Many people stay inside more during winter because of the cold weather, but the cold weather shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the outdoors. 

Activities to do in the winter

Winter has many exciting things you can do outside, that you can’t do in the summer.  Things like downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing, sledding, snow tubing, and snowmobiling.  Just playing in the snow and building things is fun for kids and even adults.  Going on a nature hike in the winter, after a fresh snowfall, allows you to see animal tracks more easily.  Using your senses in all types of weather provides different experiences.  Another thing I like to do in the winter is sit around a bonfire.  This can be mentally as well as physically relaxing.  Winter has so many things you can do outside, and many of these activities need snow or involve temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended time to have thick enough ice.  If you don’t live where there is snow, I recommend going on vacation during the winter where there is some. Everyone should experience snow at some point in their lives.   

Dressing for the cold weather

The key to getting outside in all weather is dressing correctly, so you are comfortable.  People will avoid being outside if they are cold or wet because they will be miserable.  This is an easy thing to fix if you just wear the proper clothing.  

I’ve learned I can be comfortable outside with temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit.  The key is to dress in layers and make sure all your exposed skin is covered.  There are expensive brands and those that are not.  Use whatever brand that you prefer.  You do get what you pay for in quality.  If you buy something really cheap, it might not last as long.  You also might have to wear more layers than if you bought a more expensive brand.  

Base Layer

The first thing you need is a good base layer. This layer should be a tighter fit like leggings for pants and a long sleeve shirt.  Moisture-wicking material is a good choice to keep the sweat off you.  Your sweat will start making you feel cold.  Avoid cotton material for cold or wet days because it traps water or sweat next to your skin making you cold.  Use clothing made with synthetic material, fleece, or wool for the best results.  Some people find that wool materials can be itchy right next to the skin.

         

Middle Layers

The next layer or two depends on the temperature and your needs or activity level.  These layers could be a sweatshirt, vest, or puffy coat. They don’t need to be tight-fitting because the air between layers acts as an insulator to help keep you warm.  Most of the time, I don’t even have a middle layer on if I’ll be doing physical activity.  You will need more layers if you are going to be sitting still outside instead of moving. This is the layer that you can adjust by removing or adding layers to maintain your comfort level.

                             

Outer Layer

The final layer should be waterproof and durable, so it keeps you dry and doesn’t rip easily.  A winter jacket and snow pants.  If possible, find snow pants and jackets with zipper vents.  This makes it easier to adjust how hot or cold you are without removing this important outer layer.  Some jackets have wrist gaiters attached to the coat sleeve and go over your hand.  These are a nice feature for keeping snow from going up your sleeve. 

Another thing to consider is whether you want a hood on your coat.  A hood can be a good feature to keep the wind off your neck and keep the rain off your head if it gets warm enough that snow changes to rain.  If you do want a hood, make sure it has a way to stay up with snaps or ties. If it doesn’t stay up the hood is useless.  

                           

Hands

Mittens or gloves that is the dilemma.  Parents tend to be unsure about this with their kids.  Many times, kids talk their parents into one or the other.  Kids should almost always have mittens.  The following are a few main reasons why mittens are the correct choice for kids.

• Mittens go on hands more easily than gloves, especially if the hands are small.  If you have ever tried to help a small child, put gloves on with each finger making it in the correct hole, then you will understand the problem.
• Mittens also come off easier.  Have you ever dealt with a glove that the inside came out with your hand?  Then you had to try putting the inside of the glove back inside.  Each little finger part has to get pushed way up in a small hole that your adult finger doesn’t fit into.  If this happens with a mitten, it’s much easier to get just a thumb and the area with the rest of their fingers back inside.
• Gloves are typically not as warm as mittens. If kids have a sensory problem with things being between their fingers, a mitten would be the better choice. 
• Mittens are also perfect for holding hand warmers inside of them.  If you have poor circulation in your hands, then hand warmers are a nice option for you.

                          

If you are a parent buying those thin cotton gloves for your child to wear at recess, please don’t.  These are only good for time periods with no snow and it’s just starting to get cool outside.  They do not keep their hands dry playing in the snow or warm if outside for long periods of time.  For kids, it’s a good idea to have an extra pair of mittens because they can get wet playing in the snow.

Feet

                                                 

 

There are two layers for your feet.  The first are socks that are moisture-wicking if possible.  Long socks are better because they don’t slide down and off your foot as easily.  Wool or synthetic material for your socks is the warmest.  Some people wear two pairs of socks, but if they are too tight, they make your feet cold.  Allowing layers of air between the socks and boots can provide more insulation.

Waterproof and insulated boots are a great choice.  When picking out your boots, allow for a little bit of room in them because that will help with keeping your feet warmer.  You should be able to wiggle your toes in the boots.  Things that are too tight don’t allow for good circulation causing your body to become colder easier.  If you have poor circulation, then use toe warmers to help.  Feet and hands tend to get cold first, and once they are freezing it’s hard to warm them back up.  The boots should be taller if you plan on walking or playing in the snow.  When dressing, put your snow pants over the top of your boots to keep the snow out.

Hand and Toe Warmers

                                         

On really cold days or when you want to spend a longer time outside then using hand and toe warmers is a good option.  There are options that are one-time disposable hand and toe warmers and there are a variety of reusable options.  The hard part about reusable warmers is that you need to remember to recharge them after you use them.  Some you need to boil in water for 10 to 15 minutes to reset them.  Some are bulky and hard to fit into small mittens or don’t work for your feet.  A reusable option for your feet is electric socks that you can adjust the temperature.  They also have heated gloves and mittens.  I just know as a parent and elementary teacher; things go missing easily for kids.  Buying something expensive to reuse might be a waste of money if your child loses things.

Head and Face

The last area to cover are your face and head. Using a balaclava to cover your neck and face makes a big difference.  Ski goggles help keep the cold air off the skin around your eyes. This is done by creating a seal with what you have covering your head, face, and neck so the cold air doesn’t touch any part of your face.  Other things work for the neck and face such as a neck gaiter.  I like to use this option with my ski helmet and ski goggles.  My face never gets cold unless I uncover it.  A warm winter hat is important unless you have an insulated helmet you’re wearing.  As long as something is helping keep the heat from escaping through the head you should be good.

Printables and Links

I found a couple websites that discuss clothing for the weather and provide visuals that could help kids understand how they should dress.

How to dress for the weather visual   This visual will is in Celsius temperatures.  You could print it and put Fahrenheit temperatures next to the Celsius.  20 degrees Celsius = 68 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees Celsius = 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 0 degrees Celsius = 32 degrees Fahrenheit, -10 degrees Celsius = 14 degrees Fahrenheit, -20 degrees Celsius = -4 degrees Fahrenheit

Dressing kids for winter visual   This visual is also in Celsius temperatures.

Both of these visuals came from a site called Active for Life.  This site has more information about dressing for the weather.  It also has a lot of good information on getting kids moving inside or outside with activities and games.  This site also has information about babies and toddlers.

Girl Scouts of Maine has a great visual to help kids work on what you wear in all types of weather and temperatures.  The temperatures are in Fahrenheit and there are cut outs of a person and different clothes.  This could be a good print out to do on cardstock, laminate it, and then put Velcro on the back of each piece of clothing.  The other side of Velcro could be on the person.  Then you could have students dress the person for the weather it is outside.  That way they see how they need to dress.   This would be good for kids with special needs or young children.

These visuals will be the bad guy when you tell kids they have to wear a coat because it’s too cold, and they don’t want to.  You just have the kids look at the charts to see what needs to be worn for the temperature outside.