Outdoor Playtime In The Winter

[Neekie]

For those of you who live in areas where there is quite a bit of cold weather and snow in the winter, do you take your dcks outside to play everyday? If you do how do you fit outdoor play time into your already busy schedule when it takes so long to get dressed and undressed to go outside? What time of day do you go outside and how long do you usually stay out? What do you do with infants and toddlers? How do you play in the snow with the kids if you have infants who can't even walk yet or toddlers that can't make it through the snow? I know that I asked a lot of questions. Sorry! I am just really struggling with trying to fit in outdoor play everyday in the winter and still get everything else done that needs to be done. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me.

[Michael]

Some more helpful threads on Outside Winter Activities https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...de+play+winter

[Neekie]

Thanks Michael!

[Blackcat31]

For those of you who live in areas where there is quite a bit of cold weather and snow in the winter, do you take your dcks outside to play everyday? If you do how do you fit outdoor play time into your already busy schedule when it takes so long to get dressed and undressed to go outside? What time of day do you go outside and how long do you usually stay out? What do you do with infants and toddlers? How do you play in the snow with the kids if you have infants who can't even walk yet or toddlers that can't make it through the snow? I know that I asked a lot of questions. Sorry! I am just really struggling with trying to fit in outdoor play everyday in the winter and still get everything else done that needs to be done. I would appreciate any help or advice you can give me.

I don't take infants but when I did, I just bundled them up and took them outside with us.

As far as the other kids go, they all know how to dress themselves for the most part.

I will zip, snap, tuck and button for them but they know how to get 90% of their winter gear on.

We dress as a group and it goes something like this:....
"Everyone put their snow pants on!"
"Okay, now your boots"
"Now do your jackets and hats"

Then I come along and button them all up.

We go outside in the mornings for atleast 30 minutes and then again in the afternoon for another 30 minutes...longer if the weather is nice.

My DH keeps the snow piled high for sliding and climbing and he snowblows paths around the yard for the kids to play in.

Living where I live, most my kids are pretty skilled at outdoor play in the winter pretty early on.

All my kiddos played outside this morning for almost an hour....we got lots of snow last night and it is still falling.

[dingledine]

I put my littles in strollers, until they can walk well enough, when it is cold/wet/miserable, and I kept them near me, mostly under the patio. I am in Seattle area. The part I disliked the most, is getting them all, and the other kids... bundled up. Then the big girls crying about how cold they are, etc. I think I need to have extra dry gloves on hand. It gets about 45 here, and wet, so their gloves get cold and wet. No fun.

[Play Care]

I don't take infants but when I did, I just bundled them up and took them outside with us.

As far as the other kids go, they all know how to dress themselves for the most part.

I will zip, snap, tuck and button for them but they know how to get 90% of their winter gear on.

We dress as a group and it goes something like this:....
"Everyone put their snow pants on!"
"Okay, now your boots"
"Now do your jackets and hats"

Then I come along and button them all up.

We go outside in the mornings for atleast 30 minutes and then again in the afternoon for another 30 minutes...longer if the weather is nice.

My DH keeps the snow piled high for sliding and climbing and he snowblows paths around the yard for the kids to play in.

Living where I live, most my kids are pretty skilled at outdoor play in the winter pretty early on.

All my kiddos played outside this morning for almost an hour....we got lots of snow last night and it is still falling.

This. Except it has not snowed here yet

[grandmom]

In Washington we are required to go outside every day for a minimum of 30 minutes, unless it's 20 or below. Seriously.

But what if the parents don't want the child outside when it's that cold? We were told, it was our job to educate the parents.

But what if the parents don't bring coats or hats? We were reminded of the 20 minute requirement every day.

Some areas of Washington get very cold, for months at a time.

Ugh.

[LK5kids]

I must go out 1 degree or warmer if I have all 2 yr olds and up. I must go out 20 degrees or up if I have infants and in the mix. I have a really young group and I do not do snow suits. Everyone will have to have boots, hats, mittens, etc. and we will take a walk around the block. Totally allowed.

If we don't have tons of snow we will play in the back yard too.

[dingledine]

In Washington we are required to go outside every day for a minimum of 30 minutes, unless it's 20 or below. Seriously.

But what if the parents don't want the child outside when it's that cold? We were told, it was our job to educate the parents.

But what if the parents don't bring coats or hats? We were reminded of the 20 minute requirement every day.

Some areas of Washington get very cold, for months at a time.

Ugh.

Yes, I am in Seattle area... it blows, kids wet hands, wet mittens, and now with the Early Achievers it is one hour or more.....................

[Neekie]

I must go out 1 degree or warmer if I have all 2 yr olds and up. I must go out 20 degrees or up if I have infants and in the mix. I have a really young group and I do not do snow suits. Everyone will have to have boots, hats, mittens, etc. and we will take a walk around the block. Totally allowed.

If we don't have tons of snow we will play in the back yard too.

