9 Ways to Embrace (and Enjoy) Winter in Edmonton with Kids #yeg #yegkids

It can be tempting to spend the winter in Edmonton by the fireplace at-home, binge watching Netflix and playing board games with the kids. We need to get back that though, because there’s so much to do during the winter in Edmonton – you’ve just got to learn how to enjoy it.

Bundle Up 

First thing’s first, you’ve got to bundle up. Make sure that you (and the kids) are dressed in layers, have warm hats, waterproof gloves and boots that are going to keep your feet warm. Just as the kids have pants protection, you should too. Consider investing in snowpants for yourself, so you can get in on the fun. Need a bit of inspiration? Boots? Sorel. Snowsuits? MEC, Roxy or Burton. Mittens and hats? Kombi. Jackets for Mom and Dad? Sears Parka.

Make a Bucket List 

Together, make a list of all of the things you want to try through the colder months. Usually something we do through the summer months, in previous years our winter bucket list would have looked something like ‘spend it in the hot tub’ or ‘watch all of the episodes of full house’ or ‘do an art class’. This year’s looks more like getting outside, exploring the city and walking through the ice castle in the light of day, and while it’s lit up with thousands of LED lights at night. The winter bucket list, the things we want to try, have completely changed our experiencing of winter in Edmonton.

Get off the Sidelines 

I’m guilty of this one. Usually at the sidelines taking pictures of the kids flying down the hill on their toboggans, it’s my husband who’s sledding down the hill with them. Last week, when I got off the sidelines and went down the hill, it was the most fun I’d had all week. It made me realize that I need to get down in the snow and help build those bricks for the snow fort, to go down the hill with them, even bring my own sled to the local toboggan hill. See our favourite toboggan hills.

Try Something New 

The key to getting excited about getting to get outside, is having something to be excited about. Get a new toboggan for the family try, or check out the snow tubing at Sunridge – you can even take a Segway ride through the River Valley’s snow covered trail. Whether it’s getting outside and trying that, or simply checking out a new trail by Snowshoe, it can help to get you in the mood to get outside and enjoy winter in Edmonton.

Host a Bonfire Party 

Bring some excitement to your backyard and get outdoors with friends and neighbours, just like you do in the summer. Light up the fire pit, and roast marshmallows and serve hot chocolate. Use this method to make some delicious cabane a sucre and delight the kids.

Cozy Up Your Inside 

Make your home inviting and cozy during the winter months. Have a blanket for every person, near the couch, so when you come in freezing you can warm up. Use the cold weather as an excuse to cuddle more, and create easily accessible hot chocolate or kid friendly tea, so the kids can warm up from the inside out when they come in.

Find Winter Magic 

Find magic in winter. Visit the ice castles, make a plan to take in all of the activities as part of the Silver Skate Festival, the Deep Freeze Festival and Ice on Whyte. Slide down a frozen ice slide, walk through an ice castle and find the magic that makes winter wonderful.

Keep it Short and Sweet 

It’s easy to get frustrated when it feels like you’re spending more time dressing young children to go outside than they’re actually spending outside but it’s hard to be outside for an hour at a time when you’re small – and when you’re not used to it.

When we started to get outside, we started with four to five small walks around the block or a couple of slides down the hill at the park within walking distance before everyone wanted to go home and get warmed up. Slowly, we started spending more time on the hills and outside, as everyone adapted to being outside in the winter weather.

Get Away

Getting away for the weekend can take your enjoyment of winter to the next level. Get away for the weekend and have entirely new adventures. Jasper in January is right around the corner, with things like ice walks, glacier tours, dog sledding, tobogganing in the mountains, skating and so much more. Another favourite Festival? Canmore Winterfest – or Lake Louise Ice Sculptures – getting away for the weekend makes winter seem much more enjoyable, and there’s the added bonus of warming up in a hot tub at the end of a ski run.

What are some of the ways that you’re getting out and embracing winter in Edmonton this year?

Photo: Edmonton Tourism