{"id":976,"date":"2022-12-08T12:46:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T12:46:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-12-12T12:22:32","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T04:22:32","slug":"winter-outdoor-activities-to-do-with-your-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/winter-outdoor-activities-to-do-with-your-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Outdoor Activities To Do With Your Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Winter outdoor activities are a great way to enjoy the festive season and make the most out of the frosty weather. It might be cold outside, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should spend all your time indoors. In fact, it\u2019s not healthy to spend all your time indoors, because fresh outdoor air is good for you. <\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t assume there\u2019s nothing to do outside in the winter. It&#8217;s quite the opposite, and it could be argued that winter has some of the <em>best <\/em>outdoor activities and many advantages.<\/p>\n<p>Winter activities in the great outdoors are typically the most fun with some friends or family. While it can be nice to take some time for yourself, spending the winter outside with your friends is even better. If you\u2019re planning a meet-up but aren\u2019t quite sure what to do, we have you covered. Below, we have a guide to take you through some of the best winter adventures you can experience together.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"winter-outdoor-activities-to-try-with-friends\">Winter Outdoor Activities to Try with Friends<\/h3>\n<p>Winter has many negative connotations, and many people see it as a depressing time of year. It\u2019s understandable, as it gets darker earlier, and it\u2019s pretty cold most days. However, winter isn\u2019t all bad, and some <a target=\"_new0.08594816465484739\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/out-in-the-cold\&quot;" rel=\"noopener\">studies<\/a> show that the cold weather might even have some unique health benefits. <\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re looking for a few winter outdoor activities to enjoy with your friends, keep reading. Here are our favorite winter outdoor activities to try with friends:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_2022_12_Winter-Hiking.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"go-winter-hiking-or-snowshoeing\">Go Winter Hiking or Snowshoeing<\/h3>\n<p>Hiking in the winter can be absolutely beautiful as well as refreshing, and while it\u2019s one of the winter outdoor activities you need to make sure you are <a target=\"_new0.08594816465484739\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/top-safety-items-to-pack-for-a-winter-hike\/\&quot;" rel=\"noopener\">prepared<\/a> for, it can also be a lot of fun. The trails feel different in the winter. The silence is almost musical, and the world is entirely changed from the summer. It can be a truly tranquil experience, which is great if you need to reduce a little stress or anxiety. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The snow-capped trees and white \u2018winter wonderland\u2019 vibes while snowshoeing or winter hiking is a very peaceful and lovely experience. You\u2019re going to want to dress warm, don\u2019t forget the hat and gloves, and take lots of scenic pictures with your friends.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"go-sledding\">Go Sledding<\/h3>\n<p>This activity is a lot of fun, and you don\u2019t need any experience to get started. Just grab a sled and find a hill. You can go down solo or as a group; it depends on the size of your ride and how confident you feel about your steering abilities. Why not turn it up a notch and turn it into a sled race down the hill? A little healthy competition will have this turning into hours of fun.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/content_images_2022_12_Build-an-Igloo.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"build-an-igloo\">Build an Igloo<\/h3>\n<p>It has to be really cold for this, and it definitely takes some practice, but there\u2019s nothing to bond a group of friends quite like building an igloo. It\u2019s the kind of winter outdoor activity that tests your mettle and puts your construction skills to the test as you try to build a stable structure. <\/p>\n<p>However, once it\u2019s done, you end up with a surprisingly warm shelter where you and your friends can hang out. With a little bit of practice, you\u2019ll all be experts in igloo building and find yourselves with a little village of them.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"go-ice-skating\">Go Ice Skating<\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s nothing quite like taking to the ice, and while your first few times can be a little wobbly (and will end up with quite a few falls), you\u2019ll get the hang of it pretty quickly. Whether you go to a professional rink or a homemade one, it\u2019s one of those winter outdoor activities that was made to be enjoyed by friends. <\/p>\n<p>Grab your skates, but if you\u2019re skating on wild ice, make sure you stay safe and ensure that the ice is thick enough to hold your weight before you head out onto it.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"build-a-snowman\">Build a Snowman<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s a classic and certainly not one to be scoffed at. There\u2019s something to be said for constructing a snowman with friends. You can come up with all sorts of wild combinations (think tiny body, giant head), and you also get to have fun dressing it up once you\u2019ve built it. <\/p>\n<p>Building a snowman doesn\u2019t take a long time either, which makes it a good one to go for if it\u2019s extra cold or you don\u2019t have a lot of time. Who knows, you might even get your own rendition of The Snowman in your backyard this Christmas.