This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money from products we link to in this post.
I know that playing outside in the winter isn’t a favorite activity for many people, but it’s actually really important for kids to get outside, even when it’s cold!
If you have little ones in snowsuits and snow boots, it takes them maximum energy just to walk in the snow. That kind of exercise is so important for your toddler.
Playing outside in the winter means building snowmen, going sledding and making snow angels – even when it’s chilly!
If you dress properly you can spend an hour or more outside in the winter, as long as it’s not -40! Even 15-20 minutes in the great outdoors can be extremely beneficial to your kiddo.
Playing Outside If Kids Are under the weather
If your child is home ill, you should rest. However, because children are quite competent at regulating their own activity level, there’s no reason to compel them to stay in bed if they don’t want to.
Even if a baby has a fever, they can rest or sleep in a pram outside as long as they are shielded from wind and cold temperatures. (Learn how to prepare your baby for outside winter napping here.)
An older child can play outside if they are enthusiastic enough, and they are not need to stay inside due to cold symptoms such as a sore throat or congested nose. On the contrary, fresh air can be refreshing and will not make your child sicker than before.
Dressing your child for playing in the snow
Young babies don’t regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults, so if you take your baby for lengthy walks in the stroller or let them snooze outside, make sure they’re not too hot or too cold.
It’s probably far more frequent to over-bundle babies out of fear of them getting chilly than it is to over-dress them.
If your baby’s neck or forehead feels cold to the touch, this is a sign that they are too cold. It is typical for the hands and feet to be slightly colder than the rest of the body, but they should not be freezing.
Feel the baby’s neck and chest to discover whether they are overheating.
How long should you play outside in the winter?
This is like to asking how long a string is… It all depends on the weather, your child’s activity level, and what they’re wearing.
If your child has rosy cheeks, appears pleased, and is actively playing, they are probably at ease. Similarly, if your child complains of being chilly, you should listen to their cues and allow them to warm up inside, especially on cold, windy days.
Because children’s circulation is not fully developed, their extremities become colder sooner than adults’.
If your child’s skin is pale and cold, this could indicate that they are having difficulty staying warm. They may also shudder or cluster together to retain body heat.
You have two options at that point: encourage your child to build physical energy by moving about, or take a break and go inside for a while.
be careful of frostbite
The earliest signs of frostbite are often white spots on the cheeks, nose, and ears, as well as numbness. If you observe any signs of frostbite, get your child out of the wind as quickly as possible and bring them inside.
Slowly rewarm the chilly area, preferably skin-to-skin. You can, for example, place cold hands in your armpits and icy feet on your stomach. For more severe cases of frostbite, consult your doctor.
Winter Games For Kids
Olympics in The Snow
- Snow Pile Hurdles — Have the kids make little piles of snow and then have them jump over the piles! See how fast they can run and jump in the snow over the piles.
- Snowball Throw — This snow Olympics game is simple. Just have the kids all stand in a line, and see how far they can throw their snowball!
- Snow Obstacle Course — You can create an obstacle course with snow piles and have the kids run and weave through them until they reach the finish line! You can time it or make it a race!
- Long Jump — Just like traditional long jump you can get the kids to stand in a line and see how far they can jump in the snow!
Make and Build With Ice blocks
Gather materials from home such as Tupperware, empty milk jugs, margarine and sour cream container – get creative.
Have the kids fill up the containers with snow and make ice castles out of the snow – just like sand castles but with snow!
You can also fill containers with water, leave the containers outside and then take those blocks and build something out of pure ice!
Make sure the kids are wearing gloves
Go For A Scavenger Hunt Walk
Take your kids on a simple adventure and have your kids look for 5-10 things like you walk. Make your list ahead of time! Here are some things you can add to your list:
- A white picket fence
- A dog
- Leaves
- Puddles
- A blue door
- A Cat
- Twigs
- Rocks
- Sand
- Someone on a bike
Throw snowballs at a target
This game is simple. Make a target and throw snowballs at it.
You can use a hula hoop, or draw a target in the sand with spray chalk. This can be as simple or as complicated you like.
Create A Maze In The snow
This is a really fun activity for little kids. All you have to do is create a maze in the snow using your boots to make the path.
Kids can run or walk through the maze, and you can make the maze as long or as short as you like.
Create The Snowy Version of Mud Pies
Ever made mud pies as a child? You can make snow pies! Grab some cupcake tins, cake pans or sandbox toys and have the kids make fancy pies out of the snow.
Make sure to decorate the cakes with leaves, branches, rocks or anything else you can find outside.
You’ll need: sandbox toys, clean aluminum pie pans or some sort of flat round container, natural materials
Create snowmen of All Kinds
If your kids need a creative activity, have them create animals, or dinosaurs out of snow. Sure it’s a little more complex than your basic snow person, but that’s the point!
This can get overwhelming for kids, so be sure to give them a hand!