IKEA sells affordable and sturdy indoor climbing pieces. The online website One Step Ahead has an Energy Busters section for kids offering indoor seesaws, hop-scotch and trampolines. The Playaway Toy Company Inc. offers Rainy Day Combo kits in which an indoor swing, trapeze bar or ladder can be added to a sturdy doorframe.
How cold is too cold?
The Montgomery County, public schools in Maryland and Fairfax County public schools in Virginia have set parameters for schools in their counties for determining if and when it is too cold to play outside for recess.
Generally, both counties take wind chill into account and temperatures dipping into the 20s or teens as an indicator of when it is going to be an indoor recess day. But the consensus seems to be if there is sun and the temperature is above the 20s, you and the kids are generally safe to play outside for at least a half hour.
Take advantage of a Winter Wonderland
The Let’s Move! campaign for kids says, “It’s tempting to hibernate during the winter, but cooler months are a great time to get out and try new activities with your family.”
In the event the D.C. area does get a snowstorm, Letsmove.gov offers these activities:
- Sledding down a slope is a fun winter tradition, and the return hike uphill promotes a great workout.
- Ice skating is a great way to exercise the lower body and engage the core, or abdominal or back muscles.
- Sand castles don’t have to be just for the beach. Make the summer pastime a fun winter experience and build a snow castle.
- Create winter outdoor versions of games such as scavenger hunts, tag and red light, green light.
- Hit the slopes as January is National Ski and Snowboard Month.
Hot cocoa on a stick
I have learned that kids seem to love hot chocolate on a cold winter day — and things on a stick. The King Arthur Flour Company offers this recipe for hot cocoa on a stick:
Ingredients:
