Outdoor play is one of the best activities for kids to engage in, from the time they’re old enough to walk on their own until adulthood. Even adults benefit from playing outside, though the doldrums of adult responsibilities often preclude them from doing so as often as they’d like.
Unfortunately, many parents restrict or are reluctant to engage in outdoor play for kids during winter, when temperatures drop and snow begins to fall. There are some understandable reasons why you wouldn’t want to be outside as often in winter, but with the right preparation strategies, you can make outdoor winter play exciting – and engage in it more frequently.
There are some massive advantages to staying active during the winter. These three cold months make it tempting to stay inside, but if you venture out, you’ll get significant vitamin D exposure (even though the sun may feel less powerful due to the lower temperatures). You’ll get fresh air. You’ll have the opportunity to get moderate exercise. And best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to partake in activities that are totally off limits the rest of the year, such as building snowmen or going sledding.
The big downsides, of course, are low temperatures and inclement weather. Low temperatures present certain dangers, such as frostbite, and dealing with snow and ice can be problematic in various ways. Fortunately, there are some ways that you can mitigate these risks and take advantage of the unique features of winter.
How can you make outdoor play during winter even more exciting and more palatable?
1. Get a patio heater. An outdoor patio heater creates a warm space in an otherwise desolate, cold landscape. If your kids begin to get cold, they don’t have to immediately come inside; they can spend a few minutes under the heater to warm themselves up and go back to playing to burn off some more energy. As an added bonus, you, your spouse, and anyone else spending time with you can stay warm when you’re supervising the children. It’s a relatively minimal investment that continues paying dividends indefinitely.
2. Bundle up anyway. Even if you have a patio heater in place, it’s a good idea to bundle up. The more layers of clothes that your children wear, the more insulative material they’ll have protecting themselves from the elements. You can always remove the outermost layer if they get too hot.
3. Nail the timing. If windchill is -18 degrees F or lower, frostbite can set into exposed skin after just 15 minutes. Timing is crucial if you want to spend time outside in winter without imminent danger. Ideally, you will spend your time playing in the afternoon, when the sun is out. And if temperatures are dangerously low, limit the amount of time you spend outside.
4. Stay moving. As long as you stay moving, you’ll encourage blood circulation and stay a bit warmer. Accordingly, you should encourage your kids to keep moving as long as they’re outside.
5. Pick up a few snow toys. Toys that are specifically designed for the snow, such as sleds, snowball throwers, and snow shovels, can be great fun. Pick up a few of these novelties so they’re available when you’re ready to head out.
6. Build! Snow is an incredibly fun building material – and there are practically no limits to your creativity. Build snowmen, snow fortresses, sculptures, and anything else you dream up!
7. Have warm treats ready. Nothing closes out a day of outdoor play in winter quite like a warm treat when you head inside. A cup of hot chocolate or a bowl of your kids’ favorite soup is the perfect closer.
8. Venture out. Zoos, museums, nature centers, skating rinks, and other establishments typically remain open in winter, or may have special events to draw people in during winter. Don’t be afraid to venture out when you get bored of your own backyard.
All kids have a unique mix of interests, and they’re much more likely to have fun and thrive when pursuing their individual interests. Accordingly, you should customize your approach to interplay based on the personalities of your children. If they tend to be highly energized and excited about physical activity, consider taking up a winter sport. If they’re more laid back, a peaceful walk through a nature preserve might be a better course of action.
No matter what, you’ll have dozens of options available to you and your children as you try to make the most of this arguably bitter and limiting season. Who knows – by the time spring comes around, you might end up missing it!
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