Tips for Those Who Despise Cold Weather
Can I let you in on a little secret? I despise the cold! Unfortunately we all live in Michigan where is colder than cold much of the year. My lower limit tends to be around 28 degrees though we still head outside when it's colder. It can be a substantial struggle to get outside when the temps drop below freezing. Then throw in some clouds, wind and moisture and it's easy for everyone to be miserable.
What's a family to do during the dreary days of winter? Staying inside for four isn't a healthy option. As families, we have to get outside. We need it for our mental health. We need the fresh air. We need to break up the routine. Mostly, we need the movement. My kids move so much less when they are cooped up inside day in and day out.
Here are five tips for increasing nature time when you'd really rather be snuggled up in front of a fireplace.
1. Utilize outside places with an inside option.
I'm saying this again because it truly is the number one key. Utilize outside places with an inside option. You must find the right places to go. This is absolutely key. During non-winter months are bucket list of places is so long we don't ever even come close to completely it. During the winter there only two types of places that we go besides our backyard: zoo or nature centers. The criteria is that there must be a warm building on the premises where we can go inside to warm up, use a restroom, and possibly eat a meal or at least a snack. For us, there are six or seven nature centers and three zoos within a reasonable driving distance. That's what we stick with.
2. Wear woolens during any month that has the letter "R" in it.
If you look at the picture to the left you will notice three coatless kids. This particular day was 26 degrees. They had winter coats on for most of the time we were outside but after running around for a while they got too hot and took their coats off for a little while. That is why I am a die-hard fan of the woolen underlayer. Are you ready for some science? Wool hair fibers are coiled and trap moisture in all the microscopic spaces among the fibers. Wool can absorb 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet because water becomes trapped inside the wool fibers. Here's the key: As wool traps moisture it generates heat. The hydrogen bond of the water breaks and binds to the chemical structure of the fibers. When that happens small amounts of heat energy are released. Just two pounds of wool can generate as much heat as an electric blanket. Even before I knew the science behind it I always noticed that when my kids have a wool base layer and I touch their little bellies after a frigid day outside it feels like I've put my hands in a warm oven. This happens only when they are wearing a wool underlayer .
Cotton garments soak up as moisture like a sponge and will stay sopping wet for an incredibly long time. That water in the cotton garment pulls immense amounts of heat from your body. So consider a child who is outside running around and sweating. If the child is wearing wool that garment will heat up like an electric blanket. If the child is wearing cotton, however, that garment will actually steal their heat. Active children outside need wool against their bodies.
There is a sage advice that says a wool underlayer should be worn at all times during any month with the letter "R" in it. Beyond the heat it generates wool is also antimicrobial, environmentally sustainable, and hypoallergenic. You're not going to find a wool shirt at a from Carters at a $5 doorbusters sale. These garments are much more expensive than we are used to paying for kids clothes. They run around $50 a garment but they are worth their weight in gold. We started with one garment per kid the first season (long sleeved shirt) and we've added one item each year (pants, tank top). We buy big and use for two years, often passing down the next child. Because of the coiled shape, wool fibers have natural elasticity and can bend 20,000 times without breaking. These are incredibly sturdy pieces of clothing. Cotton can only bend 3,000 times before breaking and silk 2,000 times. In decades past woolens were considered family heirlooms.
We always put our children in their woolens when they get sick. In this way their bodies don't have to work so hard for them to stay warm and this decreases the amount of time it takes for them to heal. For so many reasons it's worth it to have woolens for your kids. Look around at resale shops, ask in the online marketplaces, consider asking for them for a gift. Try your best to make sure you have a wool underlayer for your child during the "R" months.
3. Embrace snow activities.
Kids love the snow. They are drawn to it. They love to build igloos. Make snow angels. Go sledding. Break up the ice with their boots. Throw snowballs. Make forts. Shovel. Find icicles. Spray snow with colored water. Ice fish. Eat snow cones. Ice skate. Make snow angels. Ski. Snowshoe. Make a snowman. I've seen some of the most thrilled faces on children who are outside playing in the snow. Dress warmly and enjoy their happiness!!
4. Add to your outside hours little bits at a time.
Don't aim for four hours. Aim for one or two. In my experience I've found that almost every kid can last thing long. Another idea came from a friend of mine. She sends her kids out in the backyard for the first 10 minutes of every hour. This option is only doable if your kids are pretty self-sufficient with their winter gear. If they aren't, this is probably too much work until they are older.
5. As much as you can schedule your life using your weather app.
If I am committed to extended fresh air per week for my children I have to schedule that first when it's likely that the weather will be awful most days. It's become so easy to look a the week ahead and see which days are the best fit for being outside. Sometimes we rearrange plans. If there's going to be a day when it's 31 and sunny we might skip an indoor activity we have planned and go outside instead.
