As colder
weather looms, and Covid-19 cases spike again, the warmth and comfort of home, the reliability of a controlled environment,
might seem a tantalizing option for your kids’ playtime. However, Elizabeth Kwak-Hefferan, writing for the New
York Times, strongly advises families to embrace outdoor winter play. Through
interviews with parents who’ve been there before – in some remarkably extreme
ways – she offers a wealth of tips. She begins with the reminder that outdoor
playtime remains the safest playtime – for everyone.
“In the
age of Covid-19,” she writes, “getting outside has become even more essential
as an antidote to lockdowns and as one of the safest ways to have play
dates… So if you’re staring down the barrel of the impending winter with dread,
visions of cabin-fever-induced meltdowns dancing in your head, fear not. Yes,
your kids can play outside in foul weather. And what’s more, they’ll love it.”
Of course,
proper clothing is crucial. I am reminded of my four years working in a
preschool and being amazed at how some parents seemed sadly clueless regarding
proper cold-weather togs for their kids. I wish they’d had Kwak-Hefferan’s
list.
READ MORE: The best Hudson Valley Playgrounds
Layering
is important, yes, but, as she writes, “There’s more to it than just slipping a
child into a puffy jacket and heading out the door.”
- Hands,
head, heart and feet are covered; out of those, the feet most importantly
- Dry feet
are warm feet, so think waterproof insulated boots or rubber boots paired with
fleece or wool liners, plus cozy wool or synthetic socks (not cotton, which
doesn’t wick moisture away from the skin and takes ages to dry). Speaking of
socks: Pack an extra pair for each kid.
- Mind the gaps. Dress kids
in gauntlet-style gloves or mittens that cinch over their jacket’s cuffs, and
keep cold winds from sneaking down their necks with a gaiter. A jacket
overlapping with bib snow pants will be warmer than shorter layers that can
gape open when
Some
helpful tips on food: First and foremost, hydration is key. “A thermos full of
something hot is the way to go,” Kwak-Hefferan writes. There’s also something
pleasantly ritualistic to drinking something warm in the cold, especially if
you can make it seem like a tea party.
Also, no
food that’ll freeze. If it is very cold omit the granola bars, heavy energy bars
or fruit pouches. Yes to fig bars, freeze-dried fruit, trail mix, fruit snacks.
As for
family activities, Kwak-Hefferan suggests hikes and scavenger hunts, and simple
games like Red Light Green Light and tag. Simple is key. While she acknowledges
kids will very likely whine initially, she swears that the more they play
outside, the more they’ll want to, the better they’ll feel, and sleep, and the
happier everyone will be.