Five Top Winter Family Activities

1. Take a Healthy Cooking Class Together
   According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, lifelong eating habits begin to form in infancy. Teaching kids to prepare nutritious meals sets them up for healthier lifestyles and provides a memorable family bonding experience.
2. Schedule Regular Family Game Nights
   Playing together doesn't just bring families closer; it is also a mental health boost. Ninety-one percent of families that play games together say doing so improves their moods, according to a Hasbro study conducted by an independent research group and Christine Carter, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. This even holds true for teenagers.
3. Exercise Your Brain With Books
   Reading reduces stress, promotes sleep and helps children perform better in school. According to the American Academy of Neurology, a lifetime of reading also helps keep your brain sharper as you age. Read together as a family, or write and share your own stories. You could also start a family book club and invite some of your friends to join.
4. Experience Local Culture and History
   As a family, get out of the house and visit a museum, historical site, science center or cultural event. Educational travel between ages 12 and 18 has been linked to better grades, higher graduation rates, a better understanding of history and cultural diversity and even higher-paying jobs. According to the U.S. Travel Association, adults who took educational trips during their youth have a $5,000 higher median income than their peers.
5. Brave the Cold and Go Outside Anyway
   Go hiking or ice skating. Make a snowman or have a snowball fight. Just get outside whenever you can. Spending time outdoors promotes exercise, increases happiness, improves concentration and naturally boosts vitamin D levels, according to the Harvard Health Letter.

Ask your kids what their favorite winter family activities are to find something fun that will get everyone off of the couch and having a great time — no matter the weather.