Go outdoors this half-term

It might be pushing sub-zero figures outside, but that hasn’t stopped half-term from sneaking up on us. And if your stuck for ideas about what to do with your brood in this less than hospitable conditions then look no further…

Make the most of the snow

If you can’t beat it, well, don’t join it, but certainly embrace it. It’s not often we get a dump of the fluffy stuff and the fact its come at half-term can only mean one thing: stick the snow-boots on, wrap up warm and get the sledges out of the attic and find your local hill. It’s free, its good exercise and it’ll keep the kids entertained for a few hours – what better way to start the holidays?

Go Climbing

While the snow-covered uplands of the UK might not lend itself to a quiet hike in the Peaks this weekend, it doesn’t mean you can’t practice your climbing skills. If you’re not a climber yourself, you can always try a starter course at one of the many indoor climbing centre’s around the country. Or you could even send younger members of your family off on one while you try the more advanced walls.

Get walking

According to our not-so-reliable friends at the Met Office, it will start to defrost by the beginning of next week, so the great outdoors becomes a much more viable (and a lot less chilly) option. The joy of living on an island is that you’re never to far from the sea. How about heading out to your nearest stretch of coast, walk along the beach, load up on a hefty pub lunch and then walk it off on your way back. Maybe even squeeze in a cheeky cream tea while you’re out there…

Step outside

The National Trust is urging families to spend their week off making the most of what’s right on the doorstep, and that sounds like a pretty good plan to us. The National Trust are running an almost uncountable series of half-term activities, from building bird boxes in Londonderry to walk round Tumbleton lake in Northumberland.

Picture Credit: Glen Bowman via creative commons

More stuff that you might find interesting

• The great guide-book exchange
• North York Moors turns 60 in style
• The Outdoors Show 2012
• Win a Place on a ‘Woodsmoke’ BushCraft Course with Bramwell International
• Fancy Geocaching?
• Scottish Amble
• Scotland’s first Geopark in the North West Highlands