Find yourself needing a second winter coat to wear over your first winter coat during this cold snap?! Cold temperatures this week – and forecasts of lower mercury levels arriving on the weekend – have us researching alternative ways to keep active and stay sane during the holiday season.

Top choice: The Walnut Grove Community Centre

Ahhh… the warm air hits you when you walk in the door. With a packed schedule of drop-in classes and open-swim hours at the pool, you can (yes, you can!) fit in a quick workout between work and holiday errands. Click here to view the schedule.

Young Kids Choice: Indoor Games

When I was a kid we had to spend every recess outdoors and walk 4km to school, uphill both ways! Either times have changed or I sound more and more like my grandfather every day. Regardless – this is a cool website with ideas of how to entertain young children at home when it’s too cold to send them outdoors. Don’t feel like rescuing little Peter when his tongue gets stuck to the playground equipment? Visit the site for indoor-activity inspiration here.

Just-For-Laughs Choice: House Gymnastics

Seriously – don’t try these moves at home. The website, however, www.housegymnastics.com, is great for a laugh. The moves range from the yoga-inspired “Carpet Crab” to the downright dangerous “Elevated Dog Stretch”, as performed in this kitchen (picture below). The site admins list key rules to follow, such as always having a “spotter” around for safety. Even if I had a few willing friends…I’d still convince them to go swimming at the Community Centre.