Month: January 2020

  • INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

    Hidden Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play for Children

    As the old saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life!” And nothing provides quite a much variety throughout life as the changes of the seasons. When the seasons change, a whole host of new outdoor activities become available for families and for children. And winter is no exception. Today we have Ginny from 1000 Hours Outside, a homeschooling mom from Michigan (where it is a balmy 21 degrees outside, which may actually feel quite nice depending on where you live) sharing her perspective on the benefits of outdoor winter play. Instead of riding out the frigid temperatures and waiting for spring, we hope this post will encourage you to head outside for some beneficial outdoor winter play!

    Outdoor Winter Play is Worth Every Bit of Your Time - hidden benefits of playing outside in the winter for kids

    Benefits of Outdoor Winter Play

    Winter is worth it

    Depending on your location, there will be certain seasons that are more conducive to outside time than others. Winter is probably not too many parents’ favorite season for outdoor play. The gloves, the hats, the scarves, the snow pants, the layers, the whining! We know! We know! It probably takes longer for you to get everyone dressed in their layers than the time you actually spend in the open air. Am I right?

    Yes, you’ll have a pile of wet and melting gear afterward. And lots of muddy clothes to wash. But, instead of looking at seasons as good or bad we like to look at them as opportunities to try new things. Yes, winter brings its own set of challenges, but it also brings special magical outdoor activities you can’t do any other time. We promise you that getting outside in the winter months is worth your time and effort! Read on to learn just some of the benefits of outdoor winter play. We just might turn you into a fan of winter after all!

    benefits of outdoor winter play for kids

    Winter play enhances brain function

    Did you know that increasingly complex movements enhance brain function? We tend to think of movements becoming more intricate only through that first year of life. A baby begins by lifting the head and then pushing to all fours. Next, baby is crawling pulling up and finally walking, all within a relatively short span of time. But what then?

    After those initial milestones, the milestones continue though not as linearly. Think of the complexity of bike riding and swimming, pitching a baseball and climbing a tree. Children who are given ample time to play outside and try these activities will naturally progress to more difficult bodily movements, all while boosting brain function.

    In Smart Moves: (Why Learning is Not All in Your Head), Carla Hannaford, Ph.D. writes “Elderly people who dance regularly decrease their risk of dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease by 76% and those that play a musical instrument decrease the risk by 69%.” These statistics portray the importance of sophisticated movements.

    So what, you say. What does all of this have to do with outdoor winter play? Well, I’m so glad you asked! Consider the movements associated with outdoor winter play beginning with the simple act of walking in snow or on ice (in thick/heavy boots and clothing, no less). Immediately, the brain is fired up! This is a new experience – and a complex one. Legs must go higher, balance is tested. Throw in some other activities such as sledding, skiing, ice-skating, snow-shoeing, rolling and even throwing snowballs and you’ve got yourself a season that is filled with opportunities for children to challenge themselves in complex physical ways that benefit their brains and bodies.

    Running Through the Snow - physical benefits of playing outside in the winter months

    Outdoor winter play enhances creativity

    Winter brings all new possibilities for creative play, imagination and construction. Forget sandcastes, build a frozen snow castle! Or snowmen, snow mountains, snow towers, snow forts, snow volcanoes, snow lanterns, snow sculptures, snow cakes, etc. You can paint the snow, eat the snow, and make angels in the snow. Snow and ice offer kids a never-ending supply of elements for creative little minds.

    There are endless ideas floating around about using simple things you probably already have on hand like food coloring and bowls to create ice ornaments. Or mix food coloring with water in a spray bottle and letting the kids have at it. Interestingly, there is also so much variation between the types of snow that falls. Is it wet snow? Will it pack? Is it dense or light and flaky? Is it good for sledding? Building snowman? And then how should we dress the snowman? You get the picture!

    It can be easy to think of a season where everything seems monochrome as drab, one without possibilities. But the elements of outdoor winter play are so open-ended that we have at our finger-tips a literal blank canvas of endless opportunity! Creative opportunities abound during this marvelous season!

