Mindful Winter Walks: Explore Nature with Your Children

While the winter months may be cold and wet, there’s still plenty to enjoy in your local woodlands. Wrap up warm, pack a flask of hot chocolate, and take a mindful winter walk with your children. The woods in winter can feel magical—everything looks different with frost on the ground, and the bare trees seem to tell stories of past seasons.

A Fun and Festive Woodland Activity

You can download my free children's colouring sheet, inspired by a double-page spread I illustrated for the Positive Wellbeing Zine for Mums a couple of years ago. Take it with you on your winter walk, using it as a fun checklist to spot all the things you encounter along the way. Or, save it for a rainy winter's day and let your children colour it in as a creative indoor activity. You can download it for free right here!

Engage All of Your Senses

Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, and Touch and fully immerse yourself in the winter woodlands, adding a festive twist to your adventure. The simple act of walking through the woods can become an exciting treasure hunt for children, as you search for all the little wonders of the season.

Smell

Smell the fresh, crisp scent of pine trees. This traditional Christmas smell is often found in festive candles and potpourri, and it’s the perfect way to start your winter walk. Take a deep breath and let the cool, earthy air fill your lungs.

Sight

Look out for holly trees, another Christmas classic. The holly’s bright red berries stand out against the green leaves, making it look like the trees are decorated just for the season. These berries are also really important for wildlife—they help feed the birds and small animals who need extra food during the winter months. Maybe you can spot a bird nibbling on a berry!

Sound

Listen for robins singing. These little birds are famous for their bright red chests and cheerful songs, even in the cold winter. They are one of Britain’s most beloved birds and often appear on Christmas cards and decorations. Their songs can feel like a little gift of happiness on a cold day, so keep your ears open and see if you can hear them chirping above.

Touch

Touch the fallen pine cones, spruce, and winter berries, feeling the different textures. The roughness of a pine cone, the softness of spruce needles, and the smoothness of winter berries. You can collect some of these treasures to create your own Christmas wreath at home. But be careful not to take too many—leave some behind for the squirrels and birds that need them for food.

Taste

Taste and savour the warmth of sweet hot chocolate as you relax after your mindful winter walk. You can enjoy it as you sit together with your family, talking about all the things you saw. The perfect way to end your winter adventure in the woods.

Share the Magic of Your Winter Walks

After I close my little shop/studio up for the night, I love to wander through the woods, noticing the everyday magic of the changing seasons. It’s such an inspiration for my Woodland Collection and a much needed boost for my health and wellbeing too. I often share these little woodland 'glimmers' on Instagram stories (you can also find them saved in my highlights). If you head out on a winter walk, I’d love to see what you discover in your local woodland or park—and, of course, your little one’s winter colouring sheet! Please share your woodland adventures with me on Instagram, and don’t forget to tag me @carlagebharddesigns. I can’t wait to see them!