"Weather" we like it or not, the cold is here to stay for awhile. Even though winter gets a bad wrap, it’s full of fun activities to pass the time until the flowers start popping up from the thawing soil again.

These activities don’t need to break the bank, though! Read on to find your next chilly day inspiration.

Get Creative 

Indulge in arts and crafts. Honestly, this could be broken into hundreds of individual categories! I’m partial to papercrafts, like making handmade greeting cards and bookmarks. My main staples are double sided tape and/or glue, scissors, a paper cutter, and of course, paper.

There’s also jewelry-making, painting, sketching, origami, and so much more. The great thing about crafting is that you can go wild; there are no rules! Paint mountain scenes inside of sea shells. Cover your journal in embroidery. Follow an online pattern for crocheted stuffed animals.

The great thing about crafting in the winter is that as craft fairs and markets open in the spring, you could even make a few bucks off of it!

And another great thing (you can tell I love crafting) is that it doesn’t have to cost much – the Dollar Tree has greatly expanded their craft aisle, and stores like Michaels frequently have coupons online. You can even find some supplies at thrift stores. The options are endless!

Cook or bake. Is there anything better than the smell of cookies in the oven on a chilly day? Baking is another activity that has dwindled in popularity, partly because of a lack of time. And what do we often have too much of in the winter? Time!

Whether you’re good enough to qualify for the Great American Bake Off (which will never be as good as the British one, sorry), or if you’re a complete novice, there’s something out there for you. The good ole internet is overflowing with recipes of all difficulties, and if you prefer a physical recipe to follow, there’s always the local library…

Write a story. Writing doesn't have to be intimidating or structured; just the creative expression of coming up with and writing a story can be a fun pass-time. Throw all adult rules out the window – channel your inner third-grader. Pirate princesses, taco-eating monsters, and human-sized guinea pigs are all welcome.

Even better, get some friends together and take turns writing a story – without seeing what the last person wrote! I’ve done this before; you’ll be laugh-crying when it’s time to read it out loud.

Go on a photography adventure. When was the last time you went out and about with the sole purpose of taking photos? This is a great way to look at the familiar through fresh eyes. You don't need any fancy equipment, either; most smart phones have a decent camera. Unless you're pursuing photography more seriously, that's enough!

Chill Outdoors

Go snowshoeing. If outside adventures are what you seek, snowshoeing may be the answer! Buying them yourself can be quite the investment, but don’t despair – libraries often rent them out for free! It doesn’t hurt to call around and see if your local one does. Then you can hit the trails, breathe in the fresh air, and sweat out your cabin fever jitters.

Take your kids or grandkids sledding. Did you go sledding as a kid? I can still remember the exhilaration as the sled flew down the slope. Why not bring the young people in your life to have the same fun experience?

Go skiing. I had to throw this one in for Eric's sake! Obviously skiing can be costly, but there are ways to minimize the price tag. If you live relatively close to ski resort options, like we do here in New Hampshire, then you're already saving a ton of money on lodging and travel. In addition, if you ski a lot, look into ski passes. They can be a great deal, if you go skiing enough. Then there are the usual suggestions: bring your own food, carpool with friends, and keep an eye out for equipment sales in the off season. 

Another option for lower-cost skiing is backcountry skiing or cross-country skiing. Once you have your own gear and an idea of where to go, you're all set. Avenza Maps is a great resource to find routes available to you. 

Expand Your Mind

Research a topic that interests you. Are you someone that gets excited by diving into a topic and can spend hours devouring new pieces of information? A research project might be perfect for you! Unlike in the long ago days of dreaded school research projects, you have no deadlines, no grading system, and no rules! You can pick your topic. Is it better to grow from seed indoors or buy and plant seedlings later in the year? How did chihuahuas come to be? Why are read and read pronounced differently? Go wild.

Get a library museum pass. Public libraries – they’re a wonderful thing! Another provision many offer is discounted, or even free, passes to local libraries. For example,the Dover libraryoffers half-price passes for the Boston Children’s Museum, a free day pass for New Hampshire State Parks, and free admission for two adults to the Portland Art Museum, to name a few!