    Snow and ice offer creative outlets for kids - benefits of outdoor winter playCreative Play in Snow and Ice Makes for Stronger Healthier Smarter Kids

    Winter play enhances physical health and development

    Fresh air does a body good, but so does movement. A good romp in the snow will get the lymphatic system moving, helping our bodies clear out unwanted toxins. Additionally, these outdoor winter play movements involve muscles that may not get as much use in other seasons. The simple act of pulling a sled up a hill gives the legs a magnificent workout. In what other season would we go up and down hills over and over? This trudging through deep snow time and again does so much for a child’s physical development.

    Winter is also a time for advancing core strength. All of the balance work, keeping the body upright while sledding down a hill or slip-sliding across a frozen pond, engages the core. Shoveling helps in the exact same way and is considered “heavy work; that is, any type of activity that pushes or pulls against the body. Heavy work is crucial for developing body awareness.

    And while this is great for your child’s physical health, there’s another perk of outdoor winter play you may not be aware of! All of this intense physical activity will inadvertently help your child in academia! Students who have a strong core don’t have to expend energy or constantly think about sitting at a desk. It is a well-known phenomenon that this is something many young people struggle with these days, to the point of even falling out of the chairs at school. There’s such a cross-over between all of these benefits!

    Hidden benefits of outdoor winter play for kidsWinter play strengthens relational bonds

    Outdoor winter play engages all the senses. This is one of the reasons time in nature is often so memorable. Some of my favorite childhood memories are shoveling snow with my dad in the early mornings when it seemed that all the world was fast asleep. I remember the dark, the biting cold, and the rhythmic sounds of the shovel against the cement. I can still recall the huge piles of snow that would accumulate along the edges of the driveway, the bit of observation needs to shovel in the right direction so the wind wouldn’t bring it all right back, I remember that indescribable feeling when you’re all finished and you head inside to warm up.

    Isn’t this one the simplest things in life? Shoveling with my dad. Just me and him. It doesn’t seem like the kind of exciting memory that a child would value above so many other super fun and exciting activities, but it mattered. It stuck.  Think about it…how many of your fondest childhood memories and moments happened outside? The connections and memories you make outdoors seem to stick with you much longer than others. The magic of childhood can be found in the most ordinary places, most of which are outside! 

    physical benefits to kids of outdoor winter playHave we convinced you to get outside this winter?
    What are some of your outdoor memories from childhood?

    About the Author

    Ginny is a Michigan homeschooling mother of five and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside. She is a thought-leader in the world of nature-based play and its benefits for children. Her 1000 Hours Outside Challenge spans the globe and many people from all walks of life look to her for inspiration as well as practical tips on how to put down the screens and get outside. Ginny has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Michigan and is also a children’s book author and illustrator. Her book, The Little Farmhouse in West Virginia was published in February 2019.

    You can find more from Ginny in the following locations:
    Website: http://www.1000HoursOutside.com
    Instagram: @1000hoursoutside
    Facebook: @1000hoursoutside
    RWMC posts: Ginny Yurich

  • FAVORITE GEAR, HIKE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Hiking With A Toddler

    Hiking with kids of any age is always an adventure. But, hiking with a toddler (age 1-3) presents its own set of unique challenges and obstacles. However, we believe that hiking with our kids, even in those difficult toddler years, is incredibly beneficial, rewarding and (dare we say) fun! Whether you’re hiking in national parks or on local trails close to home, making the extra effort to go hiking with a toddler is worth it and sets your family up for years of amazing adventures together. We’re here to help you get started and answer all your questions about hiking with toddlers.

    How to go hiking with a toddler

    Hiking has always been a favorite activity for our family. Long before we had kids, my husband and I loved to hike together. We like challenging ourselves, discovering new places, and that feeling of getting immersed in nature. Once we had kids, we didn’t want our adventures to end and decided to bring the baby on hikes with us. At first, we stuck to trails close to home and used a baby carrier. It slowed us down a little, but we didn’t mind. He slept in the carrier or happily took in the sights, kicking and cooing along the way. But then, he turned into a toddler and everything changed!

    Toddlers have a mind of their own. They’re often assertive and stubborn, opinionated and demanding. They’re learning what they like and how to assert their independence. These are good things, but they can certainly make any activity much more difficult. After three kids (the youngest still squarely in the toddler years), we’ve learned how to hike with a toddler so that it’s enjoyable for everyone. In this post, we’re sharing our top tips and tricks for hiking with toddlers.

