So, the holidays are here, and that often means one thing: staying indoors with family or close friends and sharing good times. The Christmas season is usually a cold one, and you might be forgiven for avoiding the outside.
But you know what would be fun this holiday season? Making some awesome and unforgettable memories outdoors with friends and family, you know, despite the cold and snow.
If this sounds like something up your alley, let's take a look at some fun outdoor Christmas activities.
Outdoor Christmas Tree
We are not talking about that small Christmas tree you have indoors next to the fireplace. This time we are going big, as in a live tree that you can adorn with ornaments, ribbons, strings, and Christmas lights.
Everyone can pitch in to offer their ideas on how you can turn that outdoor tree into one of the most spectacular scenes in the neighborhood and, of course, contribute to the Christmas spirit.
And it's not just the artificial stuff. You can attract wildlife such as birds and squirrels by attaching birdseed ornaments and popcorn garlands. Nothing would make that outdoor Christmas tree come alive quite like having the wildlife appreciate it.
Marshmallows on the Bonfire
Speaking of the backyard, another great option for outdoor Christmas activities is to light up a bonfire, gather around, and roast marshmallows. Why not add in a bit of banter and share some of the most incredible moments you’ve had this year?
You could even cook some delish meals in the backyard and invite the extended family over. This can create a wonderful opportunity to catch up with long-lost members and learn what they’ve been up to throughout the year.
Snowman Building Competition
Not all of us will be lucky enough to have snow this festive season, but if you are among the lucky ones, then this opens up a whole new twist to the outdoor Christmas activities checklist.
One way of taking full advantage of the snow is to compete on who makes the best snowman. You can divide yourselves up into groups and then start your challenge.
And once you’ve decided on the winner, you could, you know, finish off with a good ol’ snowball fight. For safety reasons, just ensure the rules are clear to everyone participating.
Open Air Movie Night
Add a twist to going to the cinema and just opt for an open-air movie night. Simply drive to the venue, find a nice parking spot, and enjoy your favorite movie. Be sure to bring warm clothes, warm drinks, and snacks. In case things get a bit too cold, you can always turn up the car heater.
If you don’t feel like driving or even if watching a movie inside the car could be inconvenient for some, you can bring out the projector and have a movie night in the comfort of your own backyard.
A great addition to your movie night would be a portable power station, like the Bluetti Elite V2 200 Power Station. With 2073wh of power, you’ll be able to run the projector for hours, charge up your devices, and even power outdoor lights to set the perfect movie-night ambiance. This means no more worrying about running out of juice mid-movie!
Stargazing
If there’s one thing you can expect during the festive and winter seasons, it’s the clear skies. That means the stars will be out in all their glory. A great outdoor Christmas activity you can do is to head to the backyard, lay down a mat, and do a bit of stargazing. Don’t forget the binoculars or telescopes.
If you get lucky, you might see a shooting star, a meteor shower, or an unidentified flying object; who knows?
A Christmas Lights Outing
If there’s one thing we can be sure of, there will be plenty of lighting decorations adorning neighborhoods, trees, and public places this holiday season. If you stay indoors then you’ll never see how creative people have gotten this year with the light displays.
So carry a thermos filled with hot cocoa, dress warm, and bring your family and friends with you on a scavenger hunt for a Christmas light show. Who knows, this could be the highlight of your season—and you might just catch your neighbor’s light display outshining yours. (It’s all part of the fun!)
Ice Skating
Want to make your Christmas season outing even more fun? Consider ice skating…outdoors. Yup, most areas will have an outdoor ice skating rink, usually at the town square or park.
Make sure to wear warm, comfortable clothes and thick socks. Bring your ice skating shoes, and have fun. If you don’t have skating shoes, don’t worry, as you can always rent them and get on the rink. Just remember to carry your camera with you to capture those fun moments.
Holiday Markets
It would be hard to imagine the festive season without holiday markets. They offer a great way to not only get out of the house but also do some shopping, sample tasty foods, and enjoy some entertainment.
From adults to children, there’s something for everyone. Kids can pick up their favorite gift to serve as a memento of the season, as well as pick out what tasty meals and fun things to do.
Plus, this can also be a great place to pick up ornaments to adorn that tree in your backyard. Speaking off…
Go to a Reindeer Farm
The kids will certainly thank you for taking them to a reindeer farm. After all, what is Christmas and Santa without them? This is a great chance for the kids to get engaged in learning all there is about reindeer while having a close and personal experience.
What’s more, many reindeer farms will offer extra activities such as sleigh rides and will also have other animals on the farms that the kids can learn more about, resulting in a full day of fun and learning.
Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
Still on the topic of Christmas trees, sure, not everyone has the luxury of a real live tree in their backyard, but you can always visit a Christmas tree farm and pick one. Walk through rows of multiple Christmas trees to find the ideal one for your home.
Once you’ve located the ideal tree, working together to cut it down can be lots of fun.
And it's not over yet!
You can also enjoy rides across the farm, hearty meals, and plenty of entertainment before carrying your tree with you back home.
Wildlife Watching
One of the best times of the year to view wildlife is this festive season. Just grab a guidebook, a pair of binoculars, and warm clothes, and head out and see how many animals you can spot, from squirrels to different species of birds to deer.
If you are lucky and depending on the area you live in, you might hear the distant howl of wolves or come across a black bear on its way to the next garbage bin, because, you know, they are all about that life! Note to keep yourself and your loved ones a good distance away as some of these larger wildlife can be dangerous.
Sledding Down a Hill
It just wouldn't be enough to talk about outdoor Christmas activities without mentioning sledding. If you have snow and a hilly spot in your area, then it's time to bring out the sleds. Heck, you could even bring a strong piece of wood if you don’t have a sled.
Climbing up the hill is a great way to warm up your body, and when you are finally at the top, jump on the sleds and see who reaches the bottom first.
Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing
Here’s a great way to spruce up your Christmas. Skiing can be exhilarating and extremely fun. For one, you are sure to raise your body temperature and keep warm. Even if it’s the first time, you can probably find some family-friendly trails that can suit even the kids.
And if skiing isn’t an option for you, try snowshoeing. While this activity is a bit more laid back and won’t require fast movement down a hill, it is still physically engaging and offers a great way to explore the surroundings while keeping your body temperature up. Just be sure to pick trails that will suit everyone involved.
Winter Hiking and Camping
This may come off as a bit of a shocker, but consider winter hiking or camping. During this time of the year, the trees and the forest floor are covered in snow, creating scenes like something out of a fairytale.
Pick family-friendly trails where the kids won’t struggle to keep up and remember to bring along snacks and warm cocoa. Oh, and don’t forget the camera, as you may want to capture that magical scenery.
If you decide to camp, make sure you bring along a sleeping bag and tent, as well as all the camping gear you might need. Pack extra layers, snacks, and emergency supplies. The Bluetti Charger 1 might come in handy here. It connects to your vehicle’s alternator to help charge your power station, making sure you have all the power you need to juice up your devices from camping lights, heaters, and even that induction cooker.
Final Words
Christmas is a time for bonding with loved ones, sharing laughter, and rebuilding close bonds. Stepping into the outdoors can add an element of great fun and bonding. Whether it's going on a hike, snowshoeing, or skiing down a slope to build the perfect outdoor Christmas tree, the outdoors offers a great opportunity to create unforgettable memories. This time instead of cozying up indoors, get out there.
