Is there anything better than a freshly fallen snow? The crisp, clean air, and the crunch of snow beneath your boots? Cold cheeks and cold hands can't lose when it comes to snowy, fun family activities. Perhaps your group's go-to activity is sledding on your own property, soaring down a backyard hill or shoveling your own snowy slope for a faster ride. Or perhaps taking an evening walk through your neighborhood, looking at all the holiday lights and the glimmer of icicles in the sunset glow. While there are many ways to add some variety to your usual activities, there's something to be said about the tried-and-true. Sometimes, an activity doesn't need any tweaking. Being able to step into an unchanged activity that's free from any anxiety or pressure feels just perfect, especially in our complicated times. So, hold some space for normalcy, even if it's just in a few sledding runs down your front lawn.

No matter the activity, it's wonderful to step out into the bright sunlight or dash out into the nighttime air under the stars. If you've felt cooped up indoors and are perhaps feeling sad about not being able to venture out to your normal destinations right now, going outside to play is like traveling to another land. It's transformed by snow and by light. It feels different -- refreshing and soul-quenching.

Some snowy activities provide a great reason to gather your family from their separate spaces in your home and away from the screens that may distract them for a togetherness activity that boosts closeness and laughter.

And being outside can boost your family's healthy mood, mindset and physical health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day for children ages 5 and up, including aerobic, muscle-building and bone-strengthening exercise. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's ChooseMyPlate.gov says that healthy levels of activity and play need not happen all at once, either. Health benefits can come from shorter bursts of activity several times a day. Given cold air and wet clothing from active play, it's beneficial to warm up regularly. There are plenty of more opportunities to return outside for fresh winter fun.

Here are some ideas for snowy family fun:

*Snowball Target Throwing

Not everyone relishes the idea of a snowball fight. If you have family members who dislike the speed and fear involved in such an activity, take the fighting part away and create targets for throwers to hit. They could be empty soda cans taken from your recycling bin and lined up on a fence. They could be empty water bottles suspended from tree branches with a strong S-hook. Your family members can take turns coming up with ideas for target placement, and everyone can take turns throwing snowballs at the targets.

*Winter Nature Walk

Writer Jeanette Hurt suggested that some local park, nature center or township events departments plan and perhaps have experts lead walks or hikes. As you embark upon a nature walk in winter, you may see various types of birds whose migration takes them through your area during this time. You could also see impressive waterfalls still roaring, and rivers flowing and shimmering in the winter sun. Download a booklet to identify animal tracks so that you can see what's been taking the same walks as you. Try different nature walks in nearby areas for variety.

*Building Snow Creatures

Don't stop at a snowman. As a family, create a snowdragon or snowmermaids; snowpuppies or snowsasquatch. Get mystical and artistic with each day's sculptures, and take photos for a record of this winter's snow art. "We planned a neighborhood snow sculpture art show," said Kathy Jean, a mom of three in Washington, D.C. "We invited neighborhood families to build snow creatures on their own lawns, and then all the other neighbors walked around to see their work and judge winners who then got certificates and prizes, like baskets of s'mores-making supplies."

*STEM Activities

"STEM" stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Linsey Knerl, author of "Homeschooling Hacks: How to Give Your Kid a Great Education Without Losing Your Job (Or Your Mind)," said, "As homeschoolers, we do lots of snow STEM activities. We make snow volcanoes, measure the amount of water in a volume of snow by piling snow into a bowl and everyone guesses what the measurement will be when it melts. The best guess gets a prize." Knerl talked also about expanding a snowman: "Decorate a plastic gallon bag with eyes, a nose and buttons with markers. Fill with snow and add a couple of Alka-Seltzer tabs before sealing. Place in a waterproof area (tub works best) and watch the snowman grow!"

*Photography Competition

Family members of all ages can set out together or in groups to take photos of pretty sights in nature. Perhaps you can capture a doe and fawn at the edge of the woods, a brightly colored bird on a fence post, super-long icicles, a bright mitten in the snow or any other eye-catching subject of a great photograph. At a certain time, the contest ends, everyone uploads their favorite photos to a photo-sharing site just for your group, and the judges of your competition award prizes for "Most Original," "Best Use of Color," "Best Photo of The Family Pet" and so on.

*Stargazing

A clear night may be just the motivation needed to gather everyone outside to look at the stars, spot constellations, look for meteors during a meteor shower or use the telescope to see planets that NASA and various planetarium websites direct you to. There's a wealth of stargazing information online, and you get to visit far-away planetariums and observatories. "We watched a space and stars documentary on TV and then went outside with pillows and blankets to do our own stargazing," says Asia DeGuerre, mom of two and aunt of five, on leading a skywatch family night.

As always, make safety your number one priority. Avoid dangerous activities, such as jumping from a height into a pile of snow or sledding out into the street. Be on the lookout for frostbite. Take a timer and bring everyone inside for hot cocoa and warming-up time. Use sunscreen.

Winter snowy fun can be had by all. Cap it off with an evening by the fire, reading a snow-themed children's book together, enjoying some treats and relishing these warm family moments.