    Tips for Winter Hiking with Kids & Toddlers

    Choose the right trail

    Choosing the right trail for your toddler is half the battle. Before you attempt a hike with kids, you’ll need to do a bit of homework to make sure the trail is safe, not too long and enjoyable for the little ones. Be realistic about what kind of hikes you can do with a toddler and what is safe/best for your little hiker. Not only consider the length of the trail, but make sure the hike’s not too steep or has lots of uneven terrain. Stay away from unprotected sheer cliffs, mud, swift rivers, etc. For your first few hikes with your toddler, try a short flat paved trail. As your kids get older and more experienced, you can add tougher and longer trails to your hiking adventures.

    If you’re not familiar with the trails in your area, there are plenty of resources where you can ask questions and find answers. Travel guides and local websites are great. The AllTrails app is also very helpful and provides information such as trail length, elevation and difficulty. Plus, there are detailed maps and you can search your area for “kid-friendly” trails. If you’re hiking in national or state parks, ask the rangers and park employees for advice and recommendations for appropriate trails.

    What to wear when winter hiking with kids

    Dress for the occasion

    When hiking with a toddler, make sure you dress them in appropriate clothing for the season and weather. If you’re hiking in the winter, we recommend layers. Start with a warm base layer, then add on from there. Your toddler may get warm if she’s running around, hiking on her own and playing. At this point, you can remove layers so she’s comfortable. However, if she gets tired and needs to be carried, she may cool off and need to put the layers back on. For winter hiking with a toddler, we also recommend a warm hat that covers ears, mittens, wool socks, and waterproof shoes. Toddlers can’t resist a good mud puddle and nothing will ruin a hike quicker than cold wet feet!

    Games to play when hiking with kids

    Shoes matter

    Speaking of the proper shoes, they matter when hiking. Toddlers in particular benefit from wearing proper shoes when hiking. We know it may seem like a waste of money to buy hiking shoes for toddlers when they’ll outgrow them in a few months. However, sturdy shoes with good treads are essential for a successful hike. Cold feet, uncomfortable shoes or blisters will kill a child’s enthusiasm for hiking.

    For winter hiking with kids, we love the waterproof and insulated boots from See Kai Run. They’re seam-sealed and waterproof, with thermoplastic rubbles soles for maximum grip on wet and snowy terrain. They have a 3M Thinsulate thermal lining to keep feet extra warm in cold weather. Because of the thicker lining, we recommend sizing up at least one full size (or even 2 sizes) for a proper fit with thick socks, allowing extra wiggle room for toes.

    When investing in good outdoor gear for kids, we also recommend buying gender-neutral gear, so that you can hand down gear and clothing among siblings without issue. This has saved us a lot over the years, as kids tend to outgrow seasonal gear much quicker than they can wear it out. Particularly when you get good high-quality products like these See Kai Run boots.

    Best Kids Hiking Boots & Shoes

    Invest in a good backpack or carrier

    And since we’re talking about gear, we also recommend bringing along a quality backpack carrier when hiking with toddlers. Very rarely will a toddler be able to finish a hike completely on their own. At some point, you’re probably going to have to carry him. When this inevitably happens, you’ll be super grateful for that carrier or hiking backpack.

    When just getting started hiking with a toddler, we started out using the ErgoBaby carrier. For short hikes with small kids, this worked out great. However, as our toddler got a bit bigger and our hikes got longer, we upgraded to a structured hiking backpack. There are lots of options out there for quality hiking backpacks and you should definitely try a few of them out at the store to decide which one you like. We highly recommend the Osprey Poco AG carrier. It’s got an anti-gravity suspension system with a lightweight aluminum frame and a mesh harness and back panel to keep you cool and comfortable.

    Hiking with toddlers - advice for parents

    Make your toddler walk

    While carriers are great, make sure you let your toddler down to walk and explore as much as they can! One of the best things about hiking with a toddler is watching them explore the area around them. For kids, hiking is less about getting somewhere than having fun and playing along the way. The more your toddler can walk/hike on their own, the stronger they get and longer they’ll be able to go the next time. And if you don’t rush them or force them down the trail at your speed, they’ll be much more excited about your next hike.

