The month of love, which just so happens to be the shortest month of the year, has officially begun. In February, the sun starts setting later and later in the day and temperatures regularly drop well below 0 degrees Celsius!

To make the most of February’s 28 short days, we’ve come up with a few family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities for you to try!

Satisfy your sweet tooth

Who doesn’t love the famous cinnamon heart candies that make an appearance every Valentine’s day at the office party or family kitchen table?

Since there will be no office candy bowl this year, why not double down on the goodies at home? Especially if you get creative about it!

• Pink cinnamon candy popcorn is sure to be a big hit on your next family movie night!
• Don’t stop at powdered cinnamon—take it a step further and bake some cinnamon heart-filled cookies! (French only)
• You can’t talk about cinnamon-inspired recipes without bringing up hot drinks! Why not spice up your morning coffee by making a cinnamon heart cappuccino? That should give you the energy boost you need to take on your day!

Cinnamon is great, but nothing can beat chocolate! Here are two versions of chocolate fondue for you to try:

1. A classic pot of chocolate fondue placed in the centre of the table for the whole family to gather around and enjoy!

2. Individual bowls of chocolate fondue served alongside skewered fruits for each family member. That way, no one has to share. Why not dig in while watching a good movie or TV series?

Festival season

Like so many other events this year, some winter festivals have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Even if you can’t attend any winter festivals this year, why not let your imagination run wild by planning your very own family-friendly backyard event?

On a piece of paper, write down the activities that you and your family enjoy doing the most at winter festivals. Here are a few ideas to help you create a festive atmosphere at home:

• You can easily take centre stage and re-create your children’s favourite performances. Take inspiration from child-friendly performers and songs to put on a show they’ll never forget!
• You can serve up your own versions of the decadent coffees and festive hot drinks that are usually sold at festivals by setting up a stand on your deck or in your backyard!
• If your backyard festival already has a coffee and juice bar, a food stand is a must. Go all out with hot dogs, pizzas or even full-course meals. Your backyard snack bar can even include some BBQ favourites!

Take care of your vehicle during the winter

The shortest month of the year often has the most unpredictable weather—February is Mother Nature’s last hurrah. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to any signs that your vehicle may be sending you!

If your vehicle was serviced by a mechanic last fall for a tire change and preventative maintenance, you’re probably in the clear. However, sometimes you just can’t predict when a problem will strike, especially in the middle of winter!

• To avoid making an emergency call to your local mechanic, you should listen for any sounds coming from your brakes. Are they still holding up or have they started to wear down?
• Does your oil, antifreeze or coolant need to be changed or topped up?

Are you the type of person that leaves your summer wiper blades on all year hoping that they’ll make it through winter? If so, it’s probably best if you take them off and let them wait out the cold weather in the garage!

Invest in a new pair of wiper blades that are cold-resistant and tough enough to handle snowy and icy conditions. If you’ve already done your due diligence and invested in a pair of winter wiper blades, check to make sure they’re still in good shape!

If your battery keeps dying during the winter or is having a hard time hanging on until spring, you should visit your local mechanic or autobody shop. They can tell you if your battery is still in good shape or if it’s on its last legs and needs to be replaced.