The cold weather is here, and with it comes the urge to hibernate. But there are ways to use your backyard in the winter that will keep you feeling warm and cozy while still enjoying the outdoors.
Here are some ideas for how to use your backyard this winter:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Winter doesn’t have to mean the end of outdoor living; there are plenty of ways to use your backyard during the colder months. |
| You can prepare your backyard for winter by adding heating elements, creating a winter garden, or even hosting a movie night. |
| Building a support system after experiencing grief and loss can be difficult, but finding strength in community can make a big difference. |
| If you choose to bury your pet in your backyard, make sure to bury it deep enough to properly protect the remains and ensure the area is safe for other animals. |
| Creating an outdoor living space that you can enjoy during the winter season is possible by adding cozy seating, fire elements, and winter plants and decorations. |
Ice Rink
Once you’ve decided to make a rink, your first step will be to clear off the surface. Using a shovel or broom, move snow from the area where you want your rink and place it in another part of your yard (if possible) so that it doesn’t get tracked back into your house.
Once this is done, lay out a tarp on top of the cleared area. You can use any kind of tarp; just make sure it’s thick enough to prevent cracks or holes from developing in your ice once frozen.
Lay out something else over this: cardboard works well as does old carpeting or blankets if you’re feeling fancy! This will act as insulation for when water freezes atop it later.
Now comes time for watering down! Grab an old hose (you’ll want one with good quality plastic coating) and start spraying water onto all sides of the tarp until everything underneath is soaked through completely this should take about 5 minutes total depending on how large an area you’re covering with water sprayer.
Movie nights are a perfect way to enjoy your backyard during the winter season. “Gather your friends and family, grab some blankets and popcorn, and create a cozy outdoor theater. Check out our guide on how to do backyard movie night for some easy tips and inspiration.
Snow Sculptures
There are many fun and creative ways to use your backyard during the winter months. One idea that is sure to keep you entertained is making a snow sculpture.
Snow sculptures can be made in many different shapes, sizes and with different themes. You can make a snowman or angel, or even create a sculpture of your favorite celebrity or animal!
Make sure to keep an eye on the weather before building your masterpiece so that it won’t melt before you’re ready for it!
Bonfire
It’s important to remember that you should never burn anything that isn’t safe to burn. This includes dry leaves, cigarette butts, plastic, or any other type of non-organic matter.
In addition to this rule, you should also avoid using flammable liquids such as kerosene or gas in your bonfire.
These liquids will increase the likelihood of an explosion if they come into contact with sparks from your firewood.
While it may seem like common sense not to leave a fire unattended, I’ve seen plenty of people who don’t do this and end up burning down their own house!
You should also avoid building your bonfire on windy days. Wind can cause embers from the flames to spread and start fires elsewhere in your yard (or even worse!) far away from where you live!
If there are any trees or other objects nearby that might catch fire due to heat from the burning wood chips then make sure there is enough space between them so they won’t be harmed by too much heat exposure either!
Don’t let the cold weather keep you from enjoying your backyard. “There are plenty of ways to use your outdoor space during the winter season. From adding a fire pit to creating a winter garden, check out our guide on how to use your backyard in the winter to learn more.
Bird Feeder
If you’re interested in attracting birds to your backyard, consider getting a bird feeder. The first step is choosing which type of feeder works best for your circumstances.
If you have little time or energy to devote to maintaining the feeder or if you don’t want to deal with any mess or cleanup consider getting an automatic feeder.
Automatic feeders are easy because they require no work on your part once installed. They also often come with built-in perches and other features that make them more comfortable for birds than traditional hanging bird feeders.
However, these automated models are usually more expensive than regular ones, so if money is tight, it may be worth considering another option (or putting off buying one until later in the winter).
If money isn’t an issue and/or if maintenance isn’t a problem for you (and most people) then traditional hanging models might be better suited to your situation since they tend not only attract more species but also offer greater control over how often you will refill them compared with automated ones which need refilling every few hours depending on how much food they hold
Put Up A Teepee For The Kids:
I would highly recommend putting a teepee in your backyard for the kids. It’s not just a fun space to play and sleep in, but it can also be used as a fort, reading nook, or playhouse! Teepees are very easy to assemble.
You just need two trees or posts that are at least 18 feet apart (or you can use poles if there aren’t any trees around). Then you simply tie ropes from one tree/post to another until you have created a circle.
Next trim off any excess rope so that it hangs down evenly from each point of contact between the rope and pole (this keeps the tent from collapsing). Finally add some extra pieces of fabric around the edge so that it looks finished when viewed from all sides!
Backyard sand pits are not just for summer fun. “With a few adjustments, you can transform your sand pit into a winter wonderland for your kids. Check out our guide on how to build a backyard sand pit for some easy tips and tricks.
Plant Some Evergreens Or Potted Plants Under Frost Cloth;
If you want to grow plants in the winter, consider investing in some frost cloth. Frost cloth is a great way to protect your plants from cold temperatures and prevent them from dying.
It can be used on its own or with other methods of winter gardening, like planting trees that are native to your region.
When choosing which plants to plant under frost cloth, look for varieties that are tolerant of freezing temperatures. Some examples include:
- Evergreens such as spruce trees and pine cones (good source of firewood)
- Potted plants like hibiscus flowers
Make Your Own Snow Globe
If you want to make a snow globe, gather up some craft supplies and put them in a glass jar. Fill the jar with water and glitter, then add your figurine. Finally, place it near a window where it will catch all the pretty light!
