By Lauren Funk

Winter break is filled with family visits, but often times we find ourselves sitting around without anything to do. Well, you might be surprised by all the activities that there are out there. Now, you will want to stay away from the mall unless you enjoy the after holiday madness when the stores are cluttered with the leftovers. However, after sitting around eating copious amounts of cookies, I’m sure you will want to get out of the house and be active. If we are lucky enough to get snow this December, then sledding is a perfect winter activity. Sledding, especially when walking up the hill, will burn anywhere from three to four hundred calories per hour, depending upon how much you weigh. Now, if we do not get snow, don’t worry, you can ice skate anytime at the rinks nearby. Skating for an hour can burn around four hundred calories per hour.

If you are up to it, you can skate in New York City’s Rockefeller Center any time. But if you aren’t steady on blades, you could always see the Rockefeller Christmas show. Tickets are at the least fifty dollars, but for a day in New York (an escape from the rural town of Southbury/Middlebury), it is totally worth it. If you are looking to spend a little less money, there are plenty more options. This year, some great movies will be playing in the theaters. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was released on December 16th and is said to be funny and packed with action. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol comes out on December 22st. Also coming out on the 21st is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. We Bought a Zoo comes out on the 23rd, starring Matt Damon and Scarlet Johansson. And on Christmas, War Horse will premiere. So, there are plenty of movies that will be playing and can amuse families with young children and teens.

If you are looking for something more social, try having a scavenger hunt. If you have friends who can drive (legally, of course), then you can put together a list of things that you need to find or buy around town. Make two teams and see who can complete the list. To make it hard, try looking for out of season items or unusual sightings. For example: find level 50 sunscreen, a Hawaiian shirt, flip flops, a two dollar bill, a takeout menu, 50 cents worth of gas, etc. Whatever the list is that you create, try to make it comical and difficult so it is exciting so takes up a lot of time.

If you are feeling rather generous during this giving time of the season, this break is a great opportunity to volunteer your time. Due to the cold temperatures, soup kitchens are always looking for help. But even a simple thing, such as visiting a nursing home or taking the time to send a holiday card to our troops is enough to brighten someone’s day.

Whatever you choose to do, remember it is break. Give yourself some time off from school work and do something that you enjoy doing. Have fun with your friends, be creative, and stay safe.