Tips for Getting Outside with Kids Year-round

Here in Michigan, it has gotten cold which can especially be hard for parents with kiddos with a lot of energy. I know that for my kids, they need physical activity daily and getting outside to play is the best way to do this. Otherwise, they may be seen bouncing off the walls and screaming through my entire house.. We make it a priority most days to get outside and I wanted to share some of my tips that help us get outside.

1. Everyone will feel so much better

When you are feeling cooped up inside, try bundling up and getting outside for a walk. It would be so easy to stay inside for the majority of November through April but guess what? I know that I will feel awful if I do this so we prioritize getting outside. Within about 10 minutes of being active outdoors, we all feel so much better. Troy and I notice ourselves feeling happier, complaining less and being more thankful for our lives. The kids are less restless, sleep better and have a great time. It is a win-win for everyone!

2. Bribe yourself (and the kids)

Hey, there is nothing wrong with bribing yourself to get outside. A great way to do this is to walk and get yourself a coffee from a coffee shop. It is a little treat and you are forcing yourself to get outside. Sometimes, I tell the kids if they play outside and don't complain, we can all come in for a cup of hot chocolate. Whatever works!

3. The excitement of playing in the snow

When a fresh snowfall comes, kids get so excited. This is great motivation to get outside and play. Some of the things we like to do are go sledding, make a snowman or just play in the snow and make snow angels and more. I make sure to stock up on quality, cold-weather gear so that we have no excuses for not getting out and so that the kids stay warm outside.

4. Be prepared

I find that being prepared is the number 1 most important part for having a successful time playing outside in the cold weather. This includes several components.

1.  Wear the right gear- If it is 20 degrees out for example, we will all have on hats, very warm gloves, maybe snow pants or two pairs of pants, a coat, boots and maybe a scarf. Staying warm is crucial for enjoying time in the cold. 
2. Lots of tissues- When the weather drops to 40 degrees or below, my nose gets super drippy, even if I am not sick. In our stroller, I always keep packs of tissues for runny noses. It's one of the worst things being outside with a drippy nose and having nothing to blow your nose in.
3. Wipes to cleanup messy kids- My kids pretty much snack constantly and get messy faces so it is very important for us to keep wipes on hand when we are out. They also get muddy often so having wipes on hand is so helpful to the kids up and continuing to have a good time outdoors.

We love the Nice 'n CLEAN Antibacterial Hand Wipes from CVS in the allergy section. They come in convenient small packs of 20 which travel in your purse, stroller or even a pocket nicely. They clean better than an antibacterial gel and get food, dirt, etc. off better. Whenever we are out without wipes, I almost always regret it.