    How to get kids to like hiking

    Pack a bag

    When hiking with a toddler, you need to make sure you bring all the proper and necessary supplies for a successful trip. You’ll not only need to pack hiking supplies, but you’ll need regular “toddler supplies” like diapers, wipes, etc. Here’s what we usually pack in our bag when hiking with a toddler:

    If your toddler is strong-willed and independent (aren’t they all?), try giving them their own small backpack to carry. Not only will they love feeling helpful and grown-up, but it’ll lighten your load. Put a few of your child’s essentials in their backpack, along with a small toy or lovely. Keep it small and light – you can add more once your toddler gets bigger and stronger. Pack the bag together so that your child figures out what he/she needs for hiking, knows where it is and will know what to pack for future hikes. This is also great for when your toddler finds a particular rock or leaf they love and can’t live without. If she wants it, she has to carry it!

    For more info on what to pack when hiking with kids, check out our full list of hiking essentials for families. 

    Pro tip: Keep additional snacks, water and a full change of clothes in the vehicle for the return. You don’t want to carry it all, but there’s a good chance they’ll be wet/muddy/thirsty/hungry when you return to the car.

    Don’t skimp on the snacks

    You should never underestimate the power of snacks for a toddler! Just the word is magic and can get a toddler to do just about anything. When hiking with toddlers, use snacks strategically and wisely. Bring along some fun snacks that you normally give them. That way, when they need a little extra motivation, energy or excitement, you’ve got something special. Also, if they absolutely LOVE hiking snacks, they’re going to be much more willing to go hiking again!  Stop often for snacks along the way and again when you get to your destination. That’s a good place to have a bigger snack or even lunch.

    Some snack ideas my toddlers have loved are apple sauce pouches, yogurt melts, granola bars, fruit snacks or roll-ups, freeze-dried strawberries, pretzels, crackers with peanut butter, frozen grapes, apple slices with caramel sauce, cereal, bananas, Goldfish, trail mix, mixed nuts, granola, etc.

    Best snacks for hiking with kids

    Play games

    My kids love exploring the area around us when we hike, but when they (inevitably) get bored or need some extra motivation, we play games as we hike. Fun games have the ability to turn a boring monotonous activity (walking on a trail) into a fun adventure. You don’t need anything other than your imagination to come up with a fun hiking game.

    Here’s a list of a few of our favorites:

    • Follow the Leader – Young kids and toddlers really love Follow the Leader. We all take turns being the leader on the trail and everyone behind the leader has to do what he/she does. The leader chooses to do things like walking backward, whistling a song, skipping, weaving like a snake, flying like a bird, grapevine walking, hopping, etc.
    • I Spy – We take turns “spying” something and give a clue (“I spy something yellow. I spy something that’s triangular.”) The person who spies the correct thing goes next.
    • Scavenger hunt – Scavenger hunts are really fun for kids of all ages to play and work great on hikes. You can either print off a list/pictures of things you want the kids to look for on their hike or just tell them. Set them up for success by making sure the things on the list will be present on your hike. Include some hard and some easy to find items. They can be specific items (find a bee, red flower, mud puddle) or more abstract (find something soft, something that makes noise).
    • Alphabet game – If you have older kids that know how to spell, you can go through the alphabet and try to find something that begins with each letter. A is for aspen tree. B is for branch. C is for caterpillar.
    • Timed trials – Never underestimate the power of a timer for toddlers. They are all about doing things fast and faster. If your toddler’s having trouble getting down the trail, tell her that you’ll time how long it takes for her to get to the next bench/stump/marker. Then pick the next thing and try to see if she can beat her time! You may even end up with a record-breaking hike!

    Geocaching

    If you have a smartphone with you, try geocaching on your hike! There are tons of fun caches hidden along trails that give kids an extra incentive to keep going and find treasure. We’ve got a great beginner’s guide to geocaching with kids post if you’ve never tried it.

    Tips for Winter Hiking with Toddlers

    Have a destination in mind

    Going on hikes with a predetermined destination in mind gives kids a goal for the hike and helps keep them going. When hiking with toddlers, start with easy hikes that have a fun destination for them, like a creek to explore, a waterfall, a pond where they can skip rocks or a meadow where they can see cows.

    If there’s not a natural destination on your hike, create one! You can do this by choosing a spot to call the destination before hitting the trail. When you get there, break out a picnic lunch or a special snack. Your “destination” can be just a place to stop and play for a while or having a treat! The destination doesn’t have to be anything fancy or super exciting, but just knowing that they have a goal and something to look forward to at the end (or mid-point) of their hike will help keep toddlers motivated to move.

