For the family that loves the outdoors, there is no reason to head indoors during the winter. And one of the most fun and adventurous things you can do as a family is to go geocaching. And yes -- you can even participate during the winter.

What is Geocaching?
If you have a GPS system, you can participate in geocaching. Geocachers make lists of landmarks in a number of local areas, as well as special caches, where you can visit. The idea is to use your GPS system to locate the cache. In many cases, there is a small sign up that you can enter your name on. In other cases, you can take a family photo by the designated landmark and then upload it to a special Web page. In any case, geocaching can be a fun family activity that allows you to learn more about your local area.

During the winter, geocaching can be even more fun. You can use snowshoes, skis or snowmobiles to reach some geocaching locations. Or, if you start out in town, all you need is your car and some warm clothing. Play in the snow after you reach the geocache destination or build a snowman to mark your place.

It can be a good idea to make your geocaching experience educational. Talk about the landmark or the area in which the geocache is located. You can also learn about using GPS to find what you are looking for. This can also be a good chance to talk about other methods of navigation, including maps and using a compass. Also, talk about outdoor survival and what to do if you get lost somewhere.

Geocaching can be more than just a one-time thing. It can be a family hobby and recurring activity. It is something that you can use to build memories. And once you find all of the geocaches in your local area, you can start branching out while on family vacations -- or even add your own geocache locations.

One of the most unique activities that you can participate in is snowshoeing. This is a fun winter family activity that can be accomplished by parents and children of a variety of ages. Indeed, snowshoeing is something that younger children can do. It has been said that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. It is a great opportunity to introduce your kids to fun outdoor winter activities. Additionally, snowshoeing can be a great forerunner to skiing. If you want to introduce your kids to skiing down the road, snowshoeing is a good start. You can even use poles to make it easier to get through the snow.

Snowshoeing can also be incorporated into sledding. Bring your sleds and use the snowshoes to help you climb the hill more easily. Then enjoy riding the sled downhill. In fact, bringing a sled is a good idea, since the kids might get tired after an hour or so. (And an hour is about right for young kids and outdoor winter activities.)

Also, it is worth noting (during these times of economic turmoil) that snowshoeing is also a relatively inexpensive. You can get pairs of snowshoes for between $100 and $300. Renting snowshoes is also inexpensive. Perhaps you should try snowshoeing as a family, and if you enjoy it, consider buying the shoes for outings down the road. Snowshoeing is often less expensive than skiing -- especially for larger families. And, of course, skiing can be difficult for the very young.

Another nice thing about snowshoeing, especially if you own your own shoes, is that you can go out near your home after a fresh snowfall. When you get snowed in, strap on the snowshoes and watch how your neighborhood becomes a different and adventure-filled place to explore. Plus, you'll be nearby so that you can go in and enjoy some hot chocolate or make some cookies when your adventure ends.