By mid-July, every kid begins to get tired of the constant sunlight and sweating associated with outdoor activities. By the time January hits, they realize that they took for granted how easy it was to get outdoors during the summer months, and how stir crazy the winter season can be. Fortunately for our kids, though, outdoor activities don’t have to be limited to the summer months alone, as there are many ways to make exercising in the winter fun and safe.
Follow Along with these Winter-Themed Indoor Exercise Videos
Looking for ways to get active outside?
Kids love the snow! Playing outside in the snow is a great way for kids to exercise. Check out these kid-favorite games that actually double as a fun "workout."
But first, some tips for going out to MOVE in the cold for everyone, especially kids.
Layer properly
To make sure your kids don’t get too cold too fast while outside, follow this layering pattern
- Base Layer: Keeps skin sweat-free to avoid chilling faster. Use polyester rather than cotton
- Mid Layer: Traps heat to the body. Use fleece or wool
- Outer Layer: Protects from the elements, like snow and water. Use waterproof and windproof materials
Monitor your child's time and condition outside
- If the temperature is below freezing, children should come inside after an hour of outside play to warm up a bit
- While children are playing outside, monitor their behavior for potentially harmful reactions to the cold
-If a child experiences any of the following symptoms, they should be brought inside immediately
- Shivering that won’t stop
- Numb or pale fingers, toes, ears, or nose
- Complaints of pain, burning, or tingling
- Extreme fatigue or irritability
Sledding is a well-known activity that may not seem very physically demanding at first, until you consider the walk back up the hill. If you can find a hill large enough, your kids will certainly get sufficient exercise marching through snow, heavily dressed, while dragging their ride behind them. Hills that appear as nothing more than a chore to climb in the summer become beacons of fun on a snowy afternoon.
There is no denying that on a summer day, it’s easy to see kids pushing each other too hard in a game of two hand touch and tripping and falling onto rough surfaces like macadam or turf. The winter months offer a great solution to these summer football problems, though - snow! In the snow, kids will be bundled up in multiple layers, making the tagging aspect of football much less problematic. Additionally, if a kid does happen to trip, they have the natural cushion of snow to break their fall.