Wintertime Activities at OSU

We all know there’s a lot to do during the warmer months of the year, but what are students supposed to do when the weather becomes colder and there aren’t as many people out and about on campus or events to go to? Don’t worry…I’ve got you covered! Here are some ideas to make your Winter at OSU the best one you’ve had yet!

Annual OSU Snowball Fight

If you’re looking for a really fun time, the Annual OSU Snowball Fight is the event to go to! All sides of campus gather their friends together to face off in a snowball fight that always ends with lots of laughter. From hitting your teammates with snowballs, to goofing off in the snow after the fight, this annual event was one of my best memories from my freshman year. So, how do you know when it is? Last year, it was in January, but the day can always change depending on when Ohio decides to make up its mind on when to give us snow for winter. Make sure you keep up to date on OSU’s social media channels, specifically Instagram, to find out when the specific date will be for this year!

Movie Marathon

I’m always a sucker for wintertime and Christmas movies, especially the cheesy Hallmark movies we all know and love :) A movie marathon is the perfect idea to relax after a busy week of college. Make some popcorn or grab your go-to movie snack and invite some people over for a cozy movie marathon!

Ice Skating at the OSU Ice Rink

I absolutely love ice skating, and if you do too, this wintertime event is definitely for you! Grab a few friends and head over to the OSU ice rink for a fun time on the ice. Before you go, make sure you check out OSU’s ice rink open skate sessions to find out the specific times you are allowed to go.

Click here to quickly access the open skating sessions schedule each month!

Hot Chocolate!!!

What goes better with cold weather than hot chocolate? You guessed it- nothing! Hot chocolate is the perfect drink for a little pick me up, and if you’re wanting to make it a social event, go have a hot chocolate date with some friends! If you’re looking for a relaxing time or just need a little alone time, grab a hot chocolate from Sloopy’s Diner, curl up by the Ohio Union fireplace, and take a break from college by reading a nice book or listening to some of your favorite tunes!

Sledding and Snowmen

Winter wouldn’t be winter without some fun in the snow! Bundle up in your winter gear, text in your group chats, and plan a snow day. This can be done either on campus or off campus depending on how much of an adventure you want to go on! Either way, go out and build some snowmen, make some snow angels, or find some hills to sled on.

P.S. If the snow isn’t exactly packing snow and your snowman turns out a little like mine, don’t worry! It’s all about the memories you make along the way :)

Columbus Zoo Lights

If you’re looking for a little bit of a holiday activity, check out the Columbus Zoo Lights! The Zoo is lit up with millions of LED lights and has a lot of other festive activities starting around the end of November until the beginning of January. Plus, you can find discounted tickets using the D-Tix program that OSU offers to students. You can check for these tickets either online or by going to the Ohio Union desk to check out these offers! Either way, these lights are the perfect idea for a night out with friends or even a date night with your significant other.

Hot Tub and Sauna at the RPAC

Are you looking to get away from the cold weather for an hour? The RPAC has an indoor hot tub and sauna that is great to feel the warmth you’ve been missing. They also have a whirlpool and swimming pool with some fun pool toys, which makes for a great place to hang out with friends!

Hockey Game

Are you a sports fan?? Of course you are…I mean, we do go to THE Ohio State University. Even if you’re not that into hockey, the OSU hockey games are fun to experience at least once, and they are a great way to cheer on our fellow OSU students. Plus, all of the games are free to go to with your student BuckID! But wait, there’s more…occasionally, OSU will make the hockey game an event where the first 500 or so people in line for the game will get some free merch! So, head on over to the Schottenstein Center to support our OSU hockey team!

P.S. Hockey games can be a bit chilly, so make sure to bring a warm coat and hat!

P.S.S. This is also a great time to get a picture with Brutus if you haven’t had the opportunity yet :)

Holiday party!

What’s a better way to celebrate the end of the semester than with a holiday party? Tell everyone to wear their best (or worst) Christmas sweater and put on some holiday music. Spend the night baking Christmas cookies or seeing who can make the best gingerbread house! Another great addition to the party would be a white elephant gift exchange. Tell your guests beforehand to bring a gift to the party…this can be anything!! (The best gifts are often cheap gag gifts or random stuff you want to get rid of, so don’t stress about buying anything expensive!) During the party, all the gifts are put into a pile and each person takes a turn either picking a gift or stealing one from someone else! (There are many different versions of this gift exchange, so pick the version that works best for you.) This night will be a super memorable night filled with laughter and tasty treats!

I hope you’ve enjoyed all of the ideas and plan on doing some (or all!) of them! Make this Winter at OSU the best adventure you’ve had yet :)

AMA Ohio State