoors, start exploring areas around your city that you normally wouldn’t go to. Going on day hikes and getting fresh air is a great way to get invigorated while making fun memories at the same time!

Then, after your day exploring, head into the kitchen and cook up some comfort food like beef stew or chili — what’s better than that on a cold day? Get your teen involved, too, because it’s very important to teach your teens how to cook. And, if you crank the music and give them a job, it is a great way to get them talking!

But remember, after a day of exploring and before you start cooking, don’t forget to wash up, because let’s face it — COVID-19 isn’t over. It’s still vital to keep washing our hands, so why not use a good antibacterial hand soap? Our personal favourite is this limited-edition foaming hand wash from Dial. It’s tough on bacteria, while being gentle on our hands. It comes in fun, festive packaging, so it looks nice on your kitchen (and bathroom) counter, but it also smells amazing because it comes in scents like Fireside Crackle, Ice Crystals and Midnight Toast.

Dial’s limited-edition, festive body washes also come in three great scents — Glacial Breeze, Sugar Shack and Sugared Plum — making them the perfect stocking stuffer for your family this year!

You can pick up all of these holiday-themed items for a limited time at Walmart or Loblaws.

Crank the competition

Nothing gets you more heated on a cold winter’s day than a good ol’ fashioned family game night! Nintendo Switch is perfect for family’s game night because you can play it at home on the TV, which is great for multi-player games or, of course, you can use it in hand-held mode as well. They also just launched the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, which features a 7-inch OLED screen. Plus the family of systems has new games like Mario Party Superstars, which is a superstar collection of classic Mario Party boards and minigames, perfect for playing with family and friends. You can even expand your family game night to family members living in other cities or provinces by using the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. Also, if you’re looking for a solo adventure, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl are launching on November 19 – there’s a lot of fun to be had!

Get Reading

On those dreary cold days, reading all about the out-of-this world, wonderful things people do in the New Guinness World Records 2022 Edition is a quick pick-me-up. You can learn everything from fantastical adventures like the first expedition to reach the South Pole to out-of-this-world talents like a dog & cat who can ride on a scooter together. It’s true! Their names are Lollipop and Sashimi and they are an adorable Canadian duo who hold the Guinness World Records title for fastest 5m on scooter by a dog and cat (pair) at an incredible 4.37 seconds. The book is also jam-packed with 12 exciting chapters that transport you to a world through the eyes of explorers and innovators. Another fun addition to the book is virtual visits with museums and parks so we can explore all these different cultural sites like the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller Alberta from the comfort of our couch!

Get Decorating

Lastly, a fun activity that you can do together is a quick room refresh. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to make a big difference and Bed, Bath & Beyond is the perfect go-to for all home accessories. This season, they have launched some great lines like Wild Sage, Our Table and Stuido 3B. Your teen will love to pick out their accent colours and decor and it can be a little project that the two of you can do together. You can shop in stores, online or do curbside pickup, which is super convenient.