GET OUTSIDE

Outdoor Skating

For the whole family

➼ Grab a cup of hot chocolate and lace up your skates for a quintessential winter activity. Aberdeen offers two locations for outdoor free skating, with rinks at Lincoln Park and Manor Park open from mid-December to early spring. Admission is free, and skate rental is available for a small fee. Outdoor rinks are open Wednesdays and weekends. For hours and additional information, visit the Parks and Rec website at www.aberdeen.sd.us.

Sledding

For a joy ride

When the kids start feeling antsy, a quick change of scenery might be enough to ward off the winter blues. Try one of these classic activities to get the family out of the house.

STORY TIME For little ones who love a good book

➼ Gather up your little ones ages 2 to 5 and enjoy free story time at K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library. Held every other Wednesday morning, the stories and themes rotate each session, but are all designed using early literacy components to introduce language and books through stories and songs. Supervision is required for this activity. Visit the Library’s website for upcoming story times.

There’s no substitute for fresh air when your children are restless indoors. Bundle up and head into the great outdoors to take full advantage of winter’s daylight hours.

➼ When the weather conditions are just right, you’ll see kids gathering at two sledding hotspots in Aberdeen. On the north side of town, Baird Park’s sledding hill is more than 25 feet tall and attracts sledders of all ages. Parking is available just south of the sledding hill; no snowboards are allowed. For another option, try the sledding hill at Richmond Lake, located just west of the campgrounds.

WINTER FUN DAY A way to try it all

➼ Join the Parks & Rec department on Saturday, February 4 at Manor Park for Winter Fun Day. Kids and adults can try iceskating, cross-country skiing and curling while enjoying free hot chocolate. Visit the Parks & Rec website at www.aberdeen.sd.us for more information.

These activities are just a few of the many options available to parents in Aberdeen throughout the season. When your child starts climbing the walls, try one of these, and remember - spring really will be here eventually. //