    Choose the right time

    Consider your toddler’s schedule before planning any day hikes. Most toddlers need at least one (if not two) naps a day, plus lots of frequent small meals and snacks. Try to schedule hikes around your child’s schedule to prevent meltdowns, hangry tantrums and over-tiredness. Make sure to bring snacks and water to fuel your child. If your toddler gets too tired, try putting them in your carrier. Our little ones loved napping in the carrier on hikes, which lets the rest of us spend more time on the trails.

    Tired and cranky toddlers are a force to reckon with and can ruin a perfectly lovely outing at the drop of a hat. Do you best to choose the right time to hike with your toddler, but know that meltdowns are going to eventually happen, no matter how much planning you do. Give yourself (and your little one) grace and patience. If your toddler melts down on the trail, do your best to calm her down and get back to your car. Don’t worry, it’s happened to all of us! Hang in there and try again another time.

    kids outdoor activities and tips

    Go slow & explore

    Whether you’re hiking to a destination or if you’re just hiking for the fresh air and sunshine, make sure you go slow and let your toddler explore along the way. When my kids started hiking, sometimes it would take us an hour or more just to go half a mile. While this was initially frustrating to me, I learned to embrace the pace and take pleasure in hiking with kids. Consider the trail from their perspective and find joy in the reprieve from going 1000 mph.

    Before you even leave your house, be prepared to go SLOW and take your time on the hike. Little kids love stopping along the way to look under rocks, find the perfect stick or throw rocks in a puddle. Setting yourself up for a very slow hike will keep you from getting frustrated or antsy. Be prepared for a million questions, a very slow pace and lots of stopping along the way. While going at your toddler’s pace won’t get you very far, it will do wonders for your child’s imagination and give you the chance to answer questions about nature and connect with him/her.

    End with encouragement

    At the end of your hike (and along the way), make sure to give your toddler praise for doing such a great job. Compliment their pace when keeping up. Praise them for things they find/spot along the way. Celebrate when they finish a hike, no matter how long it took. Making them feel like a million bucks when they finish a hike is a sure way to get them to want to do it again. Toddlers love praise and a sense of accomplishment. Be sure to tell them how proud you are of them, how hard they worked and how far they went.

    kids outdoor activities and tips

    Winter hiking with a toddler

    Winter weather adds a whole new complexity to hiking with a toddler. Winter hiking can feel a bit harder than hiking in other seasons, just because of the added gear, layers and precautions you have to take. However, we highly encourage you to push through those, because winter hiking with kids is so incredibly beneficial to them. Not only will they get the fresh air, sunshine and exercise they need in these long dark winter months, but they’ll see things they can’t see any other time and hopefully (eventually) develop a love for all seasons for their unique personalities.

    A few safety tips when winter hiking with a toddler: (1) keep an eye on the weather and be aware of winter warnings and advisories; (2) always tell someone where/when you’re going and when you’ll be back; (3) bring extra layers, extra gloves and extra socks; (4) take your fully-charged cell phone with you on hikes; and (5) warm treats on a cold hike are delicious! Consider packing a thermos of warm chicken noodle soup, oatmeal or hot apple cider.

    What’s your best advice for hiking with a toddler?

     

    * Photos by the amazingly talented Tiffany, mountain mama of three (+) from Texas. Find more of her gorgeous images at @dear.wildlings.
    * For more tried, tested and practical info on this topic, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Hiking with Kids.

  • CRAFTS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

    Winter Outdoor Activities: DIY Frozen Suncatchers

    Ice is both beautiful and fascinating to children and adults, alike. It’s amazing that something as simple as water can turn into a glassy solid in any shape. Kids are easily wowed by the freezing process and mesmerized by the beauty and texture of ice. Today, we’re sharing an easy outdoor winter activity that involves turning water and a few simple natural items into beautiful frozen suncatchers that gleam and glisten in the sun. This activity will not only give your child a chance to explore your outdoor area for fun natural items to incorporate into their suncatchers, but will also teach them about temperature and the freezing process.

