How long is your outside time in winter?

[monkeymama]

How long do you stay outside to play in the winter? We were outside for a little over an hour this morning...it was too long for the little ones (15-17 months) and not long enough for the older ones (3 and 4 yo).....on average how long do you plan outdoor time in the winter?

Im also on the hunt tonight for some new winter boots for myself...mine are no longer waterproof :huh:

[Inspired by Reggio]

Totally varies on how cold it is out there ... last winter we were able to go to the park most mornings and be outside from 9-11ish daily cause we did not have a lot of snow in our area and temperatures hovered around -3 mark or warmer so it was so nice out.

Unless it is colder than -10 or there is a weather warning in affect we make an attempt to get out daily and than play it by ear as to how long we stay out ~ I am a majority rules type person if all but 1-2 are voting to stay out we stay out and the others need to learn to toughen up and find a way to enjoy the outside ... if it is the non mobile infant having a really hard time than I will cut it short cause they cannot choose to keep warm the same way mobile children can.

[sunnydays]

I have two 13 month olds, a 20 month, a 2year old, a 3 year old and my own 2.5 year old. I find that 30-45 minutes is all I can get out of the youngest ones because they can't do much and then they get cold because they aren't moving aruond enough (or they don't have the right clothing...see my vent post...LOL). Sometimes if it is not too slippery we go for a little walk and the older ones walk...but even then the babies are just sitting, so they get cold.

[sