I don’t know about you, but my kids are always happiest when we spend time outside. In the warmer months I hear the constant slamming of the screen door and the patter of bare feet coming in and out. In the colder months it can be harder to motivate everyone to get outside. I have felt this especially since moving to a northern latitude. Despite the extra willpower it takes to get outside I never regret the time spent in nature. The following tips have been helpful in getting us out in the winter.

1. Don’t stress about getting outside every day. I know this seems counterintuitive to put on a list about how to get kids outside in the winter, but hear me out. The worst thing you can do is let the pressure of trying to get outside make you dread getting outside. If my kids are having fun playing indoors, I’m not about to kick them out. Sometimes our “outside” time for the day is just running around in the front yard before getting in the car to go to the nice warm library. Which brings me to my next point.
2. Don’t set a timer. If the goal is to get outside every day, then don’t worry about how long you are outside. Some days my kids spend hours outside, other days we just go for a 20-minute walk around the property, and some days our outside time consists of running errands.
3. Layer up and keep them warm. Having the right clothing can make a huge difference when playing in cold weather. This does not mean you have to go out and pay big bucks for brand name gear. Check out your local thrift stores for kids’ snow pants, jackets, and boots. If you plan on spending time hiking in cold weather, I recommend a non-cotton base layer, a fleece mid-layer and an insulated water-resistant outer layer. I also bring a wool blanket to put over the girls if we are going out on the pulk sled.
4. Let them help with shoveling. It’s amazing how much fun kids have cleaning paths through the snow with kid sized shovels.
5. Hot coco fixes everything. This will never be a parenting blog, thank goodness, but I will say that a little bribery is sometimes the best way to encourage kids to get and stay outside. When my kids are getting a little crazy indoors, I will tell them it’s time to go outside. Sometimes they are on board and other times they fight it. When I know getting outside will do us all some good I tell them that once we are done outside we can make hot coco! This usually gets them running to put their snow gear on. Coco is also great motivation on winter hikes.
6. Clear a space for tiny ones. My youngest just turned two and this is her first winter of enjoying the snow. Last year it was a hard no for her. It can be hard for tiny ones to move in all the layers, they can’t see as well with hoods and hats, and falling in snow is no fun. Clear snow from an area on your porch or yard and put down a sleeping pad or blanket. Your smallest ones can have a warm place to sit and enjoy the scenery, you can even bring them some sand toys and a bucket of snow so they can experience it without face planting in the cold stuff.
7. Let your inner child out. One of the best reasons to go outside is it gives you a chance to play as well. I will be the first one to grab a sled and see how far I can make it down the back hill. Not to mention I make a rad snowman, our current one has a mohawk made of spruce bows. Going outside is fun and you should find a way to enjoy it as much as your kids do.

I hope this inspires you to get outside with your little ones. Feel free to share any tips you have on getting outside in the winter months in the comments below.