Do You Take Your Child Out in the Winter?

YES!! Everyday, no matter the weather (unless it's VERY stormy). We got about 2 feet of snow yesterday and are getting ready to head out to play in it! My DD is 3. I put her in comfy clothes, snow pants, a sweater, heavy winter coat, mittens with gloves underneath, hat and boots! She loves it. It helps pass the day, gets us both some exercise, fresh air and vitamin D! Enjoy!

I like the school's rule that my daughter goes to, they only go out if its above 20 and no windchill. So, we go with that rule.

It was in the 20s here yesterday with fresh snow, and I took my 3 year old outside to play in it for a while. As long as they are bundled up appropriately and the windchill is not severe, it will do them some good to get out of the house and get some fresh air. We were outside for about 30 minutes before DD started complaining that she was cold, so then it was back in for hot cocoa! At her preschool, they will still have outdoor recess for about 15 to 20 minutes as long as the windchill temp is above 10 F.

YES!! Bundle your little guy up and get out for some fresh air! You need the vitamin D just as much as he does. It will really wear him out too, just make sure you let him walk and explore!

Yes.
This is what snow pants, snow boots, winter coats, and mittens were invented for. My Mom would bundle up my sister and me and have us play outside for several hours every day no matter what the weather (unless there was thunder and lightning). At 2, you want to be out with him. Show him how to make snow angels, snow balls, snow forts, snow men, etc. Pull him on a sled (or tie a rope through the handle of a laundry basket and pull him in it. Even a small snow shovel can be fun to play with. A play ground is just as fun with snow. Before you go out, put some Chapstick on his lips and some lotion on his face to keep exposed skin from getting windburn.
When it's all over, hang everything up to dry and have some warm cocoa.

Yes!!! Our weather is very similar to yours, and we go out every day. My two year old is also very outdoorsy and would go crazy if I tried to keep him inside. He loves to wander around the block a couple of times a day (exploring some days and runnning others), shovel the snow, ride his bike, ... I also take him to the playground a couple of times a week. Swinging and sliding always cheers him up. I just encourage him to stay off of potentially slippery surfaces so he doesn't get hurt. Just make sure to bundle yourself up too!

heavens yes! dress that little guy warmly and go out and have fun!
khairete
S.

Take him out! Fresh air and sunshine is good for everyone, even if it's cold. Just make sure he is covered and cozy. Even a 15 or 20 minute little trot will be fun. I say go for it and have a ball!

i take my 18 month old out. not for long, but she is bundled and out we go. Children will not complain or notice as much so go with what you feel. Remember their hands and feet are more fragile then ours

Hi Johanna, I live in upstate NY. I took my pre-preschoolers out every single day if only for a few minutes to play ('cept newborns, of course), regardless of the weather.

Was a question of SANITY for ALL of us!

:)

Yes
We live in Ireland and we take our son to the beach ,the park to feed the ducks, for walks in the forests all year round.
We would go crazy if we spent all day stuck in the house.
Dress to suit the weather and enjoy.
B.

They make hats, gloves and scarves for a reason. It's not too cold out. Take your little guy out & let him experience the snow!

We would go stark raving mad without being able to get out of the house! Absolutely take your little one out if you want to! My only advice is to make sure they're appropriately dressed. We're in the UP of Wisconsin and I make sure my son is dressed appropriately (snow bib, snow boots, coat, mittens, hat and appropriate clothing under) then we stay out as long as he wants. I watch his little cheeks and when they start to get pretty red we come in. I do watch windchills though.

Why should you be stuck inside? Ski pants aren't just or snow. Bundle up in lots of layers and go outside and play. My sons school goes outside for 15 minutes unless it below 10 degrees so we do the same thing. If it's below 10 degrees I try to take them to mcdonalds to play inside and burn off the energy.

Oh my goodness! YES! Get outside! Just because it's cold doesn't mean you can't go outside. Just make sure you have nice warm clothes, hats, boots, and gloves. We LOVE playing outside in the winter :)

Johanna,
Please do! it is good for him to go out and get some fresh air. You don't have to be an hour outside, but just a little while. Even if you take him to a park for 15mins and let him air out some of his energy it would be good for him and you both :)
Just make sure that he is dress warm enough for the weather.
Enjoy!

We go outside almost every day even when it is in the 30's. I think being outside is really important for kids' development. It is fine to take your little one for a walk---just make sure he is bundled up really good- scarf, jacket, gloves, hat, and if he likes to ride in the stroller, you can put him there with a blanket on top.

We don't stay outside for more than 45 min if it is REALLY cold. Just depends on how my kids feel and what we are doing.

