Winter, which seems like this year has been very benevolent, is still a time of year when, due to the cold and shorter duration of the day, it poses some special challenges for carry out activities with children in the winter months, but, at the same time, it offers us possibilities that are worth taking advantage of.
First, since going out to enjoy open spaces and playing is essential for the physical development and health of children, let's talk about activities we can do outdoors.
Go to the snow
It is a winter classic: Go to the snow. Warmly dressed, with appropriate footwear and clothes that do not heat, snow is an element that children and adults can enjoy very much. When in our city it is not usual that snow can always schedule an exit to the nearest mountain and spend the day.
In the snow we are going to play throwing balls, making the angel, walking, wallowing, sledding down a gentle slope and, of course, making a doll with a carrot nose. Do not forget to bring a shovel, a thermos with hot drink and a change of clothes for the return. It will be a wonderful experience.
Go to the forest
The forest in winter it is wonderful. Good warm and with appropriate footwear and always with spare clothes the experience of going for a walk in the forest is especially recommended. If there is a creek nearby we can observe how its appearance changes, also observe ice crystals, icicles and almost phosphorescent lichens in bare trees, how different the "grass" is.
In addition, we can observe the birds that perch in the trees and go distinguishing those of deciduous and evergreen. If the area is not of special protection we can collect some samples of plants, or simply, leaves and pebbles. Children will run free, jump, try to climb the wet logs and can invent many adventures.
Play with the rain
The windy and more pleasant days do not feel like going out, but there are times when you go down to the street, with good boots and a raincoat for run in the rain and splash in the puddles No worries is another experience that children will enjoy very much in winter.
Winter beach
Those who live near the sea should not miss the beach in winter. On warm days you can enjoy a lot of long walks, bird watching, play with the waves on bare feet, build castles and make cabins with the woods that the current has deposited in the sand.
The end of winter in the parks
Tomorrow we are going to do an activity that surely children will enjoy a lot, we will go to a park of the most beautiful in Madrid, Quinta los Molinos, in which the almond trees have already flowered and, as it will be a very good day, children will enjoy the sun and outdoor games in a nearby, urban environment, But full of natural beauty.
In addition to the outdoor activities in winter we can take advantage of the long afternoons at home to schedule many things that later, when it is good, we will leave more forgotten. Winter home activities They are also very enriching and fun, in addition to strengthening the bond with our children.
Kitchen
I never tire of recommending to parents that introduce children to the kitchen. From a very young age they will be able to help you carry out simple tasks and will collaborate with pleasure by kneading, decorating a homemade pizza, arranging the vegetables in a salad, creating drawings with fruits on a plate or simply being with us, always making the environment safe, while We prepare food.
Prepare a special meal or a snack with a delicious hot chololate and a homemade cake and even take them in the middle of the room, with a tablecloth on the floor, as if it were a picnic, they will love it for sure, it will break the routine and the usual rules so that, with that alone, we can have a party.
Home games
The same home can be a place of fun games where to search for the treasure, hide, prepare a cave in the chairs with a blanket in the middle of the room. Do not get dirty or mess too much, the only thing necessary is that we adults also participate in the games.
It is time, also, to read stories, to collect books of stickers, modeling clay, salt dough, paintings and enjoy them with our children. We can also make origami, cut-outs, a beautiful poster by pasting family photos on cardboard or discovering distant places and times in books or on the computer. And, of course, disguise ourselves with old clothes and paint our faces with non-toxic paint. The little ones can also play sensory boxes, paint food with suitable dyes and even make masks or castles with paper pulp.
Activities with children in winter
Many times, locked up at home, parents and children are overwhelmed. And winter is the worst of times if we are prone to that. That is why we must try to plan activities well with children in winter, combining play in open spaces, Nature, cultural visits and time at home, but always taking into account the needs of children: rest, free play and parental attention
Let's not organize too many outings that imply that children have to be quiet, quiet and where we will be more aware of other adults. Children need us to be present, sometimes participating in their adventures, guiding them, and other times, simply being prepared so that they can claim us when they need us.
Actually, there are so many things we can do, to plan activities with children in winter It only has a limitation, our imagination and our desire to enjoy as a family. Winter, with this provision, will be short.
