It’s cold outside. It’s been raining a lot. But we still do outdoor play during the cold weather.
When it’s cold outside, it can be very tempting to hibernate. But playing outside in winter presents opportunities to have fun, to explore, and to discover new facets of nature and our environment. There are good reasons to head outdoors this time of year.
Spending time in the fresh, chilly air can reduce the risks of catching a cold. For one thing, you’re not all cooped up in a cramped, low-ventilation area exposed to other’s germs. For another, the cold weather may actually kill certain types of bacteria that can’t survive in cold weather.
Children come to see different characteristics in their environment, such as brown grass and ice. The cold months provide children with new experiences and opportunities, such as learning about the seasons, and the life cycles of plants. Through outdoor play in the winter, children see their environment through a different lens.
Playing outdoors in winter promotes physical development and well-being. This is because outdoor play involves the whole body when children run, jump, and exercise key muscle groups. Through activities such as climbing, jumping and running, children continue to support their gross motor development and overall health. And there is no room for a winter blues.