M

I live in Toms River, NJ so I know exactly what you are talking about. My daughter is 1.5 and I try to take her out at least once a week. She loves it and it really tires her out and she is much happier. I take her to a lot of other places through out the week like the mall play area or the library. I know how hard it can be to get you and your kid all bundled up just to go outside for maybe an hour before they start to get the cold rash on their cheeks. My neighborhood has too much snow to go for a walk so we just play in the driveway and my husband snowplowed some paths in the back yard so she loves to run around them like they are a maze. THis time of year is really hard to get your kids out but take a look at your local library and see if they have any free activities there or if you can look into a mother child class. I even started a play group with some friends and we try to get together a couple times a month. Winter is always the hardest so don't feel bad if you spend a couple of days in the house. Just play play play indoors and you will be fine.

Bundle up and get out of the house. Fresh air and exercise does wonders for both mental and emotional health for both of you. Besides fresh air makes baby sleep better and makes mom sleep better too. Just be certain he is bundled up and keep your outting as long as he can stand it. My boys are in their teens now and I still put them out of the house everyday even on days when it snows. They need to get that little boy energy out of them outside of the house.

OMG, my 2.5yo is out EVERY DAY, ALL day. (We have a nanny, and I work FT)
She gets them out (I have a 4mo too) from about 9am to 1ish daily. The little guy needs to burn energy big time, and she'd go stir crazy.

Some days they just go Target and walk around for awhile. Some days they go out. Either way, even if it's 15 degrees outside they're out!

Absolutely!!!!! Go and get some fresh air even if it is cold outside. The key is to keep you and your son warm. Bundle him up and get him outside to use some of that energy :)

Heck ya! And here is my winter tip - my kids never liked wearing those masks (neither did I) and scarves can fall off and drag in the snow. I make my kids "face warmers". I have seen similar items sold at ski store for $20-$30, but here is what I do - I take a plain old stocking hat (either and old one we have or one that I bought on clearance) cut the top part completly off. This will leave you with a "tube" of fabric. Quick stich the end that you cut so it doesn't ravel and you have a face warmer! We like them because you can wear it around your neck, pull it up to cover your nose and cheeks when it's cold and then pull it down when you get warm or want to talk, blow your nose etc. Much better than a full face mask!

yes yes yes!!!!!! I had 2 winter babies and took walks outside when they were just weeks old and I still make a point to get out on a daily basis! Schools around here take the kids out for recess still... I think they stay inside if it gets below 15 degrees or something like that! Invest in the right gear for you (you wont grow out of it like the kids do)... you can get some great deals right now at llbean or landsend. And, I always get my kids a practical coat and snow pants system and some gloves, hat, scarf and you are all set! Playing out in the cold is refreshing and makes for a great night of sleep when you come in (do your outdoor play before his nap time and he will probably sleep like a log!) We live in a downtown area, so we will walk to the local shops, (which includes a coffee shop that has hot chocolate)... otherwise, I will let my daughter play on her swing set and slide still... even though it is currently covered in snow and icicles!

Take him outside wear double layers hat,gloves,snow pants winter boots & get him out it doesn't have to be long a walk around the block 10-20 min outside a few times a day isn't going to hurt him & YES we do go out my kids have already been sleding last Monday & since i'm a sahm I have no choice if I need to go out we dress for the occasion with other winter gear in the trunk in case we break down or car accident.
NO need to be homebound just becasue it's cold outside

As long as you bundle him up as you do yourself he'll be fine. Make sure he has a cap on covering his lil' ears from the cold. Put some vaseline on his face so it doesnt get chapped. If I have to be out in the cold of winter I put baby oil on after my shower and it seals your skin and keeps you warm too.
As long as the air isnt too cold to breathe your son should be okay. I'm sure you could both use a dose of the sunshine :)
**Taking yourself and your child into WARM places during winter is where the BACTERIA is.... I'd stay out of public indoor places.

of course bundle up and get out for a little while how about going to mall too

Yes, I do. If it's not to windy for about 15 to 20 minutes. They need some air. Believe it or not just this little bit of time gets them tired. :)

I think it is important to go out every day! We used to live in Alaska and everyone goes out there. This was temps in the negatives! You just dress for the weather and enjoy the great outdoors. Now we live at high altitude in another cold snowy area and we still get out daily. We just dress super warm. I try not to scrimp on outerwear and if it's really cold we also wear long underwear under our clothes. Our kids go out walking/hiking/sledding/ice skating and skiing. I have a little sled that I can pull behind me. Our 6 year old loves skiing and our 1 yr old just tried out these teeny xcountry skis last weekend for the first time (with help of course). She loved it! She and I go to a toddler group at a local environmental center once a week and after the storytime and craft all the toddlers go out for a hike in the snow. We look for animal tracks or listen for bird calls. The kids all love it! My one yr old and I also take the dogs out for a walk every single day no matter what the weather. Sometimes we meet friends with toddlers/babies and we all go for a hike together. We just bundle all the kids up and if it is insanely cold we just keep it short.

