If there's a frozen body of water anywhere in the vicinity, my family will find it. Over the years, our skate-crazy kids have chased each other across lakes dotted with ice fishermen, weaved through reeds on flooded, frozen meadows, and enjoyed countless rousing rounds of pond hockey. The brisk air, the light glistening on the ice, the swish and scrape of the blades: there's just something magical about skating.

So invite along some pals, add time-tested games, a fun project or two, and the easy-to-eat snacks featured here. And for ice-sport enthusiasts, our homemade Multitasking Bench, Goal & Carrier serves triple duty on the ice.

Just like that, you've got the perfect winter outing.