Read a book. While on the topic of libraries, winter can be the perfect time to read. Sadly, reading is at a down trend –one surveysaid that only 48.5% of American adults have read a single book within a year. We all have such busy lives, but do we really not have the time to read? Well, according toForbes, the average American spends 68 minutes a day on the top five social media platforms, andStatisticasays that Americans over fifteen-years-old spend almost three hours a day watching tv.

So I ask again, can we really not squeeze in just a little reading time?

Okay – I’m just a little passionate about this subject. I’ll step off my soapbox now. Just, reading is great. Non-fiction, poetry, fantasy, comedy, historical fiction, all wonderful.

And there are so many inexpensive ways to get books, even aside from the most obvious of libraries: thrift shops, yard sales, book sales, Little Free Libraries (find one near you!), even borrowing from a friend.

Set up a Little Free Library. Hey, why not, while we’re talking about it? There are 175,000 so far, and the process is quite simple. You can either build your own, build a kit, or even a pre-built one, put it up, and register it. People can then find it via the Little Free Library mobile app and map. You can find more information onthe official website.

Going back to the little free libraries for a moment – do you know what that is? It’s the small, usually enclosed bookshelves randomly found on the side of the road. Volunteers can decide to build and register a Little Free Library, and then anyone can exchange books from it. There areso manyaround here!Dover alone has eighteen, twenty in Concord, ten in Portsmouth – you get the point.

Take a free online class. There are countless options out there. If you want a quick educational session on just about any topic, Youtube has plenty. For more in-depth courses, check out websites like Coursera or The Open University. I've been learning about SEO, or Search Engine Optimization lately, so if I only had a little bit of time, I might watch this two-hour video on SEO for beginners. However, if I knew I wanted to spend more time learning the nitty-gritty details, I might enroll in Hubspot's SEO Certification Course. Whatever topic that interests you -- from crocheting sweaters to designing a website -- you can find something online. 

Connect with Others

Host a swap. Does your friend group have a common interest? You could trade houseplants, crafting supplies, books – the options are endless! If you want to do a bigger-scale event, you could even host a clothing swap. I've been to many of those, and they're great! Who doesn't like cleaning out clothes and bringing more home for free? 

Propagate plants and give to friends. Do you have houseplants? I have…a few (about thirty, last time I checked). Many popular houseplants, such as pothos, philodendrons, and spider plants, are incredibly easy to propagate, aka grow into entirely new plants. And if you don’t want any more plants? No problem; gift them to friends!

Volunteer. You don't have to give a penny; all you spend volunteering is your time! Animal shelters full of snuggly animals, seniors who could use a friend, and food pantries full of appreciative people. What a nice way to spend some time!

Get together with old friends and family to reminisce over photo albums. Do you enjoy talking about "the good old days"? Maybe back when you and your friends were overly adventurous in college, when your kids were little, or when you went on an unforgettable vacation. Why not get together with the people that lived through those times with you? Soak in the nostalgia as you all laugh over the hairstyles that you thought looked so cool back then, or gain extra appreciation for the days you didn't realize would fly by so fast.

Change Things Up

Try one new grocery item a week. Eating the same food all the time can be boring, but as busy people, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. After all, who has time to search out new recipes and ingredients every week? Not me! That's why this is a great suggestion: try just one new item a week. It doesn't even have to be for a recipe -- even a new snack or fruit to try would shake things up enough. If you pick just one new thing to try a week, then by the end of the year, that's over fifty new things you've tasted!

Find free or inexpensive events in the community. From concerts to craft lessons to author book signings, there are more options out there than people realize. You can usually find out about these events at community areas like the library, town hall, community center, or even small businesses. 

Go thrifting. I love a good thrift store! Of course, this is only as low-cost as you make it to be. In comparison to full prices, though, you can save a lot! Some of my favorite things to buy while thrifting are good-quality clothes, cute trinkets, and books. 

