I know…I know.…
Holidays are hectic.
Winter is COLD!
Kids are bouncing off the walls.
You’re probably beginning to imagine yourself in some super exotic, much warmer destination right about now.
But, before you escape too far into daydreams of sandy toes and beach umbrellas, allow me to rekindle your childlike wonder for winter?
Here’s a bit of inspiration for you to keep kids (and their adults) active and entertained even through the bleakest of days!
First, lean into the cold! Pivot to PLAY™, and let weather be your friend! A change of scenery is good, and wet, frosty seasons offer loads of new sensory experiences. Everything looks different and responds differently in rain and snow. Think about it. A dump truck has different things to move, a bucket is more fun to fill with wet treasures, cold grass crunches under feet, the slide slides faster, the swing swings slower. Remember, every new experience builds a child’s brain, so why not turn all that foul weather into exciting adventures that stimulate little minds and bodies in new ways?
Grownups tend to consider snow days our opportunity to stay home and hunker down by the fire with a book. The reality is we can’t always have it that way, and kids aren’t typically keen on our ideas of quiet indoor pleasantries. But, I promise you can make foul weather work in your favor. Go ahead…get outside! It’s a lot easier than you think, and burning energy outdoors makes indoor time much calmer and more productive for everyone.
Bonus Tip: Any adult looking to burn a few extra holiday calories will be happy to know that getting active outside doubles that fuel usage! So grab your inner child, a coat, and some mittens, and head outdoors!
Kids can spend time outside in all kinds of weather. In fact, wintery weather can be downright magical with the right outlook and a bit of preparation. Of course, everyone will need plenty of foul weather clothing to stay healthy and safe, so think ahead about what is needed for the day — rain boots, snow boots, mittens, rain jackets, or heavy coats. You’ll want to have extras on hand.
Here are some ideas for getting kids geared up for the great outdoors:
- Run a coat drive at your school. As kids graduate from one class to the next, more often than not they are growing out of their coats. Make those coats available in the office for those kids who might need them.
- Inexpensive hats and mittens can usually be found at Dollar Tree or the equivalent. Always having extras on hand pays dividends in making sure kids have the right hand gear. If you live somewhere super cold, then add heavy duty mittens to the coat drive and keep a stash handy.
Even on the dreariest days, you don’t have to torture yourself with dreams of the beach anymore. You can choose childlike fun wherever you are! Imagine how kids will respond in the the afternoon lull on a rainy day, when a grownup suddenly jumps up, claps hands, and exclaims, “Hey! It’s a great day! Let’s go outside!”
