Biking to school in snow, sleet, rain...

[AllisonR]

I need ideas to keep my 3yo DD excited about biking 1.2 km (3/4 mile) every day. Right now with the decent weather it is not a problem. In fact she loves doing it in the rain, because she can bike through the puddles. And we have now been biking every day for 2 months and since it is mostly flat, she does not complain about being tired until the end of the trip. Then I put her bike on my bike, and she can walk instead. But we have nasty winters fast approaching. And even though she will be very warmly dressed from head to toe, I know from previous winters in the stroller, she is not thrilled about having her face stung with ice and wind.

This is NOT a choice. We must make the best out of what we have.

[blizzard_babe]

What about a balaclava and ski goggles to reduce the sleet/snow in face factor? You'd have to be very careful because her peripheral vision would be diminished, but I'm guessing that at that age, you do a lot of safety monitoring to start with.

I know they make ski/snow goggles down to infant size because we own an infant pair. They still fit 2 y/o DS.

ETA: These are what we have.

[Tigerchild]

I think it might be asking too much of her (and you for that matter) to be excited/happy about biking in miserable conditions. As you say, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I think it's okay for kids (and adults) to not be thrilled with everything all of the time.

Make her as comfortable as possible, sympathize with her--but sometimes it's just not going to be very excited, and that's okay!

[tanyalynn]

Would a special warm-up routine at home afterward help? Something special that's only for after bike trips like hot cocoa and snuggling together with a special book (or whatever sounds special to you)?

[midnightwriter]

For a 10 min walk in bad weather I'd rather carry my 3yo (if needed) for all or part of the way, rather than bike, if she were truly miserable. A trailer for her?

If the above are not possible, I agree with the PP who said she doesn't have to be excited about ice and wind.

[DariusMom]

Originally Posted by Tigerchild

I think it might be asking too much of her (and you for that matter) to be excited/happy about biking in miserable conditions. As you say, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I think it's okay for kids (and adults) to not be thrilled with everything all of the time.

Make her as comfortable as possible, sympathize with her--but sometimes it's just not going to be very excited, and that's okay!

This. I live in Holland and we pretty much have to bike places as it's well nigh impossible to park a car (depending on where you're going). I hate biking in the rain, but I do it because that's really the only way I'm gonna' get where I'm going. If this is more or less your situation, that's just the way it's gotta' be.

[sunnmama]

Would it be easier to walk that distance in the snow and sleet? It would take a bit longer, but you could at least carry umbrellas and keep the wet off your faces. Bright boots and a bright umbrella can make all the difference in attitude. And, to me, it sounds dangerous for a 3 yo to be biking in slippery weather.

[ParisApril]

We walk and bike everywhere in all kinds of weather. 1.2 km isn't very far to walk and if your winters are anything like our snowy Ontario, Canada winters then I'd think walking would by far be the easiest thing for a 3 year old to do once the snow starts flying.

All I can suggest is that you dress for the weather. Nothing makes a kid unhappy as fast as being cold/wet.

Hot chocolate/tea to warm up when you get back and maybe even the occasional sled ride with you pulling on super snowy days.

[karne]

I don't know if you get enough snow to make use of this idea, but we have a couple of scandinavian kick sleds-basically wooden seats with handles mounted on long, thin skis-that are great for pushing kids easily through snow.

Otherwise, I second concerns about a little one biking with potentially obstucted vision, ie goggles. I'm assuming you use a bike helmet, which can make a proper fit with a hat under difficult. You can buy something called helmet helpers, which we use to put over equestrian helmets in the cold weather. Ours are polar fleece, and go over the outside of the helmet, cover the ears, and the chin. I'd also reccomend a double thick wool balaclava if you are just dressing for warmth, as well as good layers of wool, or wool/silk undies, and similar socks.