It’s winter in the UK and many parts of Europe, which means the kids will soon be off school and ready to celebrate the holidays. With the temperatures dropping outdoors, you may prefer to stay inside and keep warm, but so long as you wrap up warm, it’s good to get outside and keep active.

The Christmas season means that you are more likely to indulge in sweet treats and festive delights, so it’s important to stay fit in order to burn off all the extra calories. Of course, the last thing you really want to do is go out for a run in the cold weather; but there are plenty of other ways to have fun outdoors and keep active at the same time.

Here are just a few:

Sledding

If it’s snowing in your area, put on your wellies, hat and gloves, grab your sled and have fun!

There’s no better way to embrace the crisp, white snow by going sledding. It’s best to find a snow-covered hill in which to do this, as this will help you to really pick up speed and make the most of the experience.

Sledding is fun for all the family and will certainly have you working up a sweat as you run up and down the hills.

Park walk

Come rain, shine or snow, embarking on a long walk is a great way to stretch your legs after feasting on Christmas treats. Put on your walking boots and head outside with your loved ones.

If there is a scenic park close to where you live, this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of it. Breathing in the fresh air will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised while the company of your family will no doubt make the experience all the more enjoyable.

You could even take a ball along and play some fun ball games to get your little ones moving even more.

Skiing

Many families like to travel at this time of year and head to the slopes for a spot of skiing. Why not treat your loved ones to a short getaway and try your hand with a set of skis?

Skiing is a really great form of exercise, with many resorts catering to both children and adults. After a long day on the slopes, retreat to your ski lodge and huddle up by the fire or head to the resort centre to see what festive entertainment is on offer.

Indoor sports

While it’s great to get outdoors, those who prefer the warmth may wish to keep active inside. So, when it’s raining or snowing, visit your nearest leisure centre and take part in a range of sporting activities, such as tennis, badminton or volleyball.

This means that you can still enjoy spending time with your family throughout the winter season and keep fit at the same time.