Our Top 10 Winter Activities: Recommendations for Freebirds

Embracing Cold-Weather Months with Engaging Activities

As winter rolls in and temperatures drop, we often find ourselves spending more time indoors, which can bring about a mix of comfort and cabin fever. For adults over 50, winter is an ideal time to reconnect with hobbies, take on new skills, and start planning for the year ahead. Rather than viewing winter as a season of waiting, it can be transformed into a time of personal growth, connection, and fun with enriching activities that make the season fly by. Here are some enjoyable, stimulating winter activities that can keep your mind sharp, your spirits high, and even prepare you for future adventures.

1. Learn a New Language Online or In the Classroom

Language Learning Online

One of the best ways to escape the winter doldrums is to set your sights on something exciting: the possibility of future travel. Learning a new language can transport you to another culture and help you prepare for upcoming trips, all from the comfort of home. Rosetta Stone, a well-known language-learning platform, makes it easy and engaging for beginners and experienced learners alike to dive into a new language.

Imagine immersing yourself in conversational Spanish, Italian, or even Japanese before your next trip abroad. Rosetta Stone’s intuitive approach combines reading, writing, listening, and speaking, so you’ll be equipped with the basics to navigate markets, ask for directions, or even make new friends in another language. This is not only a useful skill for travel but also a rewarding way to keep your mind sharp and engaged. Plus, the cognitive benefits of language learning—like improved memory and enhanced problem-solving—make it an ideal winter pastime for those looking to stay mentally active.

Language Immersion Travel

Learning a new language becomes a transformative experience when you immerse yourself fully in the culture and country where it’s spoken. This method goes beyond textbooks and classroom settings, offering real-world, practical exposure that accelerates your language acquisition. Living in the country gives you daily opportunities to engage with native speakers in authentic contexts, from ordering food at local markets to navigating public transportation or making new friends.

Immersion forces you to step outside your comfort zone and adapt quickly, helping you pick up vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation naturally. You’ll hear the language as it’s truly spoken, including idioms, slang, and regional accents, which are rarely covered in traditional courses. Moreover, cultural immersion deepens your understanding of the language by connecting words to traditions, values, and ways of life, making your learning more meaningful and memorable.

Beyond the language itself, immersion helps build confidence and fosters a sense of belonging. Whether it’s enjoying local festivals, attending community events, or sharing meals with locals, each experience strengthens both your linguistic skills and cultural appreciation. By living the language and not just learning it, you gain fluency faster and form lifelong connections with the people and culture that make it unique.

Two Language Immersion courses or programs we recommend in Italy and Spain are the following:

Pueblo Espanol by Diverbo

Pueblo Español is a unique 8 day Spanish immersion course held in different locations in Spain. Students fly into Madrid and travel with the school (and their native language tutors) to a small village where they proceed to be completely immersed in Spanish (with no English spoken at all) for 8 days. While this program may appear pricier than taking courses at a language school in Spain it includes both 4 star hotel accommodation as well as all meals for the 8 days, some outings and excursions, and transportation from and back to Madrid.

**If you are a Freebird Club member please visit the Member Partner Offers space inside our Members-only community to get more information on special offers from this business for Freebird Club members.

Dilit International (Italy)

Dilit is an Italian language school in Rome that has been teaching students since 1974. They’ve taught over 40,000 students of 70 different nationalities.

**If you are a Freebird Club member please visit the Member Partner Offers space inside our Members-only community to get more information on special offers from this business for Freebird Club members.

2. Take an Online Course

Winter is a fantastic time to indulge your curiosity, and online courses offer endless options for personal growth. Whether you want to explore art history, learn to code, delve into photography, or deepen your knowledge in areas like nutrition or psychology, there’s a course out there for you. Sites like Udemy, Coursera, and MasterClass offer thousands of classes on virtually any subject you can imagine, many of which you can take at your own pace.

For adults over 50, online courses are a low-pressure, convenient way to keep learning. Some platforms even offer peer discussion groups where you can connect with others who share your interests. If you’re unsure where to begin, think about a hobby you’ve always wanted to explore or an interest you’d like to revisit. With so many subjects available, you can spend your winter expanding your mind, meeting new people (even virtually), and gaining skills that may prove useful down the line.

