Saskatchewan Winter Games: Activities for Little ones to do Outside
All Saskatchewan parents know the feeling, the leaves start to turn, the wind gets chilly, and the kids have to start bundling up. One of the best parts of childhood is playing outside, but with snow everywhere, what are the kids to do? We have put together some ideas for kids to play outside even in the coldest weather. These ideas do not take a lot of preparing and can be done without much investment and preplanning. The play ideas not only stimulate creativity but also allow kids to explore their environments in a healthy way.
The Best Saskatchewan Winter Games for Kids
- Snow Shoveling
Toddlers love to help out and to imitate us. Kids sized snow shovels can be found on Amazon, at Canadian Tire, and Walmart. This allows kids to feel like they are helping and strengthens hand eye coordination. This also keeps the little ones close, so no bumps or bruises will be acquired!
Read More: For Small Hands Toys
- Go Sledding!
Sledding is a great activity for the whole family. Not only is it a workout and will help tire the kids out, it’s also so much fun. Don’t have any huge hills around your house? No problem! The littles should be on smaller hills as it is.
- Snow Painting
Freshly fallen snow makes the best canvas, all fluffy and white. This idea takes a little bit more prep, but only requires a watering can, spray bottle, or a pop bottle with a hole poked in the lid, and some coloured water. The slower the water empties from the container, the longer the activity will last! Just add a drop or two of food colouring to the water, and let the kids go wild!
- Obstacle Courses
Snow makes building obstacle courses so much fun. Gather random items like a plank of wood or a hula hoop, some ski pants and waterproof mittens. Using your items of choice, create a path for the kids to run, jump, crawl, and push through! Utilize the snow to create hills, walls, and mounds to jump from. Time the kids, set up races, or see who can do the whole course without touching any of the items. This can entertain the little ones for hours!
Read More: 25 Obstcale Courses for Kids
- Track Hunts and Winter Wildlife Spies
This one is great for kids with a particularly wild imagination. If you live in an area with lots of footprints or wildlife tracks, bundle the kids up and follow them! It’s a great way to craft creative stories about who’s footprints they are. “This footprint walked into the post office; they must be a spy who gets their jobs through the mail!”. Following wildlife tracks is an amazing way to teach kids about the wild world around them, just be mindful not to touch the animals or the homes (if you find them).
Read More: Modern Day Wildlife Tracking
Winter Play in Saskatchewan Doesn’t Have to Be Boring!
Just because Saskatchewan winter is cold, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Ensuring the kids are wrapped up tightly and take breaks inside as often as needed! Getting home after a fun winter’s activity and having a warm mug of hot chocolate is a perfect way to wind down.
Lastly, outdoor play helps to stimulate a few different types of relationships. Being out in nature helps to create a love and appreciation for the environment, which will carry into their adult lives. Outdoor play also improves peer relationships. Outdoor play often requires imagination and teamwork, which helps kids to craft positive interactions with each other. There is also the added advantage of improved problem solving. When playing outside, the nearest adult might be too far to ask for help solving a small problem. Kids must solve it together, which opens up the doors for collaboration elsewhere.
Things to Remember About Winter Playgrounds in Saskatchewan
When playing at the park in the wintertime, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure that everyone is having the most fun possible. Of course, you need to dress the kids up as warmly as possible. Boots, scarves, mitts, snow suits, and face coverings are all useful in keeping the kids warm. Remember to bring water bottles, snacks, and extra mitts for when the current ones get wet. Lastly, if the kids are cold, take them home. There’s no reason to keep them outside if they are complaining, as then it’s no longer fun!
Read More: Keeping Kids Hydrated Outside