Bundle him up! He'll love it! I haven't had a car for several years now, and we walk everywhere, rain or shine, winter or summer. Even when the temp drops down into the teens. That started when my now 4 1/2 yo daughter was younger than your little guy.

Just make sure he's in a nice heavy coat, snow suit, hat, gloves, etc. You know, the usual. :) And he'll be fine. Just remember though, that if he's going to ride in a stroller vs. walking he'll need a nice warm blanket. He won't be generating the type of heat you will while walking if he's just sitting there. Just make sure he doesn't try to lick any poles. All three of my older children learned what a mistake that was this winter, much to their dismay. LOL Also, make sure to either take a thermos of cocoa or a bottle of water. Playing outside is thirsty work, especially in this weather.

Have you ever heard of a forest kindergarten? Those children are outside, every day, their whole class time. The only exception is that they have a shelter for lightening. So yes, your little guy will be perfectly fine. And a plus of playing outside in such cold weather is that it really tires you out quickly so he would hopefully be ready for a nap when you got home because you certainly will be. :)

Our pre-school here goes out for recess as long as its 25 or above. Elementary goes out after lunch everyday unless its raining. Kids are immune to the cold, us mom's on the other hand need to bundle up!

Bundle him up and take him out - if only for 30 minutes or less.

Absolutely with long underwear and snug warm hat and mittens-- go out and have fun!

Always! Pack him up warmly and get out there. You will both feel so much better. The cold is not dangerous, it is envigorating and exciting for both of you.

Make sure each of you is dressed appropriately and get outside!! Both of you need the fresh air!! Go for a walk, have him help you shovel, whatever it takes to keep him happy and warm. If he were in a liscenced day care, he would be going out per law.

Yes, bundle your child up. I like to put vaselline on my sons cheeks, nose, chin and lots of chapstick to keep his skin protected on cold days...especially if there is any winde. Other than that the rest of him already bundled. I just check to make sure he's warm still underneath...like his hands or the back of his neck. Should be fine though IMO.

We definitely go out year round---we only get like three months of hot weather here in Chicago. We do warm weather gear--snow pants, coats, hats, gloves, boots, scarf. My daughter could play in the snow for hours =) Unless it is just freezing out and there is no snow to play in--then we do indoor activities =)

And no offense to Grandma T, but I would not put baby oil on your child's face. He could get some serious sun burn. You can totally get sun burn even in the winter. Put some vaseline or aquaphor on his cheeks when you come in if they are chapped.

We go out all the time in the winter! I try to bring the kids out as much as possible year round, as long as it is not a frostbite windchill. Just make sure he is in a snow suit and wearing a hat and warm boots... The fresh air and exercise is good for everyone. We even maid a home made skating rink in our yard and my 5 year old daughter and almost 3 year old son love it (Daddy is a big hockey fan and my daughter has started beginner hockey). Keep him moving and he will be plenty warm outside!

I love it! 37 people saying yes. I'd like to print this out and slip it under my neighbors' door. They give me a hard time whenever they see us leaving the building in the winter.

In Oklahoma child care regulations we are required to go outside every day...I asked the licensing worker exactly what that meant. I was told it meant every day every child should go outside for at least a few minutes. If it is hailing, lightening, severe storms threatening, etc...then the child is at risk of serious injury. So I took my kids outside every day for at least 5 minutes. It never hurt them, they enjoyed the snow and ice, sliding around. Just make sure they have on gloves and warm socks inside their shoes. They can have hot cocoa or a cup of hot soup once back inside so it's not too hard to warm up.

I also asked about the babies, their regulations were worded just a bit differently. We only took them outside, they were sometimes just carried outside by their teacher, in weather above 50 degrees.

If a mom said her kids were too sick to go outside we told her to keep them home, the worker said if a child is too sick to go outside then they were too sick to be in child care.

Sure you can take him out. Why not? Dress him warmly and go out and play in the snow. I don't know if he will be able to walk much in it so I wouldn't go to far from home. Two year old's have such short legs that it only takes a couple inches to trip them up. Especially if dressed in bulky clothes and boots. And all the clothes make it so hard to carry them when they decide they don't want to walk anymore! Most time people don't like to take young children out in the cold and snow because the adult doesn't want to go out in it. LOL

Of course you should go outside. It was 26 degrees when we left the apartment this morning.

We go out nearly every day. I put my son's pj bottoms on under his pants and he wears two or three shirts, plus a sweatshirt, snowpants, hat, mittens, scarf, boots. He is toasty warm. I'm the one that is usually cold. We go to the snow filled playground and go on the swings and down the slides. We have a blast.

If your summer beach toys are available take them out with you and make snow castles or just let him dig. My son can dig for hours if I let him.

Don't forget the sunscreen on his little face if it is really sunny outside.

Happy digging.

Peace.