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Winter Activities
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Okay, I think this question has been asked before but what do you all do for winter physical activities? We try to get out side for Nature walks as much as possible but it’s starting to get really cold here in Michigan and we’re having a hard time adjusting to the dropping temperatures. I know that the kids need MORE activity this winter and not sure how to incorporate it into our day – especially when we can’t get outside. I would love to hear your suggestions!!
In Him,
Heather
Dance tapes/videos, a Twister game, a small set of soft foam frisbees and a clear space in the house. When I was a little girl, we had a big open cement floor in our basement with a big pole in the middle, and we rollerskated around down there endlessly. 🙂
Pillow fights, sock basketball, etc.
Put on some music and let the kids dance/run/move to it. Vary the music so they have to move fast and slow. If you can stand the noise, let them make instruments and play along with the music.
Teach the kids how to somersault and let them spend time somersaulting.
If you have carpeting, get carpet skates for the kids.
Play Simon Says.
My youngest always had to move when he was younger. One day he measured the longest path through the house and figured out how many times he had to walk the path to walk a mile. He would walk a mile or more every time he felt a need for more activity. You could do the same with your kids. Or you could have them hop, skip, crawl, etc. through the longest “straight” path through the house to give them some exercise. Vary what they have to do and keep it fun.
And on days when you can get out:
Let them make igloos in the snow.
Make snowmen, or learn the art of snow sculpting. 🙂
Go sledding.
Have older ones pull younger ones on sleds.
Make snow angels.
Give them spray bottles filled with colored water to “paint” the snow.
Catch snowflakes on dark cloth and look at them with a magnifying glass.
Karen shared: “If you have carpeting, get carpet skates for the kids.”
Thanks for sharing Karen – I had never heard of these and after checking into them on-line we have the perfect gift for our children now. We are very careful with toys, so this is such a blessing (if I may say so) that Heather posted a request for winter activities. I thank you both!
In Christ,
Rebecca
What great ideas! I have to say that last year for Christmas we did get our boys carpet skates and they absolutely LOVED them. I almost forgot about them and will be sure to pull them out this winter – even today maybe! 🙂
Thanks so much, ladies! I truly appreciate all of your great ideas! Anyone else have anything to add? How about for teenagers? 🙂
Heather
How about getting a learn to juggle book or video and letting the teens learn juggling? Klutz has a book Juggling for the Complete Klutz that comes with three bean bags for juggling.
What a great idea, Karen! Thanks for all of your wonderful suggestions. I think I’m actually looking forward to this winter now. 🙂
By the way, learning to juggle with scarves makes it easy to have some early success. Scarves kind of float in the air and give you more time to react.
We recently ran across something at a store that might make for good indoor physical activity, especially for the younger kids. It’s called Twister Hopscotch. It’s a hopscotch game played with colored plastic rings that are placed on the floor in patterns. It uses a spinner to give it some variation, such as “avoid blue”, etc. It’s labeled ages 4 and up.
Have any of you tried it?
This past week it has been in the upper 30s, so I pulled the cars out of the garage and brought the electric heater out there. The kids rode their scooters around the garage and the little space heater made it a little warmer.
I also let the boys put their swimsuits on and take a long bath in the afternoon sometimes, this also helps from freezing at night when you get out of the tub.
Charlotte Mason said 4 to 6 hours from April to October and 2 hours in the winter but she lived in a moderate climate like where we live. I like the idea of opening a window an inch to bring in some fresh air at least in one room with the door closed to the rest of the house. I would just do your best. We invested in cold weather clothing and rain gear and that makes it a bit easier to get out but it can get spendy to clothe them each year.
My youngest was so excited about the Twister Hopscotch that I forgot to thank the other ladies for sharing great winter ideas. My middle son thinks the heater in the garage sounds great and my oldest thinks hacky sack might be interesting.
Its VERY cold here in Michigan- 20’s. We can only handle about an hour outside at a time. I envy those of you in warmer climates. I can get discouraged knowing we have 3 months of this left. However, we do have the most beautiful summers and never have to stay inside because of the heat.
I’d love to share a cup of hot cocoa (or tea) with y’all in front of a warm fire.
Blessings, Heather
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