One of the benefits of living in the South is being able to enjoy warmer winters than what’s experienced in other parts of the country. Still, the drop in temperature and shorter daylight hours can discourage people from being as active. Despite these circumstances, there are often many outdoor activities to participate in at local parks and within your community. The guide below offers suggestions. 

How to Stay Active Outside During Winter Months

1. Participate in a Holiday Fun Run

Between Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day, many communities host holiday fun runs. Unlike marathons, these events feature shorter distance races, making it more accessible to those new to running or walking. Participation often goes to support a local fundraiser and can give families an opportunity to accomplish an exciting and memorable goal together.

2. Take a Walk

Walking—even if just for 30 minutes a day—is often enough to help individuals achieve a recommended level of fitness. If your neighborhood isn’t friendly to foot travel or you need a change of scenery, consider taking your family and pets to a local park. To make sure your stroll is safe and comfortable, bundle up to maintain body heat and drink water to stay hydrated. 

3. Find Free Family Activities at a Local Recreation Center 

Community recreation centers are a great resource for free and family-friendly events. Many of these activities—such as craft fairs, holiday parades, and geocaching events—will appeal to residents of all ages and provide a way for people to move around outside the house.

4. Sign Up for Winter Sports

Apart from providing a relaxing outlet for social activity, winter sports leagues—such as basketball and volleyball—offer a structured way for kids and adults to engage in regular exercise and fun competition. These leagues are typically open to participants of all skill levels and only require a nominal registration fee. 

If you want to get moving this winter, let the Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department be your resource for all sorts of exciting activities. Sponsoring family-friendly events and winter sports leagues, this community organization will add variety to your season. They also maintain several welcoming local parks in Jacksonville, AR, to provide a natural environment for walking, running, and playing. For more details on their upcoming events and programs, follow the parks department on Facebook or visit their website. You can also call (501) 982-4171 for answers to your questions, as well as general updates.