Colder weather is the perfect excuse to wrap up warm, head outside and try something new. That’s never more so than after a big Christmas Day lunch, followed by chocolates, and treats. From wintery adventures to active outdoor games, there's so much more to do than just sip hot chocolate (but that’s a wonderful thing to do outdoors too). So done your hats and gloves and put on your Warm Wellies, it’s time to embrace the cold and have some fun outdoor, because Christmas continues to be magical outdoors too.

Great ideas for play in the great outdoors

Stargazing at this time of year is often easier because the skies are often darker and clear if there is a cold frost on the way. It’s the perfect opportunity to go stargazing, checking out the constellations and learning to spot the plough, your star signs and enjoy the Milky Way. A hot flask of hot chocolate would be wonderful too.

Create glowing ice lanterns/suncatchers You don’t need freezing conditions to enjoy suncatchers. Simply gather some natural elements like berries, leaves and twigs and freeze them in shallow water in a container. They make great decorations but remember to add a piece of string to the water so you can hang them from trees. These suncatchers will melt, but it is cold, so they could last all day – and even longer if temperatures are freezing.

The Outdoor Matchbox Challenge – The tiny box for matches might be too small, but a larger box – like Cookes Matches- would fit some special little woodland items, an acorn, a tiny twig, a feather, berries….. see who has the most miniature things when you get back and present them with a treat.

Enjoy a warm picnic. Pack warm food for a winter walk, such as soup or hot chocolate, to keep everyone toasty and head outdoors for the day.

Make a bird feeder Gather some pine cones on your walk, then when you get back, tie a string to the top, smother them in peanut butter and then roll in bird seed until they are well coated. The birds will love it and it doesn't cost the earth.

Winter Scavenger Hunt (we spotted this on www.ourdaysoutdoors.com) It's a great way to become much more alert on your adventures. Using all your senses and ticking the items off as you go: