5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

January 17, 2017 21 By EngineerMommy

This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play.

My kids and I spent a few hours last Friday at the local playground and they had so much fun being outdoors and running around. In fact, we try to encourage outdoor play as often as possible even during the winter. Today, I will be sharing some tips on playing outdoors when the temps are dropping and the wind is gusting.

We have a large, fenced backyard in our current home so we let the kids get outside and play there regularly. We also head to the local playground, where they can enjoy the swings & slides and play with other children. We also encourage them to ride their bikes or scooters around the bike often, too. Regardless of our specific activities, just getting outside and playing is always so much fun for kids. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage an active lifestyle and promote exercise from an early age.

In fact, IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association) has established The Voice of Play, which is an initiative that is encouraging families around the world to get outside and play. Just by playing outside, a child can experience benefits in his/her physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. For more information, check out the @Voice_of_Play on Twitter and Facebook.

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

1. Go during mid-day: During the winter, head outdoors during the middle part of the day. At this time, the sun is likely to be the strongest and the temps are likely to be the highest. Plan your trip to the park in the early afternoon. We usually like to head to the park shortly after lunch.

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter


2. Wear sunscreen: Despite fact that the sky is cloudy and overcast, it is important to wear sunscreen. Even during the winter, the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can be damaging to the skin. We like to wear sunscreen with at least SPF of 30 throughout the year.
5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter


3. Bundle up: Of course, winter will have cold days, windy days and even rainy/snowy days. Don’t let inclement weather keep you stuck indoors. Just bundle everyone up to stay warm. We like to wear multiple layers under our winter coats and also wear hats, scarves, and gloves.
5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter


4. Play with them: When it comes to play time, get involved! There’s nothing more fun for a child than to have his/her parent get involved in the fun. You can race them across the park or race them down the slide. You can play tag or hide-and-seek with them. It’s all about staying involved. Plus, it will keep you warmer while outdoors!
5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter


5. Keep it short: During the summer, a trip to the playground may involve a few hours of play time and perhaps a picnic lunch. When the weather is blistery, you don’t have to stay indoors but you may want to keep outdoor activities limited. The good news is that even 20 minutes of playing outside is beneficial for kids.
5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter

5 Tips for Playing Outdoors in Winter


I hope these tips have helped inspire you to get outside with your kids and play together.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. Do you let your kids play outdoors during the winter? What are your best tips for #YearRoundPlay?

The post is brought to you by Activate by Bloglovin and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
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