Winter Sports to Enjoy With Your Kids

Gone are the days of playing soccer in the park or a pickup game of basketball in the driveway. Now the fields and courts are covered in ice and snow, giving way to a whole new set of sports and activities. Whether your family is young, the kids are getting a little older or somewhere in between, there are many ways you can get into winter sports and have the whole family participate.

Here is a list of activities to incorporate into your winter family fun!

Note: As you go about getting the family involved, make sure each family member is performing to their age and ability level so everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Sledding

If you do not consider sledding a sport, then you have not been sledding in a while. Not only do you get an excellent workout walking up those hills following each time you sled down, but you can make games out of sledding. Whether you let the older children build small “jumps” to see who can do the coolest trick or smooth out a great course to make sure your sled goes as far as possible, creating the perfect sledding hill takes a lot of work and creativity. For younger children, pick smaller hills and make sure they are accompanied by an adult or older sibling to keep them safe.

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. If they can walk, they can start to skate. Start off slowly to help everyone be safe, but as your children get older, encourage them to try fun ways to mix it up like spinning or skating backwards. Because ice skating can be done year round at an indoor ice skating rink, encourage your children to sign up for lessons if it is something they enjoy. This may become a sport that gets them excited for the next round of the Winter Olympic Games!

Ice Hockey

After your kids have been ice skating for a couple of years and are a little older, you might consider playing a little bit of ice hockey. Find a rink or consider creating one in your own backyard. Divide the family up into teams and play an ice hockey tournament! This might be more fun and challenging for those kids in the family that have some extra energy or like sports that can be a little more aggressive. If there are younger children or members of the family who would rather not play, they can still participate by cheering on each team!

Skiing/Snowboarding

If you live close to a mountain resort, consider taking the family up the mountain for a day of shredding the powder. Consider putting your children in half day lessons to give them a chance for formal instruction and you a chance to ski or board in places their ability may not allow quite yet. Then spend the other half of the day with the kids showing you what they learned. Many resorts will take children as young as four for group lessons and even younger for private lessons, so you don’t have to wait too long to have a great family day on the slopes.

Snowshoeing

Does your family enjoy hiking and spending time in nature during the summertime? Well lucky for you, snowshoeing allows you to experience those beautiful trails in the winter as well. Snowshoes come in smaller sizes for younger children and the very youngest can be carried by the adults. Consider renting snowshoes for younger children if you would rather not invest in smaller snowshoes as the kids continue to grow.

Additional Tips

As with any sport played by children and adults alike, there is always the potential for injury. Do what you can to prevent a sports related injury but if you find yourself looking for treatment, make sure you do your research. There are many non-surgical options available now to treat pain.

Many dread the coming of winter, but there are many fun activities available for your family to participate in together. Look for ways to get the whole family involved and don’t be afraid to learn something new so you can keep up with your kids!

The Best Boots for Your Body Type

Fall is the season for boots.  As the temperature drops and the air turns crisp, it is the perfect time to both cover and show of your legs with some killer boots.

However, not all boots are created equally.  And not all boots look good on every body type.  In order to get the most out of your boots and to make sure you always look your best, make sure you’re picking the right boots for your body.

Boyish:

If your natural body type lacks curves, then you want boots that are going to add a touch of femininity to your body. The best way to accomplish this is by getting boots with a stiletto heel.  Not only is the stiletto one of the most feminine types of heels available, it also does wonders for girls with thin ankles and calves.

If a stiletto is not for you – or if you want to ultra-feminize your boot – then pick a boot that has some girlish embellishments, such as fur, cutouts, buckles or straps.

Hourglass:

If you have the opposite body type – i.e. an hourglass figure – you want to balance out your curves with a boot that has a sturdier heel.  This means a flat boot, a platform boot, or even something as simple as a cone heel instead of a stiletto.  Another great way to complement your shape is to pick a round toe boot instead of a pointed toe.

Petite:

If you are on the petite side, you want your boots to help elongate your body.  This is done by picking a boot that has either a heel or a platform.  Another great trick is to pick a boot that has a pointed toe, which will help extend the length of your leg.

Tall:

For those tall girls out there, the best boot for you in a flat riding boot.  The shape of the boot, without the heel, will help body remain proportionate.  Tall girls can also pull of the edgier over-the-knee boot whenever they want to add a little sass.

Pear-shaped

For those with a pear-shaped figure, you want a boot that is going to both slim and elongate your body.  For this reason, you want a longer boot.  The best boot length is one that hits right below the knee.  Mid-calf length boots will simply cut the line of your body and make your legs appear thicker.

Apple-shaped

If you have an apple-shaped body, then you want a boot that is going to balance out your top half. The best boot to accomplish this is a boot with a wedged heel.  Since most apple-shaped girls have slim legs, a wedged heel will give substance to your feet and help your body shape visually even out.

Look fabulous this fall and find a boot that will compliment your shape. 

Remember, if the boot fits, wear it!!


*Janine Sobeck is a freelance writer, theatre artist, travel lover, and certified foodie. 
She has enjoyed writing content for Blossom Boutique  since 2012.