Winter is a special time for family
moments. What do you remember from your childhood years? Playing outdoors
probably was in the top three! So get bundled up, gather the kids and fill
their memories with some winter fun!
Outdoor Winter Fun: Snow Required
Angels in the Snow
Get everyone to lie down and face up toward the sky. Then swing your arms
(up/down) and legs (open/close). Carefully get up and see the angels everyone
has created. Ask your child which is the biggest? The smallest? Suggest that
you make a double angel by having your child make an angel within your angel.
The Everlasting Snowman
Start by taking snow in your hands and forming a ball. Take your snowball
and roll into the snow to make a bigger ball (the more you roll the bigger
the ball). Place two, three or four on top of each other. Let your child
decide how you will decorate the snowman; you'll be surprised by what they'll
come up with. Who said you have to make a snowman? Have your ever met a
snow-cowboy? Or a little snow-baby? Make more than one snow-person -- make
a whole family.
Snow Painting
Here comes Picasso! This activity can be very creative and lots of fun. All
you'll need are empty spray bottles. Fill them with water and add a few drops
of food coloring (or washable tempera powder paint). Put rubber dishwashing
gloves over your child's mittens and let your child spray art onto the snow.
Play outdoor Pictionary or Tic-tac-toe. Can you figure out the drawings?
Can you write letters?
Shoveling Snow
Your child will really enjoy this activity because it will make him feel
big. Buy your child a child-size shovel and let him "help" you after a snowstorm.
Not only will your child benefit from the fresh air and exercise, but he'll
also feel proud for helping you with the work.
Catch Me
Follow around in each other's footprints in fresh snow. When fresh snow isn't
packed, it will take double the effort for both you and your child to walk
in. Take turns running after each other in the snow. If you have many children
over, bring out noisemakers and have a parade.
Outdoor Winter Fun: No Snow Needed!
Bubbles
Have you tried bubbles outside in the winter? Let your child jump up and
try to burst them. The bubbles stay a little longer because of the cold
air.
Sliding Away
Use a piece of cardboard from a cardboard box (about 12" x 12") to use as
a sliding carpet. Who can slide down the farthest? Who's the fastest? Take
a bigger piece of cardboard and sit on it together and go for a tandem ride.
Sliding can be done on a hill with snow, on sand or on the grass
Obstacle Course
Set out some hula-hoops, old tires, boxes, toboggans and any climbing structures
already in the backyard. Let your child run, jump, climb, slide -- remember
not to let you child just stand around. Be especially cautious with climbing
structures. Children who are dressed in bulky clothing for winter might not
fit as easily as they would in shorts in the summertime.
Bird Feeding Station
Set up a bird feeding station for your little bird friends.
Take a pinecone and spread peanut butter onto it; then roll the pinecone
into birdseed. Hang it in a tree. Have your child string O-shaped dry cereal
on a piece of string. Tie a knot with both ends and hang it on a branch.
Talk a clean milk jug and cut out an opening on the side have your child
fill it with birdseed. Place it outdoors near your window or hang it on your
roof. Count the birds that visit your playground. Talk about the colors and
the singing of the birds.
Indoor Fun
String Snowballs
These are very popular with young children. All you really need is a blown
up balloon, string or pieces of yarn and paste. Paste can either be white
glue or a mixture of flour and water. Have your child dip the string or yarn
into the paste and put it onto and around the balloon. Let her place as many
as she wants. When finished, hang it up to dry for a day or two. With a pin,
pop the balloon and remove it from the inside. Make many small ones and hang
them from the ceiling.
Winter Wonderland Creations
Have your child draw a picture on a sheet of construction paper. Spread a
thin layer of glue on top of her drawing. Using rickrack (the wavy pieces
of trim you get from fabric stores -- it's cheap and comes in white, silver,
gold), cotton balls, swabs, rice and glitter, let her winterize her
drawing.
Making Frost
Start by explaining to your child how dew is made (it's the result from a
quick change in temperature). Once dew freezes it becomes frost. To make
your own frost you will need: a tin can with a lid, half a cup of rock salt
and two cups of crushed ice (crushed in a blender). Let the child put the
ingredients in and stir vigorously. Move on to something else for about 30
to 40 minutes and dew will form on the can. Leave it again and when you return,
the dew will have turned into frost. Let your child discover the coldness
on her little fingers. What happens when she touches the can? Warm fingers
cause the frost to melt and the finger makes a print.
Ice Melt
This is a science experiment that only requires ice cubes, a plate, a towel
and curiosity. Let your child discover, feel and describe the melting process.
For an older child you can tell him about the process of warm air turning
the ice into water. When the melting is over, don't forget to take your child
a step further in the experiment: What will happen if you put the plate back
into the freezer? What if you added a few drops of food coloring? Paint?
You can also make Popsicles for this experiment and then let your child enjoy
a frozen treat. Who said Popsicles were only for summertime?
Icicle Sun-catcher
Take a pie pan and fill it with water. Add some birdseed, leaves, twigs,
pinecone, acorn, nuts and other nature items you have. Place the pie pan
in the freezer and freeze until solid. Then hang in a tree and watch it twirl
around and around and sparkle. Watch it melt on mild days. Children love
activities that are constantly changing. When the sun-catcher melts, suggest
making another.
Now you recall all the fun times you had when you played outdoors. Get dressed,
go out and have fun!
About the Author:
Marie-Helen Goyetche is
an iParenting contributing writer. This article originally appeared on Preschoolers
Today.
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