Winter Activities for Seniors

There’s nothing quite like the crisp, cool air and vivid colors of fall. But as winter sets in, the air gets colder and more uncomfortable. For seniors enjoying their golden years, it’s tempting to stay on the couch when it’s cold and snowy outside. But just because there’s snow and ice on the ground, it doesn’t mean you can’t get outside, get some sunshine and fresh air, and have fun. Here are some activities for seniors in the winter.

1. Playing Bingo: Bingo’s not exactly an active game, but it’s a great way to get out, be social, and meet people. Whether you go alone or with a spouse, bingo is a great choice for winter. Because it’s an indoor activity, you don’t have to worry about the cold. But it still gives you a great opportunity to get out of the house.
2. Changing Locations for Outdoor Activities: Just because it’s wintertime doesn’t mean you can’t find new places for your favorite activities. If you enjoy things like walking or swimming, there are places you can find where you can do these things in the winter. Instead of walking around the neighborhood, you can head down to your local mall. There, you can enjoy a comfortable, climate-controlled environment while you get some exercise. A lot of malls open their doors an hour or two before the stores open, which is a great time for mall walking. For swimming or water aerobics, your local YMCA or health club might have a heated pool. Because the water naturally supports your body and holds you up, swimming and other water activities are great ways for seniors to stay healthy and fit.
3. Layer Up and Go Outside Anyway: As we grow older, our bodies have more trouble adjusting to extreme temperatures. But with that said, you can still bundle yourself up in cozy layers and go enjoy outdoor activities. Whether it’s walking your dog around the neighborhood, playing in the snow with your grandkids, or going on a ski vacation, layering is the key to staying warm. Also, it’s worth keeping in mind that most of your body heat escapes through your head, rather than your torso or extremities. Scarves, earmuffs, and warm hats can go a long way toward keeping you warm and safe.
4. Bridge and Other Card Games: Why not set up a weekly bridge game with good friends? If bridge isn’t your thing, there are many other card games that you can try. There’s gin rummy, poker, blackjack, Uno, Skip-Bo, and more. If you get a little gambling involved by betting with pennies or poker chips, it can get even more interesting.
5. Read a Good Book: When it’s cold and snowy outside, it’s one of the best times to curl up on the couch or in the bathtub with a good book. Libraries and bookstores give you many things to choose from, not to mention ereaders like the Amazon Kindle. Winter days are a great time to catch up on your favorite book series, or find something new to learn about from nonfiction books.
6. Seasonal Arts & Crafts: Why not create something you can give to your children or grandchildren? Winter is a great time for knitting, crocheting, sewing, and other arts and crafts. You could even get a Bob Ross DVD and learn how to paint. After all, you’re never too old to learn something new.

Staying Warm while Having Fun in Wintertime: For seniors, the frigid wintertime weather can make going outside seem less than appealing. But if you’re creative, you can find many things to do during the winter. Whether it’s bundling up extra to brave the outdoor weather, or knitting a sweater next to the fireplace, there’s plenty of fun to be had before spring.