
Keeping Kids Active All Winter Long
In mid-winter, when days at the beach and camping trips are only distant memories, it’s harder to get kids outdoors and staying active indoors. The beautiful snow-covered Maine landscape may not stir their souls the way it does yours.
But keeping them active indoors and out, is even more important because social activities, and exercise play a significant role in kids’ health. Exercising their muscles, absorbing Vitamin D, and counteracting the effects of blue light from electronic devices are only a few of the health rewards of staying active all year long. Plus of course, experiencing various activities together is fun for the whole family, even if the kids may need a little encouragement from you.
For indoor recreation during these cold winter months, take advantage of the year-round swim lessons at Goldfish Swim School in Portland to keep your kids water-ready for all of the fun things planned throughout your year. With lessons available for ages four months to 12 years, Goldfish follows a perpetual swim lesson model, meaning swim lessons happen every week, every month, year-round.
Jumping into lessons every week keeps skills sharp so kiddos have them when they need them – for Winter Break getaways, summer pool parties, and the unthinkable water accidents that could occur at any time. With the skills to float, knowing their swim strokes, and finding the closest wall, swimmers are more prepared for whatever is thrown their way, whenever it comes.
With consistent visits to Goldfish Swim School, positive reinforcement from their swim instructors, and praise and celebrations with high fives and ribbons, kiddos develop all the skills they need to be safer in and around the water. Plus, building confidence, communicating well, and having fun, swim lessons just make good sense! You can swim by to learn more at Goldfish Swim School in Portland or visit: goldfishswimschool.com/portland
For outside recreation, here are some ways to get your kids to play in the snow—in your backyard or nearby woods and parks.
When the snow is a little sticky instead of dry and fluffy, channel their inner sculptor or engineer by using snow as a building material. Building a snow fort engages construction strategies (a wall will only go so high without extra support), and a snow figure can become a work of art with some imaginative decorating. If the snow is wet, be sure to have plenty of dry mittens waiting inside.
Be creative yourself in thinking of other ways to use the snow. Get a simple plastic-coated animal track guide so kids can identify small visitors to their yard. While it’s snowing, give kids pieces of black or dark-colored felt to catch snowflakes. Look at them through a magnifier to see if any two are alike.
Younger kids can make snow angels in fresh snow; the older ones will probably join the fun. If your kids are lucky enough to have a nearby hill, sleds and saucers are a natural choice on fresh snow. And did you know you can make ice cream using snow and rock salt as the cooler? Get the recipe at thecookstreat.com/snow-ice-cream.
Nearby attractions are a natural fit for getting kids outdoors. Most downhill ski areas have tubing hills along with skiing. Ice skating rinks and cross-country ski areas usually have rental equipment; Nordic areas often have snowshoes and can give beginners lessons or tips. Watch for WinterKids events and family discounts, and don’t forget to download the free WinterKids App to preview all the deals—then unlock them with an annual family membership for a winter full of outdoor fun!
Nature centers, reserves, and public parks have trails that your family can use for snowshoeing and cross-country or for winter hiking when the snow isn’t too deep. Traveling through the winter woods is a good time to look for animal tracks and maybe spot some that are different from those in your yard. How many different varieties of pine and evergreen trees can your kids spot by the needles?
The winter world is full of possibilities for treasure hunts and snow play. Warning: once you start getting your kids outdoors in the winter, you may have trouble getting them to come inside!
Story by Bobbie Randolph. Bobbie is a New England native and lifelong skier, but she finds plenty of ways to enjoy winter off the slopes, too. She writes about outdoor sports and activities throughout the region and in all seasons, but winter is her favorite.
Photos courtesy of Winter Kids.