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There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.
When I say this to my 3- and 4- and 5-year-old students at Fern Hill School in Milton where I teach preschool all year long, they respond with a groan and a begrudging trot towards their mittens (or boots or snow pants or whatever they need to be safe and warm).
Once dressed, they joyfully return to bowling pumpkins into CVC words, going on a mushroom hunt or creating a human-sized spider web made of yarn and tree branches.
The key to fun and safe outdoor play even in the deep dark of winter is good gear, respect for weather safety and a caregiver's own joy for nature.
Kids should have a non-cotton base layer, a mid-layer like fleece or wool and a waterproof outer layer. Snowsuits can be worn even when it is not snowing. Top everything with a waterproof layer like Oaki rain suits on those wet, rainy winter days.
Mittens and gloves should be thick without being bulky. My students seem to tolerate the HEAD brand longer than other gear.
Thick, non-cotton socks wick away sweat while trapping heat. Snow boots retain heat and prevent dampness but a combination of thick rain boots like BOGS boots and doubled up layers of socks can also work.
For windy days, balaclavas prevent chapped lips and cheeks.
Assume your young ones will immediately jump in the only puddle in the park. As such, pack back-up clothes, boots and gear. Staying dry is essential to staying warm.
Kids that run warm may only need only a few of these things to play safely in cold weather like a base layer and a warm fleece, but still have these extra layers handy.
Hot mint tea in an insulated container and chocolate bars are my favorite trick for motivating kids to explore winter hikes and chilly playgrounds. They also keep small bodies warm and hydrated.
Not all weather is created equal. Even though my classroom is outdoors and we are brave, hardy souls, there are weather days that are too hazardous.
I usually refer to the Iowa Child Care Weather Watch to check if days are too unsafe and watch closely for signs of trouble: red and cold skin on ears, nose and fingers; shivering, and slurred speech.
Any signs of trouble, I remove the child to a warm spot.
Outside of safety, the most motivating factor for getting kids joyfully outside in cold weather is the company they keep. If caregivers — and particularly other young friends — are excited to play, then so will your kiddo. Winter time playdates are a wonderful way to get kids excited for playing outside.
I strongly believe that the kids don't need adults to organize their play, that nature itself is a teacher as much as I am. That said, some of my favorite invitations for play include fort building, treasure hunting maps and a beautiful open campfire from which kids can watch, warm up and run right back into cold weather play.
What was your own favorite nature play as a kid?
Maybe it was building a house under a white pine in the backyard, rolling down a hill at school or simply watching the world go by from a favorite tree. Adults can use what sparks play for them as little ones to get out in cold weather, and their kids are likely to follow the fun.
Bethany Marcello is a certified nature teacher and teaches preschool at Fern Hill School in Milton.