I like to keep my kids active all year round.
- I look for family friendly activities such as hiking, kayaking, petting zoos and waterparks.
It’s a little more difficult finding fun things to do in the winter. Living in Elgin, Illinois, the winter weather is brutal. The temperature is below freezing for at least half the year, and there’s plenty of snow on the ground. One thing that my whole family enjoys is getting on the ski slopes. There are plenty of ski resorts a short drive from Elgin. Skit trips make for an awesome weekend getaway. I make sure to keep in mind that the abilities of my kids vary quite a bit due to their ages. Especially if we haven’t been on our skis since last season, it’s important to start the younger kids on the beginner slopes. It helps all of us to get back in shape and gain confidence. It has proven worthwhile to enroll the kids in refresher lessons before we head off on a full-length ski trip. Even the older kids benefit from some instruction and tips. I then research to find a resort that has “bunny” hills as well as black-diamond courses, so that everyone can have a good time. There are several resorts within driving distance of Elgin that are kid-friendly. They often offer things like ski school, sleigh rides, bonfires with s’mores and activities beyond skiing the slopes. My kids like when there’s the chance to go tubing down the hills, snowmobile rentals and a game room. My husband and I appreciate it when our room includes a hot tub.