Once the snow starts flying around Rexburg, a lot of parents start wondering the same thing: is it actually good for little ones to be outside right now, or should everyone just hunker down until spring? The good news is that your child does not need to lose outdoor time just because it is cold. They need a few extra layers, a little planning, and permission to go enjoy it.
Why outdoor play still matters once it is cold
Nothing about the benefits of outdoor play disappears when the temperature drops.
- Movement. The CDC says children ages 3 to 5 should be physically active throughout the day, with caregivers encouraging active play like running, jumping or riding a tricycle. Winter play, stomping through snow, pulling a sled, throwing snowballs, counts.
- Motor skills. Walking on snow and ice, climbing over a snowbank, or packing a snowball all ask little bodies to balance and coordinate in new ways that flat indoor floors do not.
- Fresh air and a change of scenery. A little one who has been cooped up indoors for days is often the same little one having a hard afternoon. Fresh air and a change of scenery can help reset everyone's mood, including the grown ups.
- Natural light. Days are short in Eastern Idaho right now, so a few minutes outside while the sun is up is worth more than it might seem.
None of this means a child needs to be outside for hours in freezing temperatures. It means a little outdoor time, done safely, is still worth it.
How to do it safely
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers clear guidance for cold weather play:
- Dress in layers, and keep them dry. Several thin layers trap warmth better than one thick one, and wet clothing is one of the biggest causes of a child getting too cold. Pack an extra set of mittens if snow play is on the agenda.
- Cover the extremities. A hat, mittens or gloves, and warm, waterproof boots make the biggest difference in comfort.
- Set a reasonable time limit, and build in warm up breaks. Young children are more vulnerable to cold than adults because their smaller bodies lose heat faster, and they are often having too much fun to notice they are cold. A grown up needs to be the one keeping track of time and calling the warm up break.
- Skip the bulky snowsuit in the car seat. Thick, puffy coats can keep car seat straps from fitting snugly. Buckle your child in with thin layers, then add the coat over the top of the buckled straps once you arrive.
- Keep sick kids home. A child with a fever, cough or other illness should stay inside and away from other children, even for outdoor play.
For more on exactly how to layer your little one for an Idaho winter, from base layer to boots, see our earlier post, Dressing Kids for Idaho's Cold Weather.
Know the warning signs of frostbite (numbness, or skin that looks pale, gray or waxy) and hypothermia (shivering, clumsiness, unusual sleepiness or confusion). If you notice any of these, bring your child inside right away, warm them gradually, and call your pediatrician or seek medical care promptly. This is one area where it is always better to check with a doctor than to wait and see.
Making winter outdoor time easy
A few small habits make cold weather play much less of a production:
- Keep a winter bag by the door with a spare hat, mittens and socks, so you are never searching at the last minute.
- Go out right after a meal or snack, when little bodies have fuel to burn and stay warmer.
- Pick a short, simple goal instead of an open ended outing. Ten minutes of stomping through the yard or sledding down a small hill is plenty for a toddler or preschooler.
- Let them get a little wet and messy. Snow play is rarely tidy, and that is part of what makes it fun.
- Watch the wind, not just the thermometer. A calm 20 degree afternoon can feel far more comfortable than a windy 30 degree one, so check the wind chill before you decide how long to stay out.
The bottom line
Winter in Rexburg does not mean months of staying indoors. With the right layers, a reasonable time limit, and a grown up keeping an eye on warning signs, outdoor play can keep little ones moving, curious and in a better mood all season long. Bundle up and go enjoy a little bit of the snow together.
Sources: CDC, Child Activity: An Overview; American Academy of Pediatrics, Cold Weather Safety
