Tag Archive for 'winter activities'

Get Outside

What to Bring Along on a Winter Picnic

Because alfresco trumps the kitchen table. Even in winter.

Does the thought of winter camping makes your toes curl in anticipation of turning blue? Hankering to get outside and shake off the cabin fever? Pack up your sled with well-stocked picnic basket (or insulated backpack) and head outside! There’s a freedom and excitement in eating outdoors, no matter what the weather is. Here’s what to pack to turn your winter picnic into a party:

THE NECESSITIES

Before we get started on the fun stuff, there are a few basic items you should have on hand. Blankets are optional if you’re wearing snow or slush pants, but  spreading a blanket out really means a picnic. Don’t forget to bring lots of napkins for runny noses and a garbage bag for any waste. If it’s a sunny day, you may want to apply some sunscreen on the face before heading out.

News

News Round-Up Jan. 3: New Year’s Unresolutions, Perfect Parenting and Beyonce’s Enduringly Entertaining “Single Ladies”

What we’re reading today:

1. From slacking on chores to doddling in the morning, teacher and behaviour expert Nicola S Morgan offers a round-up of advice to help you break your kid’s bad habits this year.

2. On the other hand, maybe you identify more with one Huffington Post writer’s “unresolution” to simply be a more mindful parent.

3. In perfectionism research, a study from Ohio State University reveals that societal-oriented perfectionism is probably bad, but high internal standards are good.

4. Being a better parent in 2012 starts with having more fun, we reckon. Get inspired by one family’s mission to conquer winter with free and fun activities.

5. In case you can’t wait to see Beyonce’s baby, here’s a little something to tide you over (and give you a chuckle) in the meantime.

Photo by thomas hull via Flickr.

Miscellany

5 Favourite Sledding Videos

A collection of videos of maybe the best winter activity

We love tobogganing. We love it so much, we thought of spending New Year’s Eve on a sledding hill. So much, we might have pulled a child out of his skating class trip, having forgotten his skates, and took him sledding instead.

1. We thought this video, while a little long, was pretty good. That puppy is adamant that it’s his turn!

2. Same idea, but shorter and so much sweeter. And this dog just wants it more.

3. Have any election signs kicking around from any recent campaign-supporting? Apparently they make excellent toboggans:

4. While searching for videos, we came across a lot of so-called hilarious ones that were basically just people crashing. Injury ≠ funny! But we figured this tobogganing fail was OK because we doubt the featured tobogganer suffered any harm other than to maybe his tobogganing reputation.