Outdoor games in the cold?

[EzzysMom]

Tell me what you do outside in the cold! We're in Boston so we have some snow sometimes, but it melts into ice in some parts after a day or two usually. It's cold, so we've got on mittens which makes manipulating small things tough and the boots are hard to walk in! But we've got to get out, today we got some snow so we made some good snowmen, but what else do you do outside when it's cold and DD is just too unstable to climb on the structures covered in ice and snow at the playground?

[malayasmommy]

We live in Minneapolis, so I feel your pain and the need to get outside! Unfortunately I don't have a ton of ideas for you, but I will share the little bit that I have. First of all, I have adjusted my expectations for "winter activities"--in the summer we are going to the park, or "chasing" each other down the sidewalk or playing ball etc. etc. etc. In winter I think less is more--it just feels good to get out! Some days, we just go for a walk for 20 min and that is plenty. I bring her sled with and sometimes I pull her on that, but she mostly walks. We make snow angels, and we still chase each other if it's not icy. Even though the snow is deep, we *do* try to hit the park and I lift her up to the smaller slides and she can go down those; she can also go on some swings, some rocking toys, etc. Some days we spend time looking at the winter birds, squirrels, pine trees, etc. and talking about them.

This is a difficult time of year especially if you have an energetic toddler! I know many people who don't go outside at all, so to even be doing that and getting fresh air will be great for you! I know I feel so much better.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

We use spray bottles with a few drops of food coloring in each one (avoiding yellow LOL) I started when DS1 was about 2. There is plenty of snow for it today!!!!!

We have little toddler snow shoes that leave tracks like bigfoot so we love walking in those around the yard.

[blizzard_babe]

Lately? We don't. But it's been... um... like -50 if you include the wind chill.

But when it's above zero, we just do a lot of walking. Walking in a snowsuit is enough of a physical challenge for DS (20mos). We'll walk down the road and then sometimes out onto the tundra, but the terrain is pretty uneven on the tundra, so I usually end up carrying him. Or we'll pull him in the sled, or let him pull the sled... but generally, it's some form of plain ol' walking.

Man, I wish it'd warm up.