What Winter Can Teach Us

Outdoor play doesn’t have to stop in winter. Just because it’s cold out does not mean that you have to stay indoors. There are a lot of benefits to getting outside in winter, and a lot that you can learn. As long as everyone bundles up, winter is a great season to explore outside. You get to experience places in a whole new way. There is so much fun to be had outdoors in the winter and so much that we can learn from the cold, snow, and ice.

The benefits of outdoor play do not disappear in the winter. I think it is even more important. I don’t know about you, but I’m just not as happy in the winter. Sure, I love the cozy snuggles on the couch under a blanket watching a movie, but I get antsy. Getting outside in the winter gives us that vital boost to our mood that comes with getting our dose of vitamin D!

Fresh air revitalizes my brain and sunshine brightens my mood. It doesn’t have to be warm to feel better by getting out into nature. Winter can teach a lot. Make sure to read to the end for tips on bundling up and staying warm!

Check out my toddler’s winter bucket list for lots of indoor and outdoor activities to do!

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What Winter Can Teach Us

Snowflakes

My favorite part of winter. Snowflakes are so beautiful. I love to watch them fall and try to catch them on my tongue. It’s amazing to watch as they stick to a panel of glass and, just before they melt, you can see it’s unique shape. No two are the same, just like humans. None of us are the same. There is something unique and special about each individual person, just as there is about each individual snowflake. They are the perfect illustration.

Next time it snows, bundle up and grab a large glass baking dish or any other clear glass item you have. Go outside and lay down holding it above your head. Watch the snowflakes as they hit the glass, seeing their shapes before they disappear. Use this to learn about individuality and then stand up and see who can catch the most snowflakes on their tongue!

Cold

Winter is a season of cold so why not use the cold to learn. Take a glass of hot/warm water outside on a cold day. Watch as droplets of water form on the outside and use this as an opportunity to learn about condensation. Watch your breath clouds form and talk about how when it is really cold outside the water in your breath condenses into a little cloud. Talk about how it is the same process in which the big clouds in the sky are made. With this simple activity on a cold winter day, you can learn and teach so much.

Winter is such a great season to learn about temperature.

If it is cold enough, maybe that water that you brought out will freeze. Maybe you can throw it in the air and see how FAST it will freeze. Try it again on another day that isn’t as cold, or on a day that is colder. Was there a difference? When my boys are old enough, I want to make a little experiment out of it.

The Winter Temperature Experiment

Note: This only works if you live somewhere that gets cold enough for water to freeze outside.

Purpose:

To test how the outside temperature affects the freezing rate of water.

Supplies:

• Ice cube tray
• Timer
• Thermometer
• Water
• Paper to record results

Method:

Fill ice cube trap with water. Record the temperature of the water, then record the outdoor temperature. Put ice cube tray outside and time how long it takes to freeze. Repeat for as many days as you want with varying temperatures so that you can see the difference.

Every activity that you do outside in winter can be turned into a learning experience.

We can learn about gravity and angles by sledding. Demonstrate how the sled goes faster on a steeper hill. Talk about friction and how snow provides less friction than grass which is why you go flying down on a sled in the winter. Or just enjoy the moment together and bond while laughing down the hill.

Snowmen can teach anatomy. Where do the arms go? What looks like a nose? How many eyes does he have? They also teach about sizes as you make your big balls of snow and stack them from biggest to smallest.

Snowballs help you learn to throw, and dodge while having a great time. Draw a big circle in the snow and see how many you can throw into the target. You can make several and organize them according to size. Feel the difference between different types of snow and talk about texture.

Turn any of the activities on our bucket list into learning opportunities!

#ElaWildChallenge

I challenge you to get outside this winter. Go out and play in nature, even though it is cold. Use that cold to learn and bond together. Investigate the snow and the ice. Count the icicles hanging from the house and turn every moment into a special one. Winter is a great time to learn and bond with our children and so much of this can be done outside. So snap a picture of you learning outside this winter. Maybe you tried my winter science experiment or watched the snowflakes fall from the sky. If it was sledding, building a snowman, or playing with snowballs, snap a picture and post it on Instagram using #ElaWildChallenge . I can’t wait to see you all outside, learning and having fun while inspiring others to do the same.

Check out some great Snow Play Ideas and learn the benefits in another installment of Ela Wild’s “What Nature Can Teach Us”.

How to Dress for Winter Outdoors

Dressing properly for outdoor play in the winter is important. The last thing that you want is to end the fun because someone got too cold and/or wet. I’m a big fan of layering in the winter to stay warm and enable us to play outside longer.

Long Underwear

This is your base layer and should fit snuggly. You want long underwear to be made from wool or a synthetic blend, not cotton. Cotton traps moisture so you can end up feeling colder. Wool or synthetic blends are best as they whisk away moisture as it insulates your body.

Snowsuit

This is your outermost layer. They keep you warm and help keep you dry. For myself, and my oldest, I prefer to have a bib and a jacket. For babies, they make one-piece snowsuits that are great.

Socks

Just like long underwear, good winter socks need to wick moisture away to keep feet warm. This means that wool or synthetic blend socks are best to keep toes from getting cold.

Boots

Waterproof, insulated winter boots are key! Nobody likes cold feet, so a good boot is so important when playing in both rain and snow.

Sunscreen

Yes! You need sunscreen in winter. The sun reflects off of snow and can be more intense. Protect any exposed skin with sunscreen even in the winter.

Gloves/Mittens

I have found that we need two pairs, one knit and one for snow. That way we are prepared for all scenarios. Snow gloves aren’t always needed on a cold day, so the knit gloves allow my son to have more mobility in his hands than he has with snow gloves.

Hat

A lot of heat escapes through your head. That is why a good winter hat is essential for staying warm. My kids refuse to wear scarves, so I like to get hats that cover their ears too.

Check out these cute hat and glove sets I found on Amazon!

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