Here at Camp Keystone, we like to say there’s no need for Camp Fun to end during the winter months! When the holidays are finally out of the way, but your kids are still home waiting out the last week of their Winter Break, here’s several ideas for camp-like activities that are sure to keep them (and you) entertained!
Bird Watching
– Grab your binoculars, backpacks, camera, and spice up your family hike by adding bird watching to your winter break adventures. Don’t forget to document your sightings! The Los Angeles Audubon Society is a great resource to get you started on everything you need to know for this fun outdoor activity! They offer educational ideas for both adults and youth- teaching conservation while stimulating interest. Visit laaudubon.org for more information, for “Rare Bird Alerts” and where to go for sightings! Make it even more memorable by packing lunches and making it a picnic!
Slime Time!
– No matter what age, who doesn’t love the art of making slime? After many years of popularity, this easy-to-make-at-home sensory activity is still going strong! You can experiment with all kinds of colors, and even add some fun accessories like glitter and beads. Here’s an easy and SAFE recipe to help get you started:
Ingredients:
-12 oz of Elmer’s White Glue
-1 ½ tablespoons of Baking Soda
-2 tablespoons of Contact Lens Saline Solution (add as needed)
Put On A Play!
– Let them write, direct, and act in their very own production. As a bonus, let them print, promote, and sell tickets to their performance for you and the entire family. They will love seeing all their hard work pay off as you support and reward their efforts with cash!
Sip Hot Cocoa At Your Favorite Local Café
– Not only will you be getting them out of the house for a nice winter walk and sweet treat, it’s also a great opportunity to teach your budding entrepreneurs all about small and local business and what it means to support them.
Outdoor Ice-Skating
–We may not have snow in Los Angeles, but there is definitely no shortage of outdoor ice skating rinks in the winter months! Check out just a few of many, local, kid-friendly, rinks for this timeless winter tradition:
-LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. Live – Downtown Los Angeles
-Holiday Ice Rink – Los Angeles
-ICE at Santa Monica – Santa Monica
-Woodland Hills on Ice – Woodland Hills
-Iceland Ice Skating Center – Van Nuys
Stargazing
– With the sun going down early in the winter months, there is plenty of time to venture out with the family for some stargazing- without risking staying out too late! Some of the best places to stargaze near L.A. are Malibu Creek State Park, Topanga State Park, Mount Wilson Observatory, and of course Griffith Park Observatory. Although some of the state parks may close earlier in the evening, you can still enjoy the starry sky from the entrance or the park’s parking areas.
Don’t forget to check the weather before taking off on your astral adventure!
Visit a WINTER-y Spot
– Whether you’re looking for snowboarding, skiing, tubing, sledding, or just a good old fashioned snowball fight, there is no shortage of options for snowy activities outside of Los Angeles. What’s even better is you can make it a quick day trip and be back in time to feed the dog!
If you’re not in the mood for the BIGness of Big Bear, there are several other less crowded, more quaint, and just as family-friendly choices. Remember to always check weather and road conditions before you head out, and plan accordingly.
Catch Closing Museum Exhibits
– Kids love museums, and the colder cozy months are a great time to explore one! Especially those museums with exhibits that will be packing up and closing before the new year! Check out momsla.com for an updated, post-Covid guide on some of the coolest children’s museums in our area.
Play a Family Sport
– The family that plays together, stays together! Find a new sport your whole family can play together. There are many spontaneous options that you can jump right into at any skill level:
-Tennis
-Kickball
-Basketball
-Golf
-Volleyball
-Ping Pong
-Non-Tackle Football
-Soccer
Roast Marshmallows in Your Backyard
– Need we say more? There’s not much else that says camp in the winter than a warm, fluffy, gooey, roasted marshmallow! And roasting them is all the memory-making fun you need! Here are some tips from Campfire Marshmallows on how to roast the perfect marshmallow:
-A low fire or hot coals provide the best conditions for roasting marshmallows!
-Use a “fire safe” tool when roasting marshmallows over an open fire.
-Prevent accidents and set rules with the kids – keep a safe distance from the fire pit and no running!
-Have all your s’more ingredients ready before you start roasting!
After roasting the perfect marshmallow, head to the link below for more winter activity fun, including an alternative to Slime…stretchy, fun, Marshmallow Dough! https://www.campfiremarshmallows.com/category/winter-crafts/
Be sure to check back for more Camp Keystone Blog Posts and for information on Early Registration for Summer Camp 2023 COMING SOON!