| 1. Dress Right | | | | snowshoeing, skiing, hiking - there are actually a lot of |
| The most important tip for surviving kids and winter is | | | | things to do in winter. Snowshoeing, in fact, is one of |
| to make sure that everyone is dressed correctly for | | | | the easiest to start out with. Encourage your child to |
| winter. While winter gear may seem expensive, it is | | | | do the same. Small children especially like sledding and |
| possible to get what you need without spending a | | | | skating, so you might want to spend a little money to |
| fortune. Places like TJMaxx, Marshalls, Target and | | | | get them the right equipment. |
| other discount stores often carry the right materials. | | | | 3. Know Your Area |
| You just need to know what to look for. | | | | Spend a day on the internet searching for indoor play |
| First and foremost, you need gloves and a hat that are | | | | places in your area. You may find that there are a lot |
| made from wind and waterproof or at least water | | | | more than you initially thought. A little time spent |
| resistant material. It is the wind that really makes you | | | | researching can come in really handy on a day when |
| cold, so mittens and head gear that can help you keep | | | | on one really wants to go outside. Be sure to note the |
| out the breeze are really important. | | | | hours of operation, rules (some of them, for instance, |
| Next, you need the proper footgear. Wool socks or | | | | require everyone to wear socks), and cost. You'll have |
| some kind of material like cashmere or angora are | | | | a handy reference list just when you need it. |
| much better than cotton, which does not wick away | | | | 4. Rotate Toys |
| the moisture or keep you very warm for long periods | | | | One of the best tricks for making winter days fly by |
| of time. | | | | indoors is to rotate toys. By dividing all the toys in the |
| Finally, you need the proper materials for layers. | | | | house into two or three piles, and putting either one half |
| Everyone knows - layer, layer, layer, but with what? | | | | or two thirds of them away, you can make old toys |
| Start with a synthetic material that can wick the | | | | seem new the next week when you pull them back |
| moisture off your skin rather than clinging to you as | | | | out. This trick does not work as well with older kids, |
| cotton does. A lot of shirts nowadays are a cotton | | | | since they start to ask for specific toys, but for smaller |
| blend, and this works well too. Next pull a mid-weight | | | | children it is incredibly helpful. |
| piece on like a fleece or wool sweater. On the bottom | | | | 5. Link Up |
| pull on a pair of long johns, which are usually already | | | | You may have a set of friends or regular playgroup |
| made from synthetics, and a pair of tights, jeans, or ski | | | | already set up, but winter is an excellent time to reach |
| pants on top. Over all of this you can wear a long coat | | | | out to new people or those you do not know as well |
| or at least one that covers your hips. This will provide | | | | and try to meet up. Offer to host an afternoon of fun, |
| the right balance of insulation and warmth that you | | | | and be sure to have some kid-friendly snacks on hand. |
| need. | | | | Make tea and cocoa for the adults. You may hit it off, |
| All of the above applies to small children, although most | | | | you may not, but at least you did not watch TV all |
| ski pants for kids are actually bib pants that come up | | | | afternoon! |
| over the shoulders. There are great because they | | | | With a little creativity and effort, and by incorporating |
| provide just a little extra bit of protection. | | | | these suggestions into your daily routine, you can and |
| 2. Pick a Sport | | | | your kids will soon find winter to be one of your |
| Another key factor in having a great winter is to pick | | | | favorite seasons! |
| something you really like to do. Snowboarding, sledding, | | | | |