Winter isn't over yet

Fun activities to stay busy, even in the cold

Groundhog day has come and gone, and Punxsutawney Phil has failed to find his shadow, revealing that this year, we are in for a treat: an early spring. This Pennsylvania legend and tradition date back to the late 19th Century, but Minnesotans know that usually, whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, there will still be six more weeks of winter (and sometimes even more — I’m looking at you, April 2018). We can always hold out hope. In the meantime, here are some fun winter activities to keep you from going stir-crazy over the next few months of continuous cold.

*View from Dew Drop Lounge in the Coeur de Catherine on February 13, 2020. At the time this photo was taken the wind chill temperature was nearly -30℉. Wow.*

For the classic winter do-er

If you grew up in Minnesota, your childhood memory is probably speckled with remembrances of winters full of fun in the snow: snowball fights, building snowmen and making snow angels. Maybe you never experienced snow as a child, but you read about these fun activities in books or saw them in movies. Either way, a person is never too old to have fun in the snow. Here are a few tips to make your next winter outing even more fun: dress up your snow-person to show their personality, remember the best snowballs are made with the stickiest snow, and please please please sled responsibly.

For the Martha Stewart in training

Baking and cooking is a classic activity for those who enjoy winter from indoors. There are millions of recipes out there: Pinterest, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and even Tik Tok offer some fun and easy recipes and kitchen hacks. If it’s too cold to venture outside to the cafeteria or the restaurant down the street, make yourself a healthy dinner. If you do not have a stove or oven and you live on campus, keep in mind that there are full kitchens available in a few residence halls that are open to all students during building hours, such as in the basement of St. Mary Hall and the visitation commons of Rauenhorst-Morrison. Of course, there are plenty of recipes available on the internet that do not require a full kitchen. Try out yummy snacks, and remember that gingerbread and cookies are always in season. If you’re looking for a quick, healthy snack, one of my favorite recipes is my roommate’s protein balls. They are gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. Here’s the recipe:

EASY NO-BAKE PROTEIN BALLS

Ingredients

1 banana (best when ripe)
1 cup oats
⅛ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp chia seeds
2 tsp honey
½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Mash banana, fold in oats. Add peanut butter, mix well. Add chia seeds and honey until mixed in. Add chocolate chips (optional). Ball the mixture into 1-inch balls. The recipe should make roughly a dozen protein balls. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and was given to me by Hannah Guiley.

For the aspiring Winter Olympics athlete

The Olympics are back! Unfortunately, this year we have to wait until summer to watch this global competition. In the meantime, you can make your own games come alive. Go ice skating, play hockey, or try out skiing or snowboarding. Groveland Ice Rinks on St. Clair Avenue offers four rinks and free skate rentals if you want to give ice skating a try! For hours and events, check out their website here. If you’re a hockey fan, get your friends together for a game, or head down to watch the St. Kate’s women’s hockey team play. They will be playing at Hamline University on Friday, February 21 at 5 p.m., and Saturday, February 22 at 2 p.m. Go Wildcats! If skiing or snowboarding is more your forte, there are quite a few places near St. Kate’s that offer reasonable prices such as Como Park Ski Center, Hyland Hills Ski Area, or Buck Hill. Many of these places offer discounted ticket pricing at certain hours and lessons. You’ll be a pro before you know it!

For the inner artist

To spice up your room, decorate your door, or just keep yourself from going stir-crazy, some simple crafts like making paper snowflakes can be wonderful. Buy some paints and a blank canvas and let your creativity flow! If you don’t consider yourself an artist, you can opt for a paint-by-number, which is just as stimulating and can be just as beautiful a finished product. Sketch, learn how to knit, or search up D.I.Y. projects on Pinterest. These activities are great mind-breaks from homework. There are many craft events on campus coming soon, such as the craft night on February 28 at 7 p.m. in the Rauenhorst-Morrison seminar room; we will be making dog toys out of fleece that will later be donated to Second Hand Hounds. Come join to relieve your stress for a good cause!

For the imaginative mind

Read a book! Watch a movie! Do a puzzle! Create a playlist or a workout! There are so many different ways to keep yourself busy and satisfied without stepping foot outside. These activities can stimulate your brain and allow you to escape to a different place where the snow is not falling and it isn’t -20°F outside. If you decide to start a workout, there are many apps that assist you in doing and creating at-home workouts. Plyo is an app that uses location to sense when you are at the Butler Center and gives you points for being there! These points can be used to redeem gift cards and restaurant coupons. Happy Plyo-ing!

If you’ve had enough

If none of these strategies work for you, consider getting out of town for a few days. Spring break is fast approaching, which is a great opportunity to plan a quick getaway with friends! If you do not have the time or money to escape the northland, consider studying abroad during J-term next year, but plan well in advance. Applications for January 2021 Study Abroad open on April 1, and there are limited spots in each class.

No matter who you are, there is plenty of fun to keep you occupied until the snow melts and the flowers bloom. Hold fast, Wheel readers. You got this.