Greensboro, NC, is a great place to have fun all year long.

Spring, summer, and fall are all full of activities you can do alone, with your significant other, or as a family—festivals, craft fairs, and concerts are easy to track down almost any weekend you have spare time. When the chill sets in, however, it can be hard to think of activities to do. Thankfully, Greensboro is a lively city with plenty to do during the winter. Here are some ideas that will help you to avoid feeling cooped up or bored this winter in Greensboro.

Spend time outside.

Ideally, everyone should get 10 to 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight each day; this helps you get the vitamin D that you need, and can help fight off the winter gloom that many of us know so well. So when it’s not too cold, try to get outside for a little bit. You can go on a walk in your neighborhood or you can do more involved activities, like skiing or hiking. The mountains are beautiful at any time of year, especially when they’re capped with snow. You’ll be able to enjoy nature and get some exercise, and sitting down with a mug of hot cocoa at the end of the day will feel that much more relaxing. Getting outside and being active will also go a long way towards fighting off cabin fever.

Have a game night.

When it’s too cold to do anything outside during winter in Greensboro, a great way to keep yourself entertained is to have a game night. There are so many great games out there nowadays—you don’t have to stick to typical board games if you don’t want to! There are many games available that will get you up and moving, competing in new ways, or even working together towards a goal. Whether you’re a single college student or married with kids, a few unique games and good company makes for a wonderful evening.

Regardless of who you play with, a game night is a great way to make the most of being stuck inside where it’s warm; it’s hard to be bored when you’re busy trying to figure out which of your friends is bluffing. It’s also a great chance to spend time with your friends or family, as laughter has a way of bringing you closer—even if you’re mercilessly trying to crush each other to win the game.

Try ice skating.

It’s easy to see why ice skating is a popular activity whenever it’s winter in Greensboro. You don’t have to be good at ice skating to enjoy it—it’s fun whether you’re speeding around the rink at breakneck speeds or falling down every few minutes. And while it’s certainly exercise, it’s much more entertaining than going to the gym. It’s refreshing to get out of the house and do something that is both active and fun. Additionally, there are plenty of ice skating rinks to choose from; if you’d rather be out of the wind, you can choose an indoor ice skating rink instead of an outdoor one.

Clean out your closet.

This isn’t a particularly fun suggestion, but it’s a great idea to clean out your closet when it’s winter in Greensboro —and perhaps your dresser—during the slower winter months. You’ll be able to get rid of clothes that you don’t wear anymore, clearing out space for new clothes and keeping your house looking neat. Listening to music or a podcast while you work will help you stay entertained as you sort through your clothes. It might be a little work, but you can go to bed with a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it’ll be done when spring arrives, so you won’t have to spend a warm spring afternoon stuck inside.

Make a gingerbread house.

If you have kids, they’ll absolutely love making a gingerbread house together. You can either bake the gingerbread cookies yourself or you can buy them to save yourself some time. No matter what you do, making a gingerbread house is going to make a mess, but it’s a fun family activity that allows you to spend time with your kids and encourages them to be creative. Don’t forget to find the time to visit your family dentist even during winter in Greensboro, though, as eating too much of the gingerbread house can cause problems with your / your kids’ teeth.

Tour the Christmas lights.

If you love looking at beautiful or over-the-top Christmas lights, Greensboro is a great place to be. There are many fantastic places in town you can go to look at the lights—all without spending a dime! To be honest, Christmas is an expensive season, so finding an inexpensive Christmas activity can feel like a godsend. You can view the lights for as long as you want, and you can always find somewhere to warm up if you get too cold.

Go sledding.

When we get enough snowfall, sledding is almost a requirement in Greensboro. There are so many perfect sledding hills—even if you don’t have a hill to sled down in your yard, many local parks, like Brown Bark Park, have plenty of hills to choose from. Your children will be ecstatic at the chance to go sledding, and it’s a family activity that everyone will enjoy. Plus, your kids will likely exhaust themselves with so much excitement, gifting you a nice, quiet afternoon even if the kids have the day off school. If you don’t have a sled, don’t worry. Large plastic lids, boogie boards, and even cardboard covered with a trash bag will do just fine in a pinch.

Read a good book.

As we get older, life has a way of getting busier. If you used to love reading but haven’t had the time or energy to sit and read like you once did, take advantage of your time off during the holidays. Allow yourself to sit, relax, and read a good book. It’s a simple, easy way to relax and enjoy yourself, regardless of the weather outside.

While the cold weather can make you feel bored and cooped up inside, there are plenty of ways you can make the most of this winter. When you’d rather be inside, you can use the chance to relax or spend time with your family. If you’re fighting cabin fever, however, Greensboro has plenty of activities for you—indoors and outdoors—from hiking or ice skating to looking at Christmas lights. Regardless of the weather, you can make the most of this winter by exploring the city despite the cold, and spending your time indoors growing closer to the people you care about.