    DIY frozen suncatchers

    How to make DIY frozen suncatchers

    DIY frozen suncatchers are a super easy craft that you can make outdoors in the winter. There are so many great things about this craft. Not only does this project get your little ones outside and exploring in the cooler weather, but it also requires little to no prep work and no fancy or expensive supplies. These ice suncatchers can be made anywhere at any time, using any variety of supplies and ingredients from your home and outdoor area. All you need is a little imagination and some patience!

    making frozen suncatchers with kidshow to make frozen suncatchers with kids

    Start by exploring outside and collecting

    There are three main things you need to make DIY frozen suncatchers: water, a container and natural ingredients for decoration. The water and containers can be found in any kitchen. It’s the natural elements that your children collect and include in their suncatchers that will make them each unique and individual. Start this project out by allowing your children to explore your area (yard, neighborhood, local park/woods) and collect small natural items to include in the frozen suncatchers.

    Give each kid a bag or collection box to hold their supplies. Explain that they’ll need a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes of objects to include. Then let them choose what to collect. This not only gets them outside in the fresh air but gets them thinking about the variety of plants, leaves, flowers and natural elements in their area.

    easy outdoor winter activities for kid - frozen suncatcherswinter nature crafts for kids

    DIY Frozen Suncatcher natural ingredients

    You can use absolutely anything in your DIY frozen suncatchers, as long as it’s small enough to fit in the ice! We highly recommend only using natural supplies that will naturally decompose over time and not cause any issues for animals if they consume them. Now is probably not the time to use marbles or coins or anything plastic. Here’s a list of a few items we’ve included in our suncatchers from a walk around our suburban neighborhood.

    • Pine needles
    • Leaves
    • Flowers/petals
    • Twigs
    • Acorns
    • Pebbles
    • Pinecones
    • Birdseed
    • Orange or lemon slices
    • Berries
    • Evergreen branches
    • Nuts
    • Ivy

    If you don’t have access to a place to collect natural supplies or want to get extra fancy, pick up a small bouquet of flowers from your local grocery store and use the petals. You’ll be amazed at how gorgeous a frozen suncatcher you’ll get using a variety of colored flower petals.

    how to make ice suncatchers with kidsDIY ice frozen suncatchers

    Choose the right container

    Once you have your ingredients collected, you’ll want to choose your containers. You can use plastic lids, paper/plastic plates, pie plates, pans, bowls or silicone molds. No need to buy anything new – get creative with what you already have at home! You can use anything from cupcake tins to bundt cake pans! Teacups to ice cube trays. Be advised that the bigger and deeper your container, the longer it will take to freeze. We used a handful of small shallow paper plates, which worked perfectly. If you’re using anything made of paper, I suggest a thin coating of nonstick spray on the paper to keep the ice from sticking.

    easy outdoor nature crafts for kidsnature-inspired frozen suncatcher

    Add the water and natural elements

    Fill your container with the required amount of water. Try to keep the water shallow so that the suncatchers freeze faster, aren’t too heavy to hang and are thin enough to allow sunlight to pass through them. Once you have water in your container, let your kids add the natural elements they collected to the water in any design of your choosing. Let them create shapes with the items or lay them out in any design of their choosing. Just be aware of shifting items if you have to move them. If possible, make the suncatchers in a place you can leave them to freeze.

    For extra fun, add a few drops of food coloring to make a rainbow of beautiful colors in your frozen suncatchers! And if you want to hang these gorgeous creations from tree branches or on a window sill, make sure you add a small piece of string or ribbon half out of the ice in a loop so that it will freeze in place giving you a built-in hanger for your suncatcher.

    Pro tip: I’ve heard that if you boil the water before you use it in your suncatcher, the ice will be clear and less cloudy! I haven’t tried this, but that would really make these suncatchers extra beautiful!

    making frozen ice suncatchers with kidsstep by step tutorial for making frozen ice suncatchers with kids

    Let them freeze

    Now comes the hard part for kids…being patient while they freeze! If you live in a place where it’s cold enough for the water to freeze outside, then leave your suncatchers outside in a safe place (where they won’t be disturbed) a few hours or overnight to freeze. If it’s not cold enough in your area, you can place them flat in your freezer until frozen. Just be extra careful when moving them not to shake or disturb the designs.

    winter outdoor nature crafts for kidswinter outdoor activities for kids - frozen suncatchers

    Learn while you wait

    While you’re waiting for your suncatchers to freeze, take the opportunity to educate! Talk to your child(ren) about the temperature at which water freezes and what happens to the water as it solidifies. Discuss the temperature outside and take a guess as to how long it will take for the water to freeze. Check on the status of your suncatchers and note the changes taking place. Note the temperature outside and compare it to the temperature in your fridge or freezer.

    outdoor winter crafts for kidsoutdoor winter activities for kidshow to make ice sun catchers with kids

    Hang and enjoy! 