Very helpful information. I am really confused because my licenser says that I need to take the older kids out even if it is too cold for the kids under two. When I asked her how I am supposed to do that, she said I could either let the older kids including my two year old go outside by themselves or leave the little ones indoors by themselves and just take a monitor out with me. Now I never have done that and I refuse to start doing that now. I am uncomfortable with that especially since my day care is on the second floor. I am sure I would have injuries and angry parents and then I would be in trouble cause somebody got hurt on my watch. I would probably be written up for lack of supervision by licensing and sued by the parents. No thank you! What you say makes a lot of sense and that is what I am going to do. If it's legal for you than it's legal for me cause I think we are both in the same state.

What do you do when walking with non walking children though and the sidewalks are covered with ice and snow and you can't push a stroller through it? I have thought of getting a jogging stroller, but my husband said NO!

[Familycare71]

Very helpful information. I am really confused because my licenser says that I need to take the older kids out even if it is too cold for the kids under two. When I asked her how I am supposed to do that, she said I could either let the older kids including my two year old go outside by themselves or leave the little ones indoors by themselves and just take a monitor out with me. Now I never have done that and I refuse to start doing that now. I am uncomfortable with that especially since my day care is on the second floor. I am sure I would have injuries and angry parents and then I would be in trouble cause somebody got hurt on my watch. I would probably be written up for lack of supervision by licensing and sued by the parents. No thank you! What you say makes a lot of sense and that is what I am going to do. If it's legal for you than it's legal for me cause I think we are both in the same state.

What do you do when walking with non walking children though and the sidewalks are covered with ice and snow and you can't push a stroller through it? I have thought of getting a jogging stroller, but my husband said NO!

She told you to leave awake children alone in your house!?!? Or let a 2 year outside alone!?!? That is insane!!!!

[MamaBearCanada]

Very helpful information. I am really confused because my licenser says that I need to take the older kids out even if it is too cold for the kids under two. When I asked her how I am supposed to do that, she said I could either let the older kids including my two year old go outside by themselves or leave the little ones indoors by themselves and just take a monitor out with me. Now I never have done that and I refuse to start doing that now. I am uncomfortable with that especially since my day care is on the second floor. I am sure I would have injuries and angry parents and then I would be in trouble cause somebody got hurt on my watch. I would probably be written up for lack of supervision by licensing and sued by the parents. No thank you! What you say makes a lot of sense and that is what I am going to do. If it's legal for you than it's legal for me cause I think we are both in the same state.

What do you do when walking with non walking children though and the sidewalks are covered with ice and snow and you can't push a stroller through it? I have thought of getting a jogging stroller, but my husband said NO!

You could use a sled or some wagons come with skis you can switch out with wheels. Some people use baby carriers but i worry about slipping myself and falling with a baby. I have also taken an exersaucer outside with a tarp under it for my own non- walking child to play in or an empty plastic sandbox.

[Cradle2crayons]

Another reason I'm glad I'm legally unlicensed.

I determine when it's too cold for the kids to go outside, not the state.

I require parents bring the one piece snow suit type outfit to leave here forth very cold days. Or coveralls, whichever they prefer.

They also come in coats and shoes so if its not as cold, we use that. I also require hats.

I may be in the south but we have brutal winters also. Mainly due to the humidity. Yes, it does snow here, but mostly it ices a lot.

[SilverSabre25]

Yeah...it snowed in central OH this morning. More like rain-slush-snow-mess. But there is a light coating of snow on flat things.

I'm not going outside today because of COURSE dcb's did NOT come with proper stuff and I haven't sent home my note about proper stuff yet.

Tomorrow night I will hand dcm a letter that explains that for cold weather I need:
Snowpants
Boots
GOOD mittens (waterproof ones, NOT thin stupid ones)
a Hat
a pair of socks

TO BE LEFT HERE. And That is the part that my dcparents usually don't get. They bring stuff and then want to take it home when there is snow on the ground. Then they never bring it back. So I'm not okay with that anymore.

And if she doesn't want to buy the stuff herself, she can pay me $30 PER KID and I'll get it all myself.

[LK5kids]

Very helpful information. I am really confused because my licenser says that I need to take the older kids out even if it is too cold for the kids under two. When I asked her how I am supposed to do that, she said I could either let the older kids including my two year old go outside by themselves or leave the little ones indoors by themselves and just take a monitor out with me. Now I never have done that and I refuse to start doing that now. I am uncomfortable with that especially since my day care is on the second floor. I am sure I would have injuries and angry parents and then I would be in trouble cause somebody got hurt on my watch. I would probably be written up for lack of supervision by licensing and sued by the parents. No thank you! What you say makes a lot of sense and that is what I am going to do. If it's legal for you than it's legal for me cause I think we are both in the same state.

What do you do when walking with non walking children though and the sidewalks are covered with ice and snow and you can't push a stroller through it? I have thought of getting a jogging stroller, but my husband said NO!

I pm'd you. As far as non-walking I will still use the stroller. My neighbors keep their walks really clear. I will only have one non-walker. I also have a wagon with a seat belt. It's easier to pull than push! I do think it could get tough, as sometimes my backyard is all ice and dangerous! It was last year. My licensor told me just take them out and walk around the house. That would be fine.