I adore the wintertime. Not only is it a great time to snowshoe, ice skate and ski, winter is a terrific season for being a nature sleuth. Get outdoors after a snowfall to see who has been out and about before you by looking for their footprints. Learning about snow and snow conditions is fun too... listen to it under your feet. Does it squeak, crunch, or remain quiet with each of your steps? Do you know why?  And, if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time you may get to experience the Northern Lights!  Here are some of my past Nature Notes to get you out and exploring this winter:

• Tracks - Telltale Prints 
• Snow - Crystals of Ice
• Northern Lights - Charged Collision

Activities for Children and the Young at Heart

1. Make up a new winter game or sport, or adapt a summer activity you love to the snow. Check out videos of Snow Kayaking for inspiration!
2. Try a Shovel Race! This is not seeing how fast you can shovel... but actually riding a shovel in a downhill race. Riding shovels has probably been going on ever since there were shovels, but some say it started when ski lift operators began riding their shovels to the bottom of the slopes after their shifts. Does a ski slope near you offer shovel racing events?
3. Make snow art... snowmen are great, but try building your favorite animals, mythical creature out of snow. For inspiration see 50 Amazing Snow and Ice Sculptures from Around the World.