Winter’s stillness is a counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the year and gives us a chance to slow down. The chilly season offers us a great opportunity to press “pause” and enjoy some electronic free family time. To help you out with your planning, dsm4kids has put together some simple, accessible ideas for engaging, offline family fun.
Looking for even more ideas for winter time family fun? Check out our Event Calendar and Winter Fun Guide.
Here’s a few unplugged winter family time activity ideas:
Unplugged Winter Outdoor Activity – Winter Stargazing
Because winter nights are long, dark and often clear, it’s a great time for stargazing. And, you don’t need a telescope! Start out by staring up at the night sky with your naked eye. If you’d like a little bit of a boost, bring along some binoculars, if you have them. The Des Moines Astronomical Society has put together some astronomy tips for families.
Winter Stargazing Supplies:
- Appropriate clothing for the weather
- A picnic blanket or other outdoor blanket for the ground
- A dark, ideally moonless, night
- An area free of direct light pollution
- Star charts or a stargazing app
- Thermos full of a warm drink (see below)
Winter Recipe to Make as a Family – Chai Tea Mix
A warm beverage always hits the spot on a cold winter day or night. This chai tea mix pulls together several spices, that make this flavor-packed drink a mugful of cozy.
Chai Tea Mix Ingredients
- 2 ½ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. ground cloves
- ¾ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea or decaffeinated instant tea
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 cup powdered nondairy creamer
- 1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered nondairy creamer
Chai Tea Mix Directions
Combine spices and tea in a food processor or blender. Blend one to two minutes or until mixture becomes a fine powder. Pour into a large bowl. Add sugar to food processor or blender (without cleaning it) and process until superfine about 30 seconds. Add sugar to bowl of spices. Stir in milk powder and creamers, blend well. Transfer to storage container.
To serve, stir two heaping tablespoons Chai Tea Mix into a mug of hot water or milk.
Family Friendly Winter Craft Idea – Pinecone Bird Feeders
Spread a little love to our feathered friends this winter by making pinecone bird feeders. This is a super simple and family friendly craft that provides the birds with some much need winter sustenance. It’s also fun to watch as birds flock to the seed studded peanut butter treats.
Pine Cone Bird Feeder Supplies
- Outdoor tablecloth or drop cloth (optional but nice to have)
- 2 cups birdseed of your choice
- Baking pan with tall sides (cake pan)
- Scissors
- Yarn or twine
- 4 medium to large pinecones
- Butter knives (one per person)
- ½ cup no sugar added peanut butter
Pine Cone Bird Feeder Directions
- Set up your craft station in a place that’s easy to clean. If desired, spread the table with a washable tablecloth that you don’t mind getting peanut butter on.
- Pour the birdseed into a baking pan and set aside.
- Cut a piece of yarn for each pinecone that is about one foot long. Wrap the center of the string around one end of the pinecone, working it through the scales toward the core.
- Knot the string to secure it and then knot the two tail together to form a loop. Give your loop a tug to make sure it will hold.
- Using your butter knife, spread peanut butter onto the pinecone, working it between the scales. Coat your pinecone completely, avoiding the yarn loop the best you can.
- When you are satisfied with your coverage, pop your pinecone into the tray of birdseed.
- This is a good time to pause your work to wash and dry your hands well. Roll your pinecone around in the pan pressing the seeds into the gaps between the cone scales. Keep rolling and pressing until you are satisfied with your seed coverage. There will be a few gaps, it doesn’t’ have to be perfect.
- Hang your bird feeder outside a window. (An area out of direct sunlight is ideal, but not necessary.) It may take a few days to a week for the birds to find your feeders.
What unplugged activities does your family enjoy doing together during the winter season?
