Winter for young ones

I haven't always been keen on the cold. When I was younger, I remember prefering the warm indoors to the inviting drifts that reached mountainous perportions in front of our windows. Living in the country, we loved watching how the snow would blow the most amazing drifts in the craziest places around our house. Our parents sent us outside to play, and we did become pretty creative despite our initial reservations.

Now that I have kiddos of my own, I have a new appreciation for the outdoors. Over Christmas, my sister helped make the most amazing fort out of one of those huge snowdrifts at my parent's house. My dad piled up massive mounds of snow for a crazy sledding hill that satisfied my thrill seeking son.

At our house we go outside most days that it is not below zero. My mom thinks I am a nut case to take 5-6 children ages 4 and under outside when it's so cold. Yes, the bundling is work, but I feel like the payoff is in the experience.

I think it's the different environment. The conversations we can have with children outside are very different than the ones that happen inside. We wonder about the temperature, why it's harder to walk, or why the snow is different on different days. We give them new vocabulary to match to their new environment.

Snow itself is such an amazing substance. I bring it inside and put it in tubs so the children can work with it. When given spoons, small shovels, stacking cups and plastic animals children make all sorts of discoveries. The first fluffy snow is light, and doesn't pack well. The longer they play however, the more the snow packs! As we play more, it actually turns into water! Sometimes we take for granted all of the things children are discovering. I love the conclusions children come to on their own through observing and interacting in their environment, especially when they have someone asking quesions to make them wonder even more.

This winter has brought so many snow experiences. The kids catch snowflakes on their tounges, make snowforts, snow angels and snowballs. We have a small hill perfect for beginning sledders. All of the kids love climbing on the rock in our front yard and jumping off. I love all the old-fashioned fun winter brings.

Last week, I got out the pails and shovels. The kids packed the snow into a bucket and turned it over making "snow castles". Suddenly the snow castles turned into cakes. One of the girls brought the "cake" over to our table (which has all kinds of holes in the top of it). They smashed the snow cake through the table, and watched it "snow" underneath.

When the snow turns much more icy, the kids love to walk around on top of it. The young ones keep their balance. The older ones love the opportunity to "skate" on patches that are especially icy. We take out watter colored with food coloring. We put it in spray bottles or squirt bottles and paint pictures in the snow.

When the driveway clears off, we get out the riding toys. I love how children learn quickly to have agility even with all their winter gear on.

I have to admit thought, my favorite part of winter fun is escaping back inside for a cup of hot cocoa (or a fire in the fireplace when it's just our family) I also enjoy how well the children sleep after the fresh air and exercise!

What are your favorite winter activities? What other fun ideas do you have for interacting with children in the snow? Do you have childhood winter memories?