When you feel that chill in the air and start dreaming of hot cocoa by the fire, it can mean only one thing: winter is just around the corner! From sledding to snowball fights, steaming apple cider to ice skating, winter is the perfect time of year to reconnect as a family. Winter activities are also the perfect way to keep kids from catching a case of cabin fever when they're cooped up in the house on snow days.

Here are a few of our top family activities for winter fun.

It may be too chilly to tramp around on birding trails outdoors, but you can bring feathered friends right to your own backyard! In most areas of the U.S., winter attracts different migratory species to your area, allowing you to see birds that you normally wouldn't during the warmer months. To attract birds, provide shelter (birdhouses, evergreen trees, or even a brush pile), fresh (unfrozen) water and, most importantly, a wide variety of food, like nuts and oil-rich seeds such as sunflower. Not only will you help birds survive the winter, you'll provide yourself with a colorful show in your own yard.

When it's snowing outside, there's nothing quite as cozy as filling your home with the scents of baking. Get out the cookbooks and allow each family member to choose a recipe, then combine forces to create a variety of delicious baked treats. You'll end up with a lot of goodies, so why not put together some gift baskets for friends, family or neighbors? You can even create a cookie exchange.

Set up a movie theater in your living room! Block the windows with blankets, make a big batch of popcorn and print up "tickets" to distribute to friends and neighbors. Pop in a show and escape for a couple hours without leaving home.

Get out of the house and (re)discover your city by pretending to be a tourist for a day. It's easy to overlook local attractions, so look up an online travel guide to your area and start exploring! From museums to art galleries, you're sure to learn something new about your hometown.

Host a board game party with your kids' friends and parents. Pick out a few games that you already own, then ask guests to each bring their favorite. Everyone will enjoy trying out new games and perhaps discover a new favorite or two! Serve winter-appropriate snacks and finger food to enhance the event.

Though you might associate road trips with summer, winter is also a popular time to get out and about. When you're planning winter outings, be sure to give yourself extra time to account for increased traffic, as well as potentially icy road conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.