It’s that time of the year– winter is right around the corner. As we prepare by purchasing new shovels, changing the tires on the car, and stocking up on ingredients for soups, the kids are also getting ready for shifts in their lives that come with the change of seasons. One of these big changes is the inability to spend as much time outside. While it may be cold outside, it is still important to get the family outside when you're able. 

Even when it's cold outside, kids should still get about one hour of outdoor play every day. However, activity doesn’t need to be an hour straight; instead, break up the time throughout the day. The most important takeaway is to get kids outside and get them active, even if it is in small chunks of time. Below are some suggestion on how to do just that. Keep in mind that fun doesn’t have to be expensive – there is no need to run out and buy a ton of supplies from the craft store. Simple items from the house can inspire some of the most fun activities, both indoor and outdoors! 

Outside Fun
While typical outdoor winter activities can bring a lot of giggles and squeals, they can also hugely benefit a child's mind and body. Even some of the most classic winter activities build and strengthen children’s motor skills. 

1. Building a snowman works fine and gross motor (large muscle movement) skills. It also introduces children to sequencing, as they need to figure out the order for building body parts. 

2. Create a large target and have kids throw snowballs at the target. This builds on sensory play and working on fine motor skills as well.

3. Sand and dirt toys can be used in the snow! Don't pack away the diggers, sand molds, and dump trucks just yet. Kids can scoop and build with snow to help work cognitive, fine motor, sensory, and gross motor skills.

Inside Activities
Although it is important to get outside as much as possible, there are times when indoor play is a must. Even when it’s too chilly outside, winter fun can be brought inside. Some of these include DIY Winter Olympics, a hot cocoa bar, and snowball races. 

1. Rather than sitting on the couch watching the Olympics on television, bring the Olympics to your house! Have a curling match in the kitchen, ice skate on the carpet by putting wax paper on the bottom of your shoes, and even allow the kids to make up their own Olympic sport. 

2. After your Olympic medals are passed out, celebrate with a hot cocoa bar. Let the kids read the instructions for how to prepare the cocoa and ask them questions to make sure they understand what they are reading. Then, you can talk about what they want to put in their cocoa. It doesn’t matter how silly the conversation gets—self-expression is one of the goals of this activity! When the cocoa is made and topped with the toppings of choice, sip and savor the time together. 

3. Snowball races are a fun way to exercise sensory, cognitive, gross motor, and social skills. Grab some cotton balls and straws, make sure you have enough space for a safe race, and tape a finish line on the floor. Place a few cotton balls on the floor and have the kids blow through the straws to race the "snowballs" past the finish line.

Don't Forget The Little Ones
While many know the value of school-aged kids having fun activities to do year round, babies and toddlers equally benefit from developmental activities – don’t leave them out of the family fun! Play opportunities are just as important for the little ones. Give the littles the sensory experience they need – get on the floor with them and allow exploratory play opportunities by letting them move around with their bodies. Another way to add sensory experience includes hand/foot painting.

Tried & True
Never underestimate the power of story time. Get some winter-themed books and read them with the kids. You can even plan crafts to go along with the books or have the kids retell the stories by acting them out. Story time is a great way to build on language and communication, as well as social and cognitive skills.

Whatever way you choose to spend your winter season, make sure it includes lots of fun and developmental skill-strengthening activities. I can promise you and your kids will have a snow-ball!

Dr. Lauren Block earned advanced credentialing in prenatal care from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association and is certified in the Webster Technique which is specifically designed to care for pregnant mothers.