Escape boredom and add some fun to holiday break

Holiday break is upon us and students of all ages have cast aside their textbooks, pencils and laptops for several weeks of homework and classroom-free fun.

Though the break is a welcome change from the routine of classes and exams, it is all too easy to waste away the precious time off glued to the couch watching "Family Guy" reruns.

Here are some fun and active ways to add some adventure to this year's holiday break.

Hit the slopes

Whether you can expertly carve the powder of a challenging mountain run, or need to stick to the bunny hill, there is no better way to celebrate the season than spending a day with your boots firmly strapped to a pair of skis or a snowboard.

Grab a few pals and head to your favorite slopes; remember to pack a few essentials like sunscreen, bottled water and snacks. A day of bombing a snow-covered hill is sure to get your stomach growling, so pack high-protein snacks, like MATADOR Beef Jerky, to fuel your adventure. Choose great-tasting flavors like Original, Teriyaki or Peppered, and your friends will be fighting over who gets to share this snack. Best of all, jerky doesn't require refrigeration so you can just toss a few packages of jerky or snack sticks in your snowboard or ski bag for all-day hunger control.

Play broomball - it's like hockey, only easier

What's a game of hockey sans the puck and ice skates? Meet hockey's fun-filled cousin - broomball. Played on a hockey rink, broomball is another great game invented by our maple syrup-loving, Canadian neighbors to the north. The beauty of broomball is that it requires only a fraction of the equipment and half the skills of real hockey.

The game is played with two six-player teams. Each boot-wearing team is comprised of one goalie, three forwards and two defensemen - just like in hockey. Players use what looks like a broom, except the bristles at the end are replaced with a solid, rubber wedge, to shoot the broomball into the opponent's goal. The team with the most goals at the end of two 18-minute halves wins.

Broomball can be played indoors at an ice rink or outdoors on a well-frozen pond. Be sure to check that the ice is thick enough before setting up your goals on an outdoor rink.

Hit the beach

For those in warm and sunny climates, gather your friends and celebrate holiday break with a day at the beach. Whether you surf, swim, build sandcastles, play beach volleyball, or simply soak up the sun's rays, a day in the surf and sand will be a welcome break from the classroom. Make sure to pack lots of snacks, drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen.

Host a movie marathon

Looking for a good reason to gather your friends together during break? Call, text, or post a Facebook invitation to your friends for a movie marathon. For a little added fun, choose a theme for the night, select three or four movies in the genre - it could be horror, action or gut-busting comedy - and you've got a movie marathon on your hands. Don't forget the snacks, an essential ingredient for any movie-watching experience. Choose a variety of snacks to satisfy all of your friends - popcorn, jerky and movie-style candies are always flavor favorites.

Get out and give something back - after all, 'tis the season of giving

Holiday break is an excellent time to give something back to your community. Make the most of your free time by volunteering at a local food bank, homeless shelter or another cause that's close to your heart. Volunteering could mean something as simple as shoveling your neighbor's driveway, mowing an elderly neighbor's lawn, or helping with projects around the house.

Whatever activities you choose, remember there are an endless number of fun things to do to make this holiday break a memorable one. The key is simple: get off the couch, call a friend and add some adventure to your freedom-filled holiday break.