Play tourist for a day. If you're in or around the Seacoast Region, you have just about limitless options for fun day trips, even through the winter. My favorite places for exploration so far are Portsmouth, Kennebunkport, Dover, Kittery, North Conway, Portland, and Cornish, but there are countless more. 

Attend an author event at a bookstore or library. Again, I'm a bit partial, but what's better than a free event where you can support a local creator and possible even find a new interest in the process? And even if it doesn't turn out to be your cup of tea, you can feel the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference in someone's life. They'll always remember each person that came to their events, especially if they're just starting out. 

Look Ahead 

Plan a vacation. If you’ve really got warmer weather on the brain, why not use this time to plan the best vacation yet? If you know you’ll be taking a trip in the summer-time, it’s never too early to research where you’ll go. Not just the city, but even the events, activities, and sights you’ll see. Dig deep!

And if you’re not sure if you’ll be able to actually go on a vacation any time soon, one fun idea is planning your dream vacation. Forget obligations, money, work, or any other constraints, and have fun with it! There’s no harm in indulging in your imagination for a little while.

Map out your garden. Do you spend the warm months outside with your hands always in the dirt? Do you miss those days as the ground freezes up and plants shrivel up? If that's you, then why not start planning out your garden for the next growing season? Dream up your best garden yet, with accessible raised beds, companion plants happily supporting each other, and everyone thriving in the correct level of sunlight. You'll be so engrossed in the world of greenery and foliage that you'll forget the blanket of snow outside.

Need some guidance? There are an abundance of books, articles, and even apps designed to help you maximize your garden layout. 

Get Moving

Walk inside stores. Once the ice coats the pavement, many of us don't want to risk a fall out on a walk. Walking in a store has many of the same benefits, but with much less risk! Some even allow dogs, so Fido can get his exercise in, too. If you live near the Fox Run Mall in Newington, NH, the entire mall is open to walk with your dogs. I also enjoy going to Lowe's and Walmart, but any big store will do! 

Go swimming indoors. Lake and beach swimming may be out of the question (unless you're extremely adventurous!), but that doesn't mean you need to stay out of the water until summer is here again! Some hotels offer swimming passes, as well as the YMCA. Dover even has a public indoor pool. 

Take dancing classes. Dance isn't just for kids; you can find plenty of beginner adult dance classes for all different dance types. The benefits greatly outweigh the discomfort you may have toward dancing in front of stranger, and soon, they wouldn't be strangers anymore, anyway!

Ever seen Shall We Dance with Richard Greer? It's a movie from 2004 about a middle-aged man who feels listless, despite his successful career and loving family, and on a whim decides to join a ballroom dancing class. This seemingly small choice brings a spark back into him, and eventually affects every area of his life. Dancing might not bring such a dramatic change in your life, but it's great exercise and brings some fun into your winter. 

Get a gym membership–and use it. This time of year is perfect for starting to go to the gym. We're no longer as active outside as we had been in warmer months, our natural inclination shifts toward coziness and relaxation instead of productivity, and we often increase our food intake, too. 

These are natural steps our bodies take to protect us in the winter, but that doesn't mean we should entirely give in entirely to hibernation. Gyms are an excellent way to move our bodies, strengthen our muscles and bones, and even lighten our mood. In New England, where we are on equal footing with Alaska as having the highest rates of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), anything that helps lift the mood is a bonus. 

Going to the gym can also be a social event. Why not make a date of it with a friend or relative of yours? Personally, I have the Planet Fitness black card, and that allows me to bring a guest. Every Sunday, my stepmom and I go together. It's a nice tradition, and it's good for us!

The great news is, right around now is when gym memberships often have sign-up deals. Even more money to save!

Utilize Medicare's SilverSneakers Program. Did you know that many Medicare plans have a program called SilverSneakers that provides free access to over 15,000 gyms across the US? If gyms aren't your thing, that's okay; it also covers certain classes, such as Zumba, Yoga, Tai Chi, and more. 

Winter Activities Galore

These budget-friendly suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully they inspired you to try something new! As we head into winter, I hope you're able to stay warm and have some fun.