Winter Activites for Kids

My midwest upbringing came with some superstitions about winter! Who else was taught they would get sick if they went outside with wet hair? Or go out in the cold without a jacket?

In the last couple years I completely had to shift my beliefs around this because research simply does not support it. Like a broken record I tell all my families all winter long about what I have learned. Research is completely debunking the belief that being outside (with or without) wet hair, does not lead to more illness!⠀

I completely understand why parents want to try to prevent their littles (and themselves) from getting sick in the winter. No one likes to be sick and it can be really hard to have a little one that is not feeling well.

So, in an effort to keep their kids healthy, the majority of my families keep their kids inside all.winter.long.

Research has found the many benefits of getting your kids outside, no matter the weather! In fact, getting outside during all seasons helps to boost immune systems rather than put them at risk. Here are some of the details:

• 30 minutes of play/movement gives our immune system a boost for the following 24-hours

• Time spent outdoors in the fresh air is a needed break from indoor air where most germs live. Our indoor air is more toxic and unhealthy than even the fresh air in a city. Google about indoor air pollution (with caution!)

• Kid who spend time outside daily (in all seasons) have stronger immune systems than kids that are kept inside

  Children who spend time outdoors have an easier time regulating their emotions and their behavior

SO - Bundle up those babies! Get them outside as many days as you can and know that by doing so you are supporting their immune systems.