In the northern parts of the planet, this is one of the coldest times of the year! Here’s a list of 10 winter activities that will help you enjoy the season:
#1 – go sledding
Kids love to go sledding in wintertime! You sit on an object called a sled – it can be made of wood and metal, or made of plastic – and ride down a snowy hill.
#2 – build a snowman
If the snow is slightly wet, so that it sticks together when you compress it, then it’s the perfect time to build a snowman. You can use sticks for his arms, pebbles (small rocks) for the eyes, mouth, and buttons; and a carrot for his nose. The snowman in the picture is also wearing a type of hat called a top hat, and a scarf around his neck.
#3 – have a snowball fight
If you’re feeling competitive – or just mischievous – you can have a snowball fight with your friends. The boy in the picture has stocked up on snowballs (accumulated a lot of them for future use) so that he has plenty of ammunition!
#4 – shovel snow
A snowstorm (when lots of snow falls) isn’t all fun and games – there’s also work to be done! You’ll need to shovel snow to clear it off your driveways and walkways. Some people have machines called snowblowers that make it much easier. To clear the major roads, the city uses vehicles called snowplows.
#5 – be careful not to slip on the ice
Watch out when walking on snow or ice, because the ground is slippery – that’s an adjective meaning it’s easy to slip (lose your balance when you step on the ground).
#6 – admire the icicles
There are many beautiful sights in wintertime – one of them is the icicles that form on the edges of houses and buildings.
#7 – sip hot chocolate / hot cocoa
Hot chocolate or hot cocoa is one of the most traditional drinks in the wintertime. The word sip means to drink something very slowly, in tiny amounts. If you really want to treat yourself (give yourself something special), you can add marshmallows or whipped cream:
#8 – wear fuzzy slippers
To keep your feet warm, you can wear slippers – this is a special type of comfortable shoe made specifically for relaxing around the house. The word fuzzy means soft and full of hair:
#9 – sit by a blazing fire
Some houses have a fireplace – a designated place to make a fire and let it burn safely. The smoke from the fire goes up and exits the house through the chimney. The word blazing means the fire is active and energetic.
#10 – count down the days until the snow melts
The verb melt describes when snow or ice turns into water, because it has gotten warmer. If you are counting down the days until something happens, it means you are eagerly awaiting it.