Winter is upon us, and there are so many ways to enjoy nature in winter, whether it’s by yourself, with your family, or with your friends.
Nature takes a unique turn in winter. The air feels different, animal patterns begin to change, and the world as we know it takes on a whole new look.
Getting out in nature at this time of year is one of the most magical experiences, especially if you live somewhere with heavy snowfall, giving that ‘real’ winter look.
However, whether there’s snow around you or not, there are plenty of ways to enjoy nature in winter, and here are just ten of our favourites.
- Winter is upon us, and there are so many ways to enjoy nature in winter, whether it’s by yourself, with your family, or with your friends.
- Our fun facts about nature in winter:
- 10. Go for a nature walk – one of the best ways to enjoy winter in nature
- 9. Look out for wildlife – nature rears its head in many ways in winter
- 8. Make a snowman/snow angels – embrace your inner child
- 7. Go stargazing – take advantage of clear winter skies
- 6. Embrace winter sports and activities – the benefits of nature in winter
- 5. Get out and take pictures – enjoy your winter canvas
- 4. Go sledging – embrace good snow cover
- 3. Paint or draw the scenery around you – a winter live drawing
- 2. Go winter hiking – for the more adventurous types
- 1. Go for a winter picnic – branch out this winter!
- Notable mentions
- Your questions answered about nature in winter
Our fun facts about nature in winter:
- Snowflakes are completely unique. No two snowflakes are exactly the same.
- Winter solstice marks the beginning of the winter season and usually occurs every year on 21 or 22 December in the Northern Hemisphere and 20 or 21 June in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the shortest day of the year.
- For certain animal species, evergreen trees, other conifers and other shrubs are essential for survival in winter.
- November, December, January and February are the best months to enjoy nature in winter.
10. Go for a nature walk – one of the best ways to enjoy winter in nature
There is little better than going for a walk in nature around wintertime. The air is crisp and cool around you, so you wrap up warm to shield yourself from the elements, and it feels so cosy.
Tree branches and leaves are frosted with icy tips, and you’d be lucky to spot a robin redbreast or two, pine cones and more to mark the turning of the seasons.
This winter, take yourself out for a walk to a nearby forest or park and breathe in that crisp air to really get your blood flowing.
9. Look out for wildlife – nature rears its head in many ways in winter
Around this time of year, we get to see lots of animals we might not normally see around the rest of the year. While many animals are going into hibernation, we are graced with a glimpse of them at this time of year.
Depending on where you live, this could include deer, groundhogs, rabbits, woodpeckers, chipmunks, otters, squirrels, foxes, badgers, and many more types of wildlife. This is one of the best ways to enjoy nature in winter.
8. Make a snowman/snow angels – embrace your inner child
If you are lucky enough to have a white winter wherever you are in the world, get outside and connect with nature by making a snowman with your family or friends.
You can also get down on the ground and feel really connected with the earth, both physically and spiritually, by making some snow angels.
Let go of your inhibitions and embrace your inner child by making a snowman and some snow angels this winter.
7. Go stargazing – take advantage of clear winter skies
Winter provides some of the clearest skies we are graced with in the year, so grab a blanket and some hot tea and head to your back garden or somewhere with little lighting and gaze up into the beautifully lit sky.
6. Embrace winter sports and activities – the benefits of nature in winter
From skiing to outdoor ice skating, we get to embrace some amazing activities in winter that we can’t take advantage of year-round.
Head to your nearest outdoor ice rink or hit the slopes this winter to really get a taste of winter. You’ll breathe in the fresh, crisp air all while exercising and enjoying the beauty around you.
5. Get out and take pictures – enjoy your winter canvas
Whether you’re a budding photographer or not, pictures can look their best in winter thanks to the snowcapped mountains, frosted trees and leaves, and the bright blue winter skies above us.
These pictures could become some of your most treasured memories that you look back on in the future and smile about.
4. Go sledging – embrace good snow cover
If it snows in your area this winter, why not find the nearest snowy hill to your house and go sledging with friends or family?
This is one of the best ways to really connect with the elements around you and embrace the winter weather!
3. Paint or draw the scenery around you – a winter live drawing
One of the best ways to enjoy winter in nature is by taking yourself or a group of friends to a nearby forest, park, or somewhere picturesque. Here, you can paint or draw the nature scene around you.
This way, you really focus on little details that you wouldn’t normally notice on a regular day. This is an excellent activity to enjoy with friends this winter.
2. Go winter hiking – for the more adventurous types
Get your snow shoes at the ready and go for a hike in nature this winter. This activity is certainly one for the more experienced and adventurous among us.
If this is something you haven’t experienced in winter before, make sure to take on the activity with a group, a guide, or someone who really knows what they are doing.
1. Go for a winter picnic – branch out this winter!
Why should picnics be reserved for the summer and the warm weather? Wrap up in some warm clothes, bring a hot flask of tea or hot chocolate, gather your friends, and go for a winter picnic.
Notable mentions
Watch a winter nature documentary: This is a great time of year to sit inside with the fire lit or heating on and watch a documentary, like Planet Earth or Our Planet, about polar bears and other winter animals.
Ice fishing: Depending on where you live, ice fishing can be one of the best winter activities! Get out and catch your own dinner at your local pond or lake with some ice fishing.
Winter camping: Another activity that is typically reserved for the summer is camping. Why not embrace the elements by going winter camping this year?
Your questions answered about nature in winter
In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions about this topic.
What happens in nature in winter?
In winter, plants start to slow down, their leaves fall off, and they become dormant to conserve their energy for less than favourable conditions. Winter is actually the best time to plant trees!
How do you find nature in winter?
Walk outside your front door and discover nature all around you in winter! Some of the best locations are parks, forests, and mountainous areas.
How do you feel connected to nature in the winter?
We believe that trying out any of our ten winter activities above a great way to connect with nature in the winter.