    After the water turns to ice, gently remove the ice suncatcher from the mold and examine your frozen suncatcher creation. Hang your sun catchers from a tree branch or window sill. Let your kids use them to decorate a tree or bush in the backyard. The sun shining through the ice will create such a beautiful outdoor sight you’re going to want to do these year-round!

    nature-inspired winter crafts for kidsoutdoor winter crafts and activities for kidsoutdoor frozen winter craft ideas for kids - ice suncatchers

    Have you ever made frozen suncatchers?

     

    If you’re looking for more outdoor winter activities and ideas for kids, make sure to check out our post with 100+ Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids.

  • INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WINTER

    Winter Fort Building with Kids

    Colder temperatures do not mean the fun of fort building has to stop! For many in the warmer climates, it’s actually the best time of year to head to the woods to build some forts!  Winter fort-building is so much fun, with definite perks. In the winter, the risk for snake encounters goes down and the ticks (and mosquitoes) die off, leaving the woods much more pleasurable! There are so many different ways to build a fort with your kids. Today, we have homeschooling mom of two and outdoor adventurer Nichole of Luckey Wanderers here, walking us through how to build an eco-friendly winter fort with kids!

    winter fun outdoor fun fort building

    This post contains affiliate links.

    Why build forts in the winter?

    While we love adventuring outdoors year-round, winter fort building is our favorite. The winter provides a certain sense of freedom and ease to our time spent in the woods. The forest always presents certain inherent dangers, but for our very warm locale, the winter offers a bit of a break from constant awareness of snakes, ticks, wasps, mosquitoes and fire ants. (However, we do still check for ticks every time we return from the woods as a precaution.) The winter also gives us a chance to venture (respectfully) off-trail and explore the woods a little deeper without the oppressive heat and humidity.

    winter fort building outdoor fun kids outside

    Choosing the perfect fort-building location

    When we head out for the day, we usually have some sort of idea of the type/style of fort we would like to build. Our plan for this winter fort was to make a tepee structure to enjoy a picnic under. That plan quickly changed when my kids spotted a fallen tree that seemed to be calling to them. Much to their delight, it was also surrounded on three sides by a creek and had the feeling of a moat. It was the perfect location!

    What to look for in a location

    There are always a few things we look for, no matter what type of fort we are building:

    • Three or four long sticks  to be made into the tri-pod structure
    • Fallen bark  to use for a roof or sides
    • A clear, flat spot to build on
    • A fallen tree to make a lean-to
    • Ways to be minimally destructive when gathering supplies (take one stick/bark/etc, instead of all of it)
    • Check to make sure the area you are building is not already inhabited by any animals, such as beaver or rabbits

    Step back and  watch them step up

    The process of winter fort-building is a fantastic application of scientific method and hands-on exploration. While I love building right alongside my kids, sometimes it’s an opportunity to step back and let them run with their ideas. Sometimes it works out wonderfully, and sometimes I’m wiping away tears and playing master architect. I highly recommend that you let them experiment on their own. Let them build a tripod or lean-to, only to watch it tumble under the weight of the leaves they piled on top. This teaches them. Allow them opportunities to learn from mistakes and try again. Then, celebrate their victories with them! Share a picnic together in their fort, even if you can only fit your foot inside. They’ll always remember it, I promise.

