12 Days of Winter Fun Family Challenge

Get outside and play!

Did you know that the average American child spends as little as 30 minutes in unstructured outdoor play a day, whereas they spend 7 hours a day in front of screens? (Check out the National Wildlife Foundation’s Be Out There  fact sheet for more information).  Here at Avid4 Adventure, we are all about the power of getting outdoors – all year long and not just in the summer.  So, we thought we’d help families create an outdoor winter challenge that’s not only fun but also encourages getting outside and spending time on experiences together instead of getting too caught up in the season of presents.

So, what’s the challenge, you wonder?  Read on, and have a ball . . . a snowball that is!

What is the challenge?!

The challenge is simple: Spend 30 minutes (at least – more time is encouraged!) outside for 12 days.  It doesn’t have to be consecutive days either.  Just grab your family and head outdoors for fun.  Easy, right?

Track your time spent outdoors and submit to [email protected] to WIN an Avid4 Adventure T-shirt! *Read on for more information.

How do you get started?

Get every family member involved and excited in the Challenge – and make it your own. If your kiddos want to come up with a different name, go for it.  The Challenge is the same whether your family calls it The Great Family Igloo Escape, The Winter Wonderland Challenge or The Cabin Fever Breakout.

Download our Winter Challenge Infograph for ideas and to track your progress. Find it on our Pinterest page

Need some activity suggestions?

The idea is to get outdoors as a family, so do whatever you love to do.  If your family likes to take a hike on the weekend or try new things, like fat tire biking, that’s perfect!  Then again, head into the backyard for a snowball fight or a game of capture the snow flag.

Other possibilities include:

• Snowy (or just a regular outdoor) hike
• Snowman building contest
• Picnic in your local park
• Sledding race
• Bike race
• Ice Skating
• Scavenger hunt
• Freeze tag
• Snowshoe or hike in a local park
• Snow angel contest
• Take your dog on a long walk
• Ice Fishing
• Build a snow fort
• Name the constellations in the night sky
• Feed birds (and try to identify them!)
• Have a winter picnic!

The possibilities are limitless, so let your imagination go wild!  

How about a prize?

Sometimes, kids need incentives.  Oh, who am I kidding; adults do, too!  Bragging rights go a long way – especially during a long winter!  How about getting your kids to create a trophy that gets passed along each year?  

Maybe your family wants to let the winner of the Challenge choose a prize, so here are a few suggestions to get you thinking:

• A later bedtime
• A movie choice
• A favorite meal or an indoor picnic
• A hot cocoa tasting bar
• Get out of one chore
• Pick the next family outdoor activity

Don’t Forget: Track your progress & if your family gets outside for 30 minutes everyday for 12 days, you WIN an Avid4 Adventure T-shirt!*

*All you have to do is submit what you did, how long you were outside and a photo or two, and email [email protected] to receive your T-shirt!

Families are all about creating memories through shared experiences.  You know, the ones you’ll laugh about around the dinner table for years to come.  Whether you get wet from a snowball fight or laugh hysterically to the point of snorting when you fall off your sled, there will be no shortage of rosy cheeks and smiles.  Make the Challenge your own, and do what works for your family.  Just get outside together, have fun and take the Challenge!  Are you up for it?

Check out our other posts on ideas to get outside over the winter in both Colorado and California:

• Colorado
• California