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"battle-in-a-friendly-snowball-fight\">Battle in a Friendly Snowball Fight<\/h3>\n<p>You never grow out of a classic snowball fight, and there is very little that\u2019s more fun. Build your barricades and prepare your arsenal as you battle your friends for the title of master snowball thrower. It\u2019s one of those winter outdoor activities that can go on for a whole day, so you might want to bring some snacks and a thermos of hot chocolate for fuel. <\/p>\n<p>Want a tip for the best snowballs? The powdery snow is best because you can pack it tightly to form a firm snowball that won\u2019t explode before impact. Plus, you\u2019ll get a really good hit as a result. If you\u2019re a parent, you might find this a great activity to <a target=\"_new0.08594816465484739\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/fun-outdoor-winter-activities-for-kids-and-parents-to-enjoy-together\/\&quot;" rel=\"noopener\">enjoy with your kids<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"go-winter-camping\">Go Winter Camping<\/h3>\n<p>Some winter outdoor activities are for those who are feeling a little more on the wild side, and this is one of them. To go winter camping with your friends, you should have a little experience and ensure that you are properly prepared for extreme weather conditions. Safety is key, and that is especially true if you end up camping in the snow. <\/p>\n<p>Winter camping requires lugging a lot more gear since to camp safely in the winter requires more \u2018stuff\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>However, once you are out there, you\u2019re all going to have a great time. It\u2019s a bonding experience you won\u2019t forget, and marshmallows hit differently when they are roasted in the snow. A few days of winter camping can give you a whole new perspective on life.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"take-up-skiing-or-snowboarding\">Take up Skiing or Snowboarding<\/h3>\n<p>These sports are a lot of fun, but they can also be pretty risky, so make sure it\u2019s one you and your friends are all going to have fun with. If you&#8217;re all new, you can try taking group lessons to learn how to ski or snowboard, which is sure to lead to a lot of laughs. <\/p>\n<p>Hitting the slopes together can be a freeing experience and one that allows you to embrace the beauty of winter nature while also making awesome memories together.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"just-lay-in-the-snow-and-make-snow-angels\">Just Lay in the Snow and Make Snow Angels<\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes the simple things in life are the best ones. It\u2019s times like that where you just flop down in the snow, make a few snow angels, and just watch the sky while you talk about anything that comes to mind. The feeling of the cold snow slowly working through your coat, the smell of it in the air, the gray skies\u2026 there\u2019s something about it that\u2019s hard to describe. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s true, though. Sometimes we just need to lay in the snow together and be in the moment. This winter is the perfect opportunity for you and your friends to try just that.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n<p>Hopefully, this article has given you a few ideas for winter outdoor activities that you can try with your friends during the colder seasons. From snowmen to camping, the possibilities are endless. It all depends on what you and your friends like to do. Whatever you choose to try, we\u2019re sure you\u2019re going to have a great time. <\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re here, why not try a DNA test from <a target=\"_new0.08594816465484739\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=&amp;utm_format=&amp;utm_creator=&amp;utm_content=winter-outdoor-activities-to-do-with-your-friends\&quot;" rel=\"noopener\">CircleDNA<\/a>? The results show you everything from your ideal nutrition plan and disposition to illnesses all the way to the best sports and activities that suit your genetic makeup. It can definitely help you determine which winter outdoor activities are going to gel best with the way your body works. <\/p>\n<h3 id=\"references\">References:<\/h3>\n<p><!--kg-card-begin: markdown--><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Harvard, Out in the Cold:<br \/>\n<a target=\"_new0.08594816465484739\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/out-in-the-cold\&quot;" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/out-in-the-cold<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><!--kg-card-end: markdown--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Winter outdoor activities are a great way to enjoy the festive season and make the most out of the frosty weather. It might be cold outside, but&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":3341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10568,1],"tags":[5251,9791,6338,4741,9857],"class_list":["post-976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids","category-uncategorized-en","tag-activities","tag-friends-en","tag-outdoor","tag-us-uncategorized","tag-winter-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/976\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}