The days are short, the excitement of the Holidays is long over and now you’re starting to go a bit stir crazy being stuck inside… does this sound like a typical winter to you? It doesn’t have to be! Winter is one of our favorite times to get outside and adventure as a family. Trust me, with just a few adjustments and a bit of preparation, you really can learn to enjoy winter with kids!
We’ve had our share of ups and downs in this process of enjoying the outdoors in winter with our kids and thought we’d share our tried and true tips so you can get right to the fun!
Going outside in winter with kids? Just do it!
I know this hardly seems like a tip, but it can be so tempting to just stay inside where it’s warm and cozy and you can hide under your blankets until spring. Trust me though, once you get outside you’ll be so glad you did! Spending time outdoors is so beneficial to both our physical & mental health. Even just 15 minutes a day can have a positive impact on our health!
We get a lot of sunshine & fresh air during the summer, but this is harder during the winter. Winter Blues are a real thing; some sunlight and fresh air can go a long way in helping you get through what can otherwise be seen as a dreary season. And… you can have so much fun!
(note: If you are experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), please see a healthcare professional and get the help you need!)
Dress for the Weather
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” – Alfred Wainwright
This is probably the most important thing to consider when adventuring outside in the cold. If you and your kids are dressed for the weather, your time outside will be much more enjoyable and you’ll be able to stay out longer! Winter gear can sometimes get expensive – you can shop at second hand stores, check out rentals shops and take advantage of hand-me-downs!
How to dress for outdoor winter adventures:
- Choose your activity & check the weather: how you should dress greatly depends on what you’ll be doing and what the weather will be like!
- Go to the bathroom: first things first, use the washroom! Everyone, before you start gearing up, go pee!
- Dress in layers: dressing in proper layers will keep your body heat in, keep the elements out and prevent you from overheating.
There are 3 layers you need to consider when dressing for winter weather:
- Base Layer: this layer is right against your skin and wicks away moisture. Use a wicking material like wool, polyester or acrylic.
- Mid Layer: this is your insulating layer. Fleece or other track pant material works well for insulating!
- Outer Layer: this layer protects you from the elements. Select your outer layer based on the weather – eg. windproof, waterproof, etc.
If you’d like more information about how to dress for outdoor winter adventures, I’ve gone into a lot more detail in this article that you’ll want to check out!
Choose the Right Activity (& make sure you participate too!)
There are sooo many options for getting outside with your kids in the winter. Make sure the activity you pick fits your needs for time, cost and location. Here are some ideas to get out started:
Local/free activities – build a snowman, have a snowball fight, build a quinze, make snow angels, tobogganing, hiking.
Activities that require a bit more planning – skating, cross country skiing/snowshoeing, skiing/snowboarding.
Big trip activities – dog sledding, camping, snowmobiling.
Need more ideas? Here are 25 Ways to Get Outside during the Winter with Kids!
***In order to maximize your time & fun outdoors, make sure that you as adults participate too! Get down and make snow angels with your kids, rent skis for yourself too, don’t be afraid to toboggan down the hill! Getting involved yourself has two main benefits: you’ll stay warm & you’ll enjoy the time outside so much more!
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Bring Drinks and Snacks
One of the main reasons we used to have to head home early from an outdoor adventure was hungry or thirsty kids. As adults, we knew we were fine for an hour hike without a snack and figured the kids could handle it too. We were WRONG! Now we always bring our kids’ insulated water bottles and snacks with us on our adventures.
As for snacks, it depends where we will be eating. If we will be outside, we bring something that won’t freeze like granola bars or trail mix. We often try to find somewhere indoors like a ski chalet, visitor’s center, or cafe where we can stop for a snack, warm up & use the washroom. We’ve even stopped and had a snack in the back of our van a few times! If you have somewhere out of the cold and wind to take a break, your snack options are much more flexible (eg. veggies, fresh fruit, chips & guacamole, etc.)
Last year we started bringing hot chocolate with us on some adventures. We make it ahead of time in a large thermos that fits enough hot chocolate for everyone and keeps it warm for hours! We bring reusable cups and enjoy an amazing warm drink in the middle of our winter adventure!
Adjust Your Expectations
If you are a parent, or have spent any time around children, you’ve probably noticed that most things take more time with kids. Add in snow pants, boots, bulky coats, cold air and deep snow and things take even longer! Adjust your expectations ahead of time when heading outdoors in winter with kids and you’ll be just fine. Yes, you might never leave the bunny hills at the ski park and your snow angels will all have boot prints in them, but if you go into these activities with fresh air and quality time together as your goal, you’re going to have a great time!
