A boy playing in the leaves
Parenting

5 outdoor play activities for your child this Winter

Winter is a tricky month for outdoor play. The days are shorter, cold, wet and windy making outdoor play trickier compared to the warmer spring and summer months. As a parent I know where I would prefer to be; wrapped up in the warm instead of hanging around cold playgrounds with a toddler who wants to take off their shoes and socks, and play in a soggy sandpit. However just because it is cold, we do still need to get outside to soak up that tiny bit of Vitamin D and to stop us from going insane watching Frozen on repeat. So here are 5 outdoor play activities that you can enjoy with your child this winter.

Get planting in your greenhouse

It might still be cold in the greenhouse but it is protected from the elements and the harshness from some frosts and snow. Some vegetables can be planted in greenhouse conditions and will survive on natural greenhouse light. These include green vegetables, kale and lettuce and are all plants that you and your child can plant together. Two Wests have a large collection of greenhouses that will work with a large garden or a small garden, and act a space where you and your child can enjoy looking after those plants.

Go for a country walk

Wherever you live in the UK there are so many walks around you. You can easily escape the cities for a day out, or hop in the car to a country park. You might be outside and yes it might be cold, but there is so much for you and your children to see. Play hide and seek in a forest, or take a walk on a nature trail. Depending on where you go there may also be a cafe for you to enjoy a hot chocolate and cake, which is perfect for you and also a treat for your children.

Baby playing outside

Get crafty in your garden

There are so many ways that you can get arty and crafty in your garden. Your child can paint stones to decorate your borders or plant pots. They can gather leaves and twigs to stick onto pictures or to paint. These are brilliant ways to get your child outdoors, and hopefully means for you that you can watch from the kitchen window in the warmth of your own home.

Search for local activities

There will be no end of activities that you can get involved with away from the home. You can look up where your local forest school is which will allow your child to learn educational and social skills in the great outdoors. Or check out events at local museums, art galleries and parks, that may have special outdoor activities for children at the weekend and during the school holidays.

Enjoy winter sports but without the snow

With Christmas fast approaching now is the time to really enjoy those winter activities including ice skating and maybe practise some skiing. There are loads of ice rinks set-up around the country where you and the family can skate for an hour or so. It’s a lovely activity to do as a family and you can enjoy a winter pimms or a mulled wine afterwards. The kids will love it and you should all leave with a wintery glow afterwards.

So that’s it! Those are 5 ways that you can enjoy being outdoors with your children this winter. It’s not all about being out in the cold, rain and wind. The weather may not be on your side, but there are so many ways that you can enjoy it and make the most of it.

How do you and your family spend time outside during the colder months of the year?

Claire x

This is a collaborative post with Two Wests. 

 

 

 

One Comment

  • Shivam

    This is a very good article. Really well written and informative article. I think the best outdoor activity out of all these is the garden activity one. Great piece of content Claire.

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