Winter Activities

Layering tips: There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
Cotton retains moisture, doesn’t breathe and doesn’t dry fast

1st layer (base layer) = Lies next to the skin, should consist of a wool or synthetic undershirt or long-sleeved thermal top that wicks moisture away from skin

2nd layer = Insulation (wool, fleece) wool can be a bit more heavy but it stays warm even when wet

3rd layer = Shell (protect from moisture and wind). If coat or pants are not insulated, you may need to add more layers under.

Wool (or wool blend) socks are recommended. Cotton retains moisture and results in cold feet.
You lose a lot of heat through your head and neck. Wear a neck gator or scarf and a warm hat.
Water proof gloves or mittens are ideal when playing outside. Fleece gloves are neither water proof or wind resistant.

Snowflake Catcher

Snowflake catcher – Popsicle stick with 2x2 inch black foam square glued to end of stick
Snow creatures – expand from the traditional “snowman” and get creative this winter. Snow moose? Snow porcupine? Snow monster? This can be fun and creative!
Build an igloo or snow den
Ice sculptures – carefully place icicles in the ground and try to stack or connect.
Tracking – look for tracks and follow them on all 4’s like you’re that animal. See where the tracks lead you! Who lives in there?
Shovel a path in your yard to make a maze – play tag within the maze!
Cross country skiing with kids
Start an outdoor play group
Use sand buckets for snow in the winter months to build castles
Glass bottle bobsledding – make a bob sled track out of snow and race glass bottles

Frozen Water Balloons

Materials:
Water
Freezing temperatures
Balloons
Candle

If you want color you can add food colouring into the balloon before filling. The next step is industry standard water balloon filling. Wrap the balloon around the faucets and fill with water. Careful so you don’t break the balloons. Set them outside for freezing. The time to freeze depends on how cold it is where you live. Unwrap the balloons when they were only half frozen, make a hole and pour out the water that was inside. Voila, you have an ice sculpture; put a tea candle inside.

Ice Figures

Materials:
Cookie cutters your shape of choice
Baking sheet
Drill or needle
Yarn or string

Put all your cookie cutters on a tray and fill with water. Set them outside for freezing (how long depends on how cold it is). When frozen solid break the excess ice and remove the frozen cookie cutters. Use a little hot water around the edges of the cookie cutters to release the ice cookies from the shape.

Use a heated needle, or better yet use a drill with a fine bit to make a hole to thread a piece of twine through so you can hang it on a tree or anywhere outside for Christmas ice ornaments.

Ice Ornaments
www.yourwildchild.com

Use Plastic containers (humus holders, sour cream saucers and the like) and filled them with water (about half way). Next add a little food coloring.

Grab some items from nature (pine cones, leaves, rocks…) and drop them in the cups. Submerge the end of a long piece of twine in each container and place outside to freeze.

Ice Castles
Making an ice castle is a great project for older kids; they can start by sketching and designing how it should look while smaller kids are moms’ best helper.

Materials:
Empty milk and juice containers
Water
Bucket
Wooden spoon
Waterproof mittens

Fill containers with water (you can add food colouring if you want) and set them outside for a day or two.
When the water is frozen, take them out of the containers. Use scissors to get them out of the box.
Fill a bucket with water and put snow in and stir. This is your glue for the castle blocks.
Head outside and find a spot for your ice castle.
Start making the foundation using the water and snow mix between the bricks. How fast it will freeze depends on how cold it is. Have the kids decide where to put the windows and doors.
You can use icicles to make castle towers on the top. You can add food colouring to the water to make your ice castle a color. A great way to create beautiful lights in the winter darkness is to place candles in your ice castle.