3. Take a Cooking Class

Whether you love cooking or simply enjoy a good meal, winter is the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen. Cooking classes, available both online and in-person, provide a chance to hone your culinary skills and learn exciting new recipes. If you’re in the mood to socialize, check out local cooking classes at community centers or culinary schools. Many cities offer themed classes, such as Italian pasta-making, sushi rolling, or French patisserie, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in different cuisines without leaving your hometown. Or, if you’re looking for an excuse to travel you can plan a trip around a cooking course, such as a cooking or cheesemaking course in Tuscany, Provence, or Paris.

For those who prefer the comfort of home, online cooking classes from providers like America’s Test Kitchen, MasterClass, and Sur La Table are accessible and thorough, covering everything from basic techniques to advanced recipes. Taking a cooking class is not only fun but also adds a social component, as you can connect with classmates virtually or in person. And at the end, you’ll have a delicious reward to enjoy as well as a new recipe to share with friends or family at your next gathering.

4. Organize a Game Night

For a cozy, nostalgic way to socialize this winter, why not organize a board game night? This could be a small gathering at home with friends and family, or you could set it up at a local pub or cafe, giving others a chance to join in and make new connections. Many pubs and coffee shops are happy to accommodate groups for game nights, adding a warm, communal atmosphere to your evening.

Choose classic games like Scrabble, Monopoly, or Clue, or try newer, cooperative games like Codenames or Pandemic for a refreshing challenge. A game night can be a fun way to explore new, unfamiliar games or enjoy your classic favorites.

5. Travel to a Warmer Region

If the winter cold starts to wear on you, there’s nothing like a sunny getaway to lift your spirits. Traveling to a warmer region, whether for a quick escape or a longer stay, can help break up the season and give you something to look forward to.

Freebird Club offers a unique way to connect with like-minded travelers and experience destinations like Portugal, Spain, Australia, or California from a local’s perspective.

As a Freebird Club member, you can book homestays with fellow members, allowing you to explore new destinations while enjoying friendly, affordable accommodations. This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, experience a different culture, and spend some time basking in warm weather. It’s an ideal way to recharge, whether you’re looking for beach days, cultural outings, or simply a sunny escape from winter.

6. Start or Attend a Book Club

Winter is prime reading season, making it an ideal time to either join a book club or start your own. A book club not only provides motivation to read but also brings people together to discuss literature, exchange ideas, and form lasting connections. If you’re not sure where to find a book club, many local libraries or bookstores host monthly meetings, often featuring popular fiction, nonfiction, or classics.

If you prefer the virtual route, there are many online book clubs where you can join discussions from home. Social media groups, platforms like Goodreads, and online communities on sites like Meetup provide a wide range of reading groups. Whether you enjoy contemporary novels, biographies, or even poetry, book clubs are a warm, cozy way to engage with others and deepen your appreciation of literature.

7. Plan Your Spring and Summer Travel

As winter settles in, it’s a wonderful time to start planning your spring and summer adventures. Not only does travel planning give you something to look forward to, but it’s also a chance to explore new ideas, research destinations, and create an itinerary that suits your interests. Whether you’re considering a road trip, a beach vacation, or a cultural tour, planning now can help you book the best accommodations and activities.

You might start by thinking about destinations that align with your hobbies or bucket list items. Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of visiting historical sites in Europe, exploring national parks, or attending a music festival. Researching these ideas now can help you build an itinerary that covers all your must-see spots. Additionally, many travel agencies offer early booking discounts, so winter planning could save you money on spring and summer trips.

By organizing these travel plans now, you’re setting yourself up for an exciting year ahead. The anticipation of upcoming trips can add a sense of excitement to the winter months, giving you something wonderful to look forward to as you go through the season.

Looking to connect with travel buddies to meet up with while traveling or to plan trips with? Freebird Club may be for you. Our global, social, travel club for over 50s connects adults over 50 who love to travel. Sign Up to learn more.

Conclusion: Making the Most of Winter

While winter might traditionally be seen as a quieter, slower season, it’s full of potential for adults looking to enrich their lives, connect with others, and learn something new. Whether you’re brushing up on your language skills with Rosetta Stone, diving into an online course, savoring new recipes in a cooking class, or spending an evening with friends over board games, winter offers countless ways to stay engaged and make the most of this time of year.

By embracing a mix of social, intellectual, and leisurely activities, you can fill winter with enjoyment, growth, and a sense of purpose. So, this winter, rather than letting the season slip by, seize the opportunity to try something new and inspiring. It might just become your favorite season yet.