MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - On beautiful clear weekends, many families chose to experience outdoor adventures.

The Harris Nature Center welcomed nearly 400 visitors for its annual Winter Wonderland event, where people could play mini golf, watch dog sled demonstrations, and try out snowshoeing or cross country skiing.

Katie Adams, Park Naturalist at the Harris Nature Center, said the park held such big family event every year since 1999, and today "the parking lot has been full the entire day."

Many families also found fun after the sun went down. This past weekend, people gathered at North Meridian Road Park for the moonlight sledding event.

13-year-old Shannon McInerney says it was her first time at the event. She enjoyed the hot chocolate and warming up by the bonfire. Her 6-year-old friend Ella said she likes sledding very much thought it is scary at times. She just hit a big bump and landed face to face with another kid.

All these activities are part of the Family Winter Sports Weekends hosted by the Meridian Township Parks & Recreation Department, which encourages people to take advantage of the snow and fully experience Michigan’s winter.

"Michigan is third in the national obese children. I think it was a great activity to get kids out there sledding and climb up from back of the hill, and it's great for every body," said Mike Devlin, Recreation Specialist at Meridian Township.

There are more activities going on through the end of February, including skiing, swimming, archery and air pistol shooting, most events are free or have reasonable prices.