     

    A note about safety

     

    It’s important to note that even when the cooler temperatures arrive, you should still always be aware of potential dangers outside. There are a few things that we do to help keep ourselves safe when scavenging for materials to build our forts. The rule that I enforce fast and hard is to ALWAYS roll logs slowly TOWARD you. Yes, that’s right. Roll it toward you. Here’s why: if there is a snake hiding underneath, by rolling it toward you, the log is a barrier and gives the snake an escape route that doesn’t end directly on your feet. We learned that tip from a park interpreter at one of the amazing state parks in Arkansas. We also use a stick to lift fallen bark, scatter leaves, and poke around the underbrush. Essentially, we touch anything first with a stick, then with our hands, just to be on the safe(r) side.

    winter fort building with kids

    Fort-building supplies

    Fort building is a simple activity that does not require much. However, there are a few things that we always bring along to make it more fun. I recently discovered a fort-building kit with rubber/silicone hooks that hold sticks together. While those are a great idea, we prefer to use an eco-friendly natural option so we’re not worried about leaving plastic behind. All-natural raffia grass is a great option for fort building. It is the most natural thing I have found to use to secure sticks and logs. Twine works well also, but the more natural, the better.

    My kids love using the long pieces of raffia to hang decorations from their fort, or to secure the sticks together. I also love to surprise them with twinkle lights to string up once their fort is done. A durable, outdoor blanket or an old bed sheet or two are also helpful to bring along. These can serve as a roof, walls/dividers or a comfy floor to sit on inside the fort.

    fairy lights winter fort building outdoor fun

    Don’t forget the snacks

    Whether it’s lunchtime or not, when adventuring outdoors with kids, always bring snacks! There’s nothing better than a snack in the fort you built with your kids. If I’ve planned far enough ahead, I’ll pack a lunch with a fun surprise treat. If not, I throw whatever I have in my cupboard into my Stasher bags and off we go. I love those bags because they can go directly in the dishwasher when we get home. Peanut butter sandwiches for them and a salad for me are always an easy lunch to pack. Plus, while we are hiking in my salad gets nicely mixed. Always remember to pack out what you pack in and remove any trash or food remnants when you leave.

    snacks for outdoor activities

     

    The fruits of their labor

    When you plan your fort-building day, be sure to allow enough time for your kids to stick around and enjoy their fort after they build it. I have made the mistake of making the kids leave shortly after they declared their fort complete. Talk about anticlimactic. So let yourselves linger. Give them time to enjoy it. Let them play. Lie down in your fort and take some time to talk about what they learned and what you can observe from within:

    • What do you notice when you look at your fort from different angles?
    • What types of animals would like your fort?
    • Do you think it would survive a storm?
    • What could you do to make it even better?

    Get out your nature journals and draw your fort. You could even start an art journal just for the forts you build with your children. The possibilities to expand this into a lesson are endless, including studies in physics and mathematics. Or, just have fun with it and enjoy the journey. Either way, fort building throughout the seasons is always a wonderful way to spend time outside.

    Tips for winter fort-building in colder climates

     

    If you live where snow and ice are prevalent in the winter months, there are still plenty of options for winter fort-building! You can still take the kids out into the woods to gather sticks and logs. Instead of packing leaves and bark over your fort to fortify it, let your kids experiment with packing snow. Help them dig tunnels in the snow to create an entrance or a moat around the fort. Or, if you’re building a fort around home, use sand toys and buckets as molds to make ice and snow bricks for building an igloo. The options are really endless when you let your (and your kids’) imagination and creativity run wild.

    tips for building a fort with kids in the woods

    About the author

    Nichole is mama to two incredible adventurers. They are on their third year of homeschooling. She has been married to her best friend for nearly twelve years and they share a mutual love for the outdoors. An Iowan native now living in the south, she is happy to claim Arkansas as home. She is a wanderlust (and coffee) fueled, fearless, road-tripper who has been known to take off for epic adventures at a moment’s notice. Hiking and camping (of the backpacking variety) and crystal digging are a few of their favorite family activities. You can find her in the woods somewhere, (probably up a creek and jumping off waterfalls) or online in the following locations:

    Website: http://www.luckeywanderers.com
    Instagram: @coleyraeh
    RWMC posts: Nichole

    More from Nichole

    As a family, we love gardening. It’s a wonderful way to ensure time spent outside every day throughout the growing season. This past year, we embarked on an adventure to grow our own luffa sponges. Did you know you could do that? It took us all year, but now we have the most wonderful gifts that came from our very own backyard. Here’s all the details about our luffa gardening adventure. We also grew some giant sunflowers that turned into a really fun hands-on learning experience at the end of the season. You can read about our sunflower dissection.

    Have you tried winter fort-building? What was your experience?
    Any tips for building ice or snow forts? We’d love to hear them!