It’s beginning to look a lot like… cold weather. With the sun setting at 4 pm and the winter blues starting to creep up, now is the time to shake off the cold and have some fun to survive the winter season. Luckily for you, we have put together a list of 12 winter friendly and inspired activities for you to try.  And if you keep reading until the end of this article, you will find a fun bingo card! Here’s a quick guide to some fun activities you’ll find; 

Drink hot chocolate

You’ve probably had hot chocolate before, but why not spice it up a bit? Try adding peppermint extract, cinnamon, caramel or even make a Nutella hot chocolate! There are so many creative recipes to try out this winter! 

Go ice skating in the city 

Call your friends, grab your warm coat and go to the city center of Breda to show off your ice-skating moves! From December 13 until January 5, you can go ice skating at de Grote Markt and afterwards you can go to the winter tavern for some shared dining bits, a nice glass of wine or a beer. A ticket to the skating rink costs 7,50 plus 5,50 if you need to rent some skates. Do you not live in Breda? Don’t worry! You can find these type of ice-skating rings in almost every big city in the Netherlands! 

Visit the ice sculpture festival 

From December 14 to March 2, you can go to the ice sculpture festival to look at various statues made from ice- It’s like stepping into a winter wonderland!  You can find the festival in Biddinghuizen, near, Zwolle. It is accessible by train and they offer shuttle busses to get to the festival. You don’t want to miss this! You can buy a ticket for around 20 euros. 

Go on a Christmas walk 

When it snows, the woods in Breda transform into a fairytale landscape. Take a nice walk through them with a friend, or alone. Snap some pictures or just enjoy the cold, frosty air. Do you prefer the city? You could also go on a special guided 90 minute-long Christmas tour in the city where you learn more about the history of Breda and Christmas as you go past various places and listen to many stories told by people dressed up as a character from the past. It is organized by BredaWandelt and a ticket is around 20 euros. This tour is only in Dutch though, so keep that in mind! 

Go to a light show at the zoo 

Starting in October and continuing until the end of March, Ouwehands Dierenpark turns into a magical winter wonderland. Enjoy an enchanting evening and look at animal sculptures designed with Chinese light artists. It’s a magical experience that you don’t want to miss! 

Make your own winter decorations 

If you like crafting and DIY why not get creative this winter! You could try to make a pinecone garland, some paper snowflakes and more. There are so many fun and easy crafts to bring some cozy winter vibes into your room! Here are some fun DIY ideas you could try out!  

Make some winter dishes 

Are you already feeling stressed about Christmas dinner?  Our new article about Christmas recipes will be up very soon so be sure to check it out! 

Watch a Christmas movie 

Had enough of the cold? Grab a cozy warm blanket, your homemade hot chocolate and watch a nice Christmas movie such as Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, or is a cheesy Hallmark movie more your cup of… hot chocolate? 

Decorate your room for winter 

Remember those winter decorations you’ve made? Well, why not decorate your room with them! Make your room ready for winter and run to action to get some Christmas lights, a mini Christmas tree, a snowman decoration and more festive winter decorations to bring the winter vibes inside, except the cold, of course. Maybe grab a heating blanket while you’re at it? 

Create a winter inspired playlist 

Still not feeling the winter spirit? A good playlist can fix that! Create a playlist specifically for the season and listen to this without worrying about your Spotify wrapped, it’s already out, so your stats are safe and won’t be overloaded with Christmas songs! Need some inspiration? Here is a playlist to help you out! 

Participate in a polar bear plunge 

This one is for the brave! Are you not afraid of the cold, then start the new year by jumping into icy cold water at Scheveningen beach. You'll get a festive Christmas hat, and together, you'll jump into the New Year! Afterwards you’ll get a hot cup of pea soup, and don’t worry about being the only one; between 7000 and 10.000 participate every year! You can check out all the information here, and don’t worry; it’s free! 

Go to a Christmas market 

Not a big fan of DIY, but still want a warm blanket? Well, you can definitely find some at a Christmas market. Did you know there are over 100 Christmas markets in the Netherlands? Plenty to choose from! The most popular markets are Magisch Maastricht, Kerststad Valkenburg and Royal Christmas Fair, Den Haag. You’re guaranteed to find some cozy blankets, decorations and festive treats there! 

And there you have it! With so many activities, winter doesn’t stand a chance! 

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