The Snowflake Search will give you a challenge during Champaign-Urbana’s most wintery months
Find 30 beautiful wooden snowflakes (and fun facts, too) all over the Champaign County Forest Preserves through Feb. 28
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District was there for us in the very beginning of COVID-19, setting out large rocks painted as Easter eggs we could find with our children, when egg hunts were canceled and we were unsure of what we could safely do. Now they’ve done it again as we face the challenge of navigating winter without many indoor options. Your family can spend the coming weeks on the Snowflake Search!
The Champaign County Forest Preserve District shares, “We’ve hidden 30 creative snowflakes and winter fun facts throughout Champaign County Forest Preserves. Can you find them all? Bundle up and find as many as you can! Take a picture of your finds and share them with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages using the hashtag #CCFPDSnowflakeSearch.”
But will your kids actually want to do this? We think YES. It is kind of like an Easter egg hunt in the middle of winter. And if you have kids that love “Frozen,” we think these snowflakes will remind you of the animation found throughout the movies. Everyone loves a good challenge, and having a mission to work on (finding 30 snowflakes) gives you 1) a destination when you want to get out of the house and 2) something to keep you going while you’re starting to get cold. So bundle up and head out there!
The Snowflake Search may get you to bust out of visiting your usual forest preserves, too. When we headed out to see how many we could find at the forest preserve nearest to Champaign-Urbana (Lake of the Woods), we only found two on our visit. So these appear to be tucked away on trails and hidden more inconspicuously than you may think. Once you’ve found a couple at your favorite forest preserve, you can begin making plans for your destination next weekend and visit a new-to-you wooded area.
Don’t skip reading the fun fact posted near some of the snowflakes. You’ll learn so much about winter, history and local fun facts.
More ideas on what to do while you’re at the forest preserves
If you want to do more than hunt for snowflakes, we have some ideas for you. You can have the ultimate outdoor winter this year in Champaign-Urbana with these ideas on how to make the most of our most chilly season. Hiking, snowshoeing, sledding and more — just to name a few — and all things you can do at the forest preserves, too!
