{"id":38196,"date":"2024-02-07T07:01:56","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T15:01:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/?p=38196"},"modified":"2025-12-11T13:49:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T21:49:38","slug":"fun-winter-activities-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/news\/fun-winter-activities-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Dash Winter Doldrums With These Child-Friendly Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"article\">\n\t<header class=\"header\">\n\t\t<span class=\"type\"><\/span>\t\t<h1>Dash Winter Doldrums With These Child-Friendly Activities<\/h1>\t\t<time>February 7, 2024<\/time>\n\t<\/header>\n\t<div id=\"block_e100fbd6f33591834b2f67206eb7de2b\" class=\"shs-block block-news-article entry-content\">\n\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<p>Cold weather and rain do not need to prompt inactivity in your children or grandchildren. This winter, get them out of the house and moving with some child-friendly activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with a positive attitude and the right clothing, said\u00a0Trevor Peterson, PA-C,\u00a0of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/find-a-location\/samaritan-family-medicine-main-st\/\">Samaritan Family Medicine &#8211; Main St<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you have a good attitude about being outside in rainy or snowy weather, children will also. And if everyone\u2019s wearing the right clothes for the conditions, it can be fun to splash through puddles, squish through mud or catch snowflakes on your tongue,\u201d said Peterson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-activities-to-get-outside\">Activities to Get Outside<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-take-a-hike-or-walk\">Take a Hike (or Walk)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast are full of beautiful trails close to home, with mountain trails not that far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trails can range in level of difficulty, so refer to your local Parks and Recreation website, the National Park Service website, or a mobile app like AllTrails to help you determine the best location for the children in your group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to clothing, it may help to remember the old saying, \u201cThere is no bad weather, only bad clothes.\u201d Be sure to dress for the conditions in layers of clothing that can be added to or removed as needed, with warm outer layers, hat and gloves. Don\u2019t forget waterproof jacket, boots and hat, and possibly snow pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cRemember to bring plenty of snacks and water for each person in your group. Hiking can really build up a thirst and appetite,\u201d said Peterson. \u201cIt\u2019s a good idea to have a hearty meal before you head out as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pack-a-winter-picnic\">Pack a Winter Picnic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sure, a summer picnic is a must-do. But a winter picnic? The idea could be just quirky enough to be a fun surprise for the kids. This can be done anywhere \u2013 haul it with you on the trail, grab a picnic table at your local park or create a spread in your backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you can fill your picnic basket with the usual summer fare, it might make it more special to bring winter belly-warmers like thermoses filled with hot chocolate, soup or warm mac and cheese. If you\u2019re in a place where you can have a fire, roast hot dogs and marshmallows on sharpened sticks. If bringing sandwiches or other finger foods, don\u2019t forget fingerless gloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to pack a waterproof blanket or tarp for sitting on, as well as an extra blanket or two for wrapping up in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-go-on-a-nature-scavenger-hunt\">Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A scavenger hunt is a good way to help children notice details of the natural world and experience the differences between seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by creating an age-appropriate list of things they can look for on their walk around the park or neighborhood. It can be anything \u2013 a bird\u2019s nest, a thorny branch, a park bench, a spider web, something brown or green, even paw prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEach find in a scavenger hunt could be an opportunity for you to talk with the kids about winter habitats of wildlife and how they differ from other seasons. It\u2019s a good way to feed a child\u2019s curiosity and sense of wonder,\u201d Peterson noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Google search of \u201cNature Scavenger Hunt\u201d will turn up free, printable sheets and other ideas you can use for this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-outdoor-play-isn-t-an-option\">When Outdoor Play Isn\u2019t an Option<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome winter weather conditions aren\u2019t appropriate for all children, especially on bitter cold days. It\u2019s good to have a few inside options in your back pocket to keep the kids active,\u201d said Peterson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-go-for-a-swim\">Go for a Swim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many communities have indoor public pools with hours open to the general public, especially on weekends and school holidays. These are usually staffed by trained lifeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBe sure and talk with your child about pool safety before entering the pool,\u201d said Peterson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMake sure your inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets at all times and join them in the pool so you can watch them closely and help them feel comfortable in the water,\u201d Peterson said. \u201cRemind older children especially to always jump into the pool feet first, don\u2019t play breath-holding games, don\u2019t run on the deck, stay away from pool drains, and stay close to other swimmers and not go off on your own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jump-or-bounce\">Jump or Bounce<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Indoor parks with trampolines or inflatable bounce toys can be a good way for kids to burn off extra energy from being cooped up inside on dreary days. Choose a place with a good reputation for safety and staff on-hand to supervise proper use of equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere can be a risk for serious injury like broken bones or concussion, especially with trampolines, so make sure you watch children closely and ensure they are jumping appropriately \u2013 not too high, one person at a time and no flips,\u201d Peterson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inflatable toys are usually a bit squishier often with soft sides, which can make them a bit safer and more protective of younger children than trampolines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-create-in-home-opportunities\">Create In-Home Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If staying home is the best option, you may need to get more creative with your ideas to get the kids moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider setting up an inside obstacle course with stools to step up and over, pillows to hop over, a 2&#215;4\u201d board to walk on requiring balance, chairs to crawl under or over, and more. Or, if you or the kids have favorite music, turn it on and have a dance party. Building a fort using blankets or sheets draped across chairs and tables is always fun. Hide and Seek is also a kid-pleaser, especially if the adults play along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cChildren need to have physical activity each day. Moving their bodies not only improves the fitness of the cardiorespiratory system, but also builds bones and muscles, helps the brain develop, stabilizes weight, and can help shift anxiety or depression and improve mood,\u201d said Peterson. \u201cWhether you\u2019re a parent or grandparent, helping kids find a regular healthy physical outlet for their energy is a good way to model healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<aside>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/smiling-kids-on-roadtrip-CO.jpg\" class=\"attachment-cta size-cta wp-post-image\" alt=\"Two young sisters looking out the back window of their car smiling and dressed for cold weather.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/smiling-kids-on-roadtrip-CO.jpg 360w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/smiling-kids-on-roadtrip-CO-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/smiling-kids-on-roadtrip-CO-120x100.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t<\/aside>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"block_8b906b1c5d6da41451b8248edec1ce79\" class=\"shs-block block-section grid-container has-gray-warm-background-color\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local Family-Friendly Hikes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Benton County:<\/strong>&nbsp;McDonald Forest, just west of Corvallis, or Fitton Green and Bald Hill Natural Areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lincoln County:<\/strong>&nbsp;Drift Creek Falls Trail, between Salem and Lincoln City or the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse trails in Newport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Linn County:<\/strong>&nbsp;McDowell Creek Falls, between Lebanon and Sweet Home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rain and chilly weather can make getting physical activity a challenge. Find creative ideas for indoor and outdoor fun to keep you family active.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":35931,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_shs_workflow_notes":"","_shs_exclude_from_navigation":false,"_shs_promote_article_on_blogs":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"news-topics":[277,293],"news-types":[270],"services":[238,255],"specialty":[9,19],"class_list":["post-38196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","news-topics-childrens-health","news-topics-wellness","news-types-feature-article","services-family-medicine","services-pediatrics","specialty-family-medicine","specialty-pediatrics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38196"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38196\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38196"},{"taxonomy":"news-topics","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-topics?post=38196"},{"taxonomy":"news-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-types?post=38196"},{"taxonomy":"services","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/services?post=38196"},{"taxonomy":"specialty","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samhealth.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/specialty?post=38196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}