Getting Kids Outdoors in Winter

What's that famous Scandinavian saying? 

"There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing"
by somebody who loved the great outdoors



The statistics about children sitting for hours at a school desk and then more hours in front of a pc at home scare me. I love to get the children outside when I can for so many reasons, not least:


It keeps them FIT.
It CLEARS away stresses and frustrations.
Fresh air knocks viruses on the head, it keeps you HEALTHY.
Children need running like dogs daily exercise to stop them trashing the house and driving each other, and you, up the wall.
Getting out in a park, on a beach, in a garden or in a wood is FREE and fun!
The younger generations need to learn to love, appreciate and care for NATURE and the environment.
Outdoor trips can serve as wonderful LEARNING opportunities, a chance to practise new words, collect treasure, make nature art, tell stories and sing while you go.

But my oh my there's been an awful lot of awful weather in these parts of late. Even the most hardened of outdoorsy types has been resorting to weekends of crafting, baking and snuggling under a fluffy blanket to watch family classics whilst scoffing popcorn.

However, that's just made us even more determined to get out in the fresh air at every opportunity we can.


We've wrapped up warmly in layers (including tutus!) and looked for patterns on the beach

The girls ran races across the sand before hot chocolate at Bedruthan Steps Hotel up on the hill.




We took the girls on a coast walk, learning about the country code as we went. We made a poster on our return.





Pop over and visit Fiona and her inspiring #CountryKids blog at Coombe Mill for more ideas and motivation. Then there's the National Trust website with 50 ideas of things to do before you are 11 2/3 years old



You might also like to read These Boots Were Made for Walking about encouraging your child with Down's syndrome to enjoy strolling, or Going on a Bear Hunt with ideas for turning a trip to the woods into a little lesson. 


12 comments:

  1. I LOVE a bit of winter beach time :))) can't beat it! (so long as it's not raining tooooo much) lol xx

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    1. I know, lovely as long as it's sunny and crisp... thanks for popping by x

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  2. Love the tutu! As you say even the hardened have though twice about venturing out in the storms. Yesterday was beautiful though and a welcome break from the bleak weather and a chance to get out in the sunshine! The beach is always a favourite whatever the season with lots to see and do. Thanks for linking up and sharing your family fun with Country Kids.

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    1. Most welcome Fiona. Yes, what a tricky start to the year we've had, bit we've been out there as much as we could, failing that it's been swimming. Thank you for always pushing us outside more often :)

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  3. Oh I so wished we lived by a beach! Lovely woods round here though, can't have it all I guess :) Thank you for reminding me - we have homework about patterns to be done. Outside would be great! x

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    1. Woods are wonderful too, and actually our dog is not keen on beach so that's often where we head. Yes, outdoor patterns... fab idea! H x

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  4. Oh my goodness that tutu on the beach is great! Always the lady :) This weather has certainly been rotten so glad to see you getting out #countrykids

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    1. I'd wear a tutu if I thought I could get away with it Sabrina! Yes, the weather has been really hard work, but seeing these pics reminded me that we had managed to get out a bit at least. H x

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  5. Yes! This is so important for kids! And for adults. I find I am so much happier and so much more productive when I've been outside for a while each day. The rain is difficult in the countryside, not because of the rain itself but the huge amounts of mud where I live makes doing things difficult, but we still try!

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    1. Snap. I need fresh air, but am such a fair weather fiend! And snap, muddy lanes here too... my car is an utter embarrassment. Never mind eh :)

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  6. I'm loving tutu walks on the beach, fabulous, We have been getting out and about lots too this past week. It is super. Mich x

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    1. Wear your tutus next time darlings :) Thanks for dropping by Michelle xxx

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