Things to do in the cooler months.

I've felt and seen the unmistakable signs that summer is coming to an end. A chill in the early morning air, leaves beginning to turn on the apricot tree. Children still wrapped in their quilts emerge from their bedrooms in the morning, feet stuffed into woolen moccasins. The midday sun may still have a sting in it and we still have the occasional day in the 30's but there won't be many of them now. Before we know it trees will be bare, heating bills will be coming in and stews, casseroles and hot puddings will replace salads as the comforting meal of choice.

There are the less desirable trappings of winter- sniffles, runny noses and persistent coughs. For anyone with children at home (i.e. toddlers and/or home schooled kids of any age) another winter certainty is cabin fever. You don't need to be literally snowed-in to get cabin fever. Enforced time at home due to illness and the inability to meet up with friends because they have sickies in the house combines with inclement weather. The result can be feelings of isolation and frustration.

Experience has taught me that you really have to seize the moment in the cooler months. If the day is reasonable, the rain stops, the sun comes out and everyone is relatively well, that's the time to get out of the house. Rug up! Hats, scarves (worn over the mouth and nose as a muffler if cold air sets off a tickly throat), gloves, warm shoes or gumboots and a wind-resistant jacket will make a lot of activites do-able. We sometimes take a blanket in the car so that wind-nipped kids can snuggle in and warm up on the way home.

So you're rugged up- where to now? The beach of course! Seriously, the beach can be a beautiful place in winter so long as you keep dry. Children can still dig in the drier sand, search for driftwood, check out rockpools and watch boats and ships out at sea. There aren't many people cluttering up the sand so you can write huge messages in the sand with a stick or make sand sculptures. Many beaches also allow dogs in the off-season so even Rover can get some fresh air and exercise; just check with your local council.

Local parks or gardens can also present a totally different face in autumn and winter. Take along a camera and photograph textures- bare tree bark, winter grasses, seed pods and autumn leaves. Also amazing are huge expanses of turbulent winter skies. Collect fallen leaves, twigs and bark for collages or other nature craft. Winter may also be an interesting time to go for a tramp along a local creek or river- just be very careful, especially after rain!

Do you have a friend or family member with a farm? Would they welcome a visit? I have happy, messy memories of sloshing around in muddy corrals at a friend's farm when I was a child (and memories of being in big trouble when I got home because of the state of my clothing ;-))

Colder weather also means that getting warm from physical activity is a good thing! Plan a ball game in a local open space or park. Make and fly kites. Gather a few families and with a little planning and basic equipment you can have a round-robin sports day in a local park. Plan a hike or a bike ride along a bicycle path or local trail. Have a couple of non-riders prepare a barbecue at the end of the ride.

Check your local paper or entertainment guide for free or cheap activities. Fetes and festivals may continue through autumn. While there may not be as many major outdoor events in winter in your area there may be smaller galleries, special interest museums and the like that have exhibitions to visit.

Shopping can be another good cool weather activity. I'm not talking about shiny mall/chain store shopping (although if that's your thing, go for it!). Investigate smaller out of the way shopping strips where individual mum-and-dad businesses still survive. Study the directory and plan your own op-shop tour. Shop the ops for a purpose- collect craft supplies, restock the home library or source dress up costumes for a fancy dress night. Visit the local farmer's market or trash and treasure market. Inclement weather may even help keep the crowds away- more bargains for the brave!

And the winter evenings? Invite another family for a movie night. Make it an old fashioned evening- start with a short film or cartoon, perhaps an old family movie. Cook up some popcorn, serve lolly bags and start up your feature film. Hold an intermission- everyone can stretch and anticipate the ending of the movie. Make it a double feature if you're up for a late night.

Another great evening is a Games Night. The more people you invite the better. Last winter we had about 26 guests and didn't need a single heater- the windows were actually steaming! Set up all available tables and chairs with card and board games. Let your guests group up and find the games that suit them. This works well as a supper thing (bring a plate) or you could do it after a potluck dinner.

Winter is cold and it can be bleak but it doesn't have to be boring or lonely.

If you have any other no-cost or low-cost activities for the cooler months please add them in a comment.