Getting outside in the winter is one of the simplest ways to support your body and your kids’ nervous systems. Natural light helps regulate circadian rhythm and sleep, cold fresh air increases alertness, and moving over snow and uneven terrain stimulates balance, coordination, and proprioception. Even short bursts of outdoor time can improve mood, focus, and overall regulation. Our bodies are designed for seasonal variability — not constant indoor comfort.
This is one of the reasons we participate in the 1000 Hours Outside challenge — a global movement encouraging families to spend 1,000 hours outside each year in an effort to balance the amount of time kids spend indoors and on screens. It’s not about perfection. It’s about awareness and intention. For our family, it’s been a simple but powerful motivator to prioritize time outdoors, even in the colder months.
Having said that, it can be a challenge to find ways to enjoy the outdoors in the colder temperatures. If you’re wondering what to actually do outside in the winter, here are simple, low-pressure ideas we’ve personally tried and genuinely enjoy:
Sledding at a local hill (or building a jump)
Ice skating (outdoor rink or pond)
Building snow forts or snow sculptures
Winter hikes or nature walks
Tracking animal footprints in the snow
Snow painting (spray bottles + water with food coloring)
Backyard obstacle courses in the snow
Collecting pinecones, sticks, or winter nature treasures
Snowball target practice
A neighborhood walk followed by warm drinks at home
Making balloon icicles
Skiing or snowboarding
It doesn’t have to be elaborate — it just has to get you outside.
The key isn’t doing it perfectly — it’s just getting out there. Bundle up, lower the bar, and let winter become part of your rhythm instead of something to avoid. That steady exposure to light, fresh air, and natural movement gives your nervous system the input it’s designed for — building resilience in both kids and adults, one simple outing at a time.
Good luck — and enjoy the fresh air!
Hilary Boucher
Hilary lives in Collingwood, Ontario with her husband and children. When she's not assisting her clients, Hilary loves spending time in Northern Ontario with friends and family. Hilary offers a variety of manual and movement services, courses, and continued education geared towards the ever-expanding minds and life-long students.