I love a lot of things about living here in Germany, but one thing I’ve never learned to love is the winter weather. In order to beat the winter blues, I try to get as much Vitamin D and light as possible, but most importantly, I stay active.

Because I have two little ones and work full time, getting active involves working out with the entire family. Fortunately, we’ve come up with quite a few fun ways to get as much exercise as possible during these cold, wet months.

1. Bouldering and climbing in indoor gyms. This has been a long-time passion of mine, but my kids enjoy it as well—even my two-year-old. My five-year-old goes hard at climbing for an hour. Plus, with all the squishy mats meant to catch falls, we mess around doing gymnastic tricks and playing tag until we’re all good and tired.
2. Indoor swimming. If you have an indoor pool nearby, it’s the perfect thing to do on a cold day. Pack some goggles and snacks to fill up an afternoon with your kids in a heated pool.
3. Play in the snow. When the snow does come and stick, we take full advantage and go sledding, build forts, create funny snow creatures and run around the yard having snowball fights.
4. Dance parties. Since it is dark by the time I’m home with the kids on winter work nights, we have fun lighting candles and turning on upbeat music. We dance all around the living room in the dark. For extra special dance nights try using glow sticks.
5. Take a stroll. Even on wet, dark afternoons, I’ll bundle the kids up and we’ll take a stroll through town to pick up fresh veggies or bread for dinner, and then make a stop at the park to feed the ducks. The fresh air and short walk make us all feel happier.

Mandy Byron is a budget analyst, climber, DIY addict, and world traveler who was born in Germany and moved every three years thereafter with her three sisters. She blogs weekly at www.wethreemothers.blogspot.com.  After getting her MPA and working as an environmental consultant, Mandy decided to pursue her passion for traveling and started a federal career in Bavaria, Germany. A few years later and a few moves later, she and her husband, Frank, have returned to the Bavarian countryside with their children, Cooper and Lily.

Imagery provided by Mandy Byron