How to Get Outside During the Winter

Tiny Turtles in Snow. Photo by HDT Staffer

We all know there are reasons WHY we should be outside on a regular basis. It’s beneficial to both our mental and physical health. Fresh air strengthens our immune system, helps us sleep better, and improves our mood. According to studies, it takes just 120 minutes of outside time each week for kids to reap the health, happiness and learning benefits of nature. Here are some tips on HOW to get you and your family outside on a daily basis.

Nature Club explorers properly dressed for winter. Photo by HDT Staffer

Tips for your family

1. Make it routine. Select a time of day that you will most likely spend outside. It could be after school, after supper, or before you start your day. It can be discouraging to get everybody dressed and out the door only to come in a few minutes later, but it gets easier and it’s worth it!
   

2. Make it easy. By the time children are 4-years-old, they should be able to dress themselves for outdoor winter play. Use a visual checklist that helps remind what order items should be put on. Keep our gear accessible. It gets hung in the same spot, and boots are on the mat by the door.
   

3. Make it fun! Call a friend to join your outdoor adventure! Add some fun equipment. Check out some snow shoes, add a headlamp for night time exploration, hit the local ice rink, find a park to explore or take a stroll down a new trail. Build a campfire! Fully embrace snow activities: snowshoeing, sledding, shoveling, snowman-building, making snow angels, spraying snow with colored water...

Nora and friends snowshoeing. Photo by Nora W.

Tips to get yourself outside

1. Have a positive attitude. When you think positive thoughts about being outside, it’s easier to get out the door. Focus on the sunshine instead of the temperature. Look at the frost on the trees instead of the ice on the car. Speaking positively about going outside rubs off on others too. Get bundled with a smile on your face! You don’t have to stay out all day.
   

2. Identify a goal. What’s one thing you can do outside each day? Can you shovel the steps, walk to the mailbox, or simply take a moment to engage your senses outside? Think of ways you can increase the time you spend outside. There’s a movement called “1000 Hours Outside” (1000hoursoutside.com) with participants from across the globe. People are setting goals to spend 1000 hours outdoors in a year. Does that seem too ambitious? Can you start with 100 hours? How about a collective hour this week?
   

3. Reward yourself! Treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa or a hot bath when you come inside. Sometimes, it simply can be to check “go outside” off the to do list.

Some days you might find that you just can’t get outside. Your workload might be too pressing, you’re not feeling great, or you just can’t muster up the ambition to bundle up. In that case, open the curtains, move your favorite chair to a sunny spot, or stand by the window and simply make some observations. While you’re there, make a plan to get outside tomorrow! It’s totally worth your time.

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