Remember the thrill as a child of heading outdoors on a wintry day to take on your favorite activity? It's time to start thinking along those lines once again as you look for ways to get active this winter. If you think of going outdoors as a chore, you probably won't do it and reap the benefits of fresh air and natural light. Instead try to recapture some of the enthusiasm you had for outdoor activity when you were younger with one of these activities that will get you moving and hopefully having some fun in the process. If it helps, gather up the kiddies and take them along for the ride!

Ice skating
All you need to go ice skating is a pair of skates, which you can buy (used!) or rent, warm clothing and frozen water. Many communities have outdoor rinks during the colder months. Likewise, you can take advantage of a frozen pond or lake in your area, however also remember safety precautions. The area should be approved by community officials for use and safety signs and rules should always be followed. You should also use your own judgment even when a frozen body of water is approved for skating. If the weather has been warm or you observe any cracks in the ice, avoid it.

Tobogganing
All you need for this traditional winter activity (in places that have snow, that is) is a hill, warm clothing, and of course, a toboggan. You should also seriously consider protective gear such as a helmet. Unfortunately whizzing down a slippery hill with bumps or trees can lead to injury, so be sure to take the necessary precautions.

Despite the fact that half of tobogganing involves riding down a hill on a sled, it's actually a good source of cardiovascular activity because every single time you want to ride down, you have to carry that toboggan back up the hill. If you want an even better cardiovascular workout, walk to the hill and pull your kids behind you on their toboggan. If you need a tobaggon that can hold both adults and children, check out Re's Arrowhead Little Chief Toboggan.

Build a snowman 
On Tuesday, Leafy Green talked about whey building a snowman is so Eco-friendly and even included some of the fun Calvin (of Calving and Hobbes) had building his own snowmen. Not only is building one an Eco-friendly activity, it's also one you can do in your backyard, which means you don't even have to fire up the car to enjoy it.

Make snow cones
Alright, so this won't really get you active, but consider it a treat for all of the energy you used participating in one of the aforementioned activities. Forget about the freezer versions with their shaved ice when you have a whole yard full of fresh snow. Find some fresh, untouched snow, fill a cup or bowl and drizzle some fruit juice concentrate on top. Voilà! A treat you and the kids can enjoy with the main ingredient provided by Mother Nature herself.

» REI