The festive season may be over, but we still have dark nights and cold temperatures, which may make you want to stay indoors. However, there are lots of fun activities you and your family can do this winter which you will want to brave the cold for.

Go ice skating
An oldie, but a goodie – ice Skating is the classic family winter activity. Whether you are the next Torvil and Dean or more Bambi on ice, you will have fun laughing and trying out new skills. And when you’ve had enough of falling over, there’s always the hot chocolate stand at the end.

Dry ski slope
Skiing holidays are great fun, but the costs can mount up quickly. However, you can enjoy winter sports on a budget and at home – just without the (real) snow! Indoor snow slopes or dry ski slopes allow you enjoy classic snow sports at a fraction of the cost of a trip to the Alps.

Get Cultural
They say you should learn something new every day, so start the new year off right and visit your local museums or National Trust parks. They are a great day out for the whole family, with activities for everyone. You can save money by signing up for National Trust membership – it’s only £10 a month for a family pass and that gets you free entry into the parks and attractions all year round.

Make use of your local leisure centre
At this time of year, most leisure centres have ‘new year, new you’ deals on so make the most of it and sign your family up for a year of badminton games, tennis tournaments and swimming. You might even surprise yourself and find you have a hidden talent.

Go to the beach… No, Seriously!
The beach isn’t just for the summer, the English seaside looks just as beautiful in the winter sun. Take your family on a brisk walk along the beach, and if you’re feeling brave you could even have a quick dip in the sea. Afterwards, you can sit back and enjoy the sea view, warm yourself up again, and reward yourself with some fish and chips… Mind the hungry seagulls though!