Losing a pet can be one of the hardest experiences. “If you choose to bury your pet in your backyard, it’s important to know how deep to bury a dog. Our guide can provide some helpful tips on how to properly lay your pet to rest.”
Hang Some String Lights To Create That Magical Winter Wonderland Feel;
With outdoor string lights, you can create a magical winter wonderland in your backyard. The best part is that you don’t need to hire a professional to hang the lights for you—you can do it yourself!
To hang your own string lights, start by measuring and marking where all of the bulbs should go along the cord. You’ll want to leave about 8 inches between each bulb so there’s plenty of room for them to shine brightly without overlapping too much.
Next, attach clips at every other bulb along both sides of the cord using zip ties or duct tape (we recommend zip ties because they’re easier).
This will make sure that when someone walks by they won’t accidentally pull any bulbs out of place!
Finally, find an outlet somewhere close by (inside if possible) and plug those suckers in! Some people like keeping their lights on all night; others prefer turning them off at bedtime—it’s up to you!
Warm up the Cold Ground With a Rug
If your backyard is a bit on the chilly side, consider laying down a rug to add some warmth and comfort. Rugs are also a great way to add color and style to any space! They can be used in all sorts of areas, from playrooms to bathrooms to entryways.
You’ll find rugs available in every shape, size, pattern and material imaginable from plain wool runners that barely take up any floor space at all to giant shaggy carpets you’d have trouble finding an end for if you tried.
Rugs come in all shapes and sizes so there’s bound to be one that fits your needs perfectly!
Landscaping can be the key to fully enjoying your backyard year-round. “If you’re wondering how much it costs to fully landscape a backyard, our guide can provide some insight into the costs involved in creating a beautiful outdoor space. From design to installation, learn more about the different factors that impact the overall cost.
Curl Up In A Hanging Chair With a Blanket And Book
Hanging chairs are perfect for enjoying the outdoors when it’s cold out. There are several different types of hanging chairs available on Amazon, from hammocks to swings and more. Many of them can be hung up in trees or on porches, making them perfect for reading your favorite book or just enjoying some much-needed downtime.
Use Your Wood-Fired Hot Tub For Sauna Time
A hot tub can be a great way to relax, but many people don’t use them as much in the winter. If you’re looking for something fun to do during the cold months of winter and want to take advantage of your backyard space, think about using it as a sauna!
The first thing that comes to mind when we think of saunas is Finland, where they apparently love their saunas so much they even have them built into their houses.
But we’re not going there today because I don’t want anyone getting too jealous and demanding their own Finnish-style sauna right away (you know how those Finns are).
Instead, let’s turn our attention toward America: specifically Minnesota and Wisconsin where people like to take regular dips in their hot tubs or jacuzzis after spending a long day outdoors bundled up under layers upon layers of sweaters, scarves and hats.
Don’t Let The Cold Weather Keep You From Enjoying Your Backyard
Don’t let the cold weather keep you from enjoying your backyard.
Ice rink:
Use an ice rink to host a winter party or even just for some family fun! Just make sure to cover it up when not in use, otherwise you’ll end up with a giant puddle.
Snow sculptures:
Snow sculptures can be used as decoration and also as something fun to do outside on those long cold days (or nights). Have everyone draw out what they want their snow sculpture to look like before starting so that everyone is on the same page. It could be anything from a snowman, flowers, animals etc..
You can also add lights if desired. I prefer using white lights instead of colored ones because they look more striking against the vibrant light blue color of my eyeshadow palette built for summertime activities such as swimming laps at night during daylight hours when sunlight filters
through clouds overhead along with falling stars shooting across open skies above mountains where trees grow tall but still provide shade from sunshine due their thick branches reaching high up into air above us all as we travel down roadways surrounded by nature’s beauty which surrounds us all around us everywhere!
Conclusion
I hope that you get inspired to create some of these amazing winter backyard ideas for yourself. It doesn’t take much to create a nice space to enjoy the cold weather, and these ideas can be used year-round.
Further Reading
To prepare your backyard for the winter season, check out this guide from Install It Direct.
Get some inspiration for your winter backyard activities with these 11 ideas from Quality Built Exteriors.
Learn how to create an outdoor living space that you can enjoy in the winter season with this guide from Veranda.
FAQs
How can I use my backyard during the winter season?
There are many ways to use your backyard during the winter season. You can add a fire pit or outdoor heater, create a winter garden, or even host a movie night. Check out our guide on how to use your backyard in the winter for more ideas.
What are some easy tips for building a backyard sand pit for winter?
To build a backyard sand pit for winter, consider using a wooden sandbox that you can cover with a tarp or create a raised bed using stone or brick. Check out our guide on how to build a backyard sand pit for more tips.
How can I properly lay my pet to rest in my backyard?
If you choose to bury your pet in your backyard, it’s important to know how deep to bury a dog to ensure that the remains are properly protected and the area is safe for other animals. Check out our guide on how deep to bury a dog for more information.
How much does it cost to fully landscape a backyard?
The cost of fully landscaping a backyard depends on several factors, including the size of the space, the materials used, and the complexity of the design. Check out our guide on how much it costs to fully landscape a backyard for more information on the different factors that can impact the overall cost.
What are some outdoor living space ideas for winter?
To create an outdoor living space that you can enjoy during the winter season, consider adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, adding cozy seating with outdoor cushions and blankets, and incorporating winter plants and decorations. Check out our guide on outdoor living spaces in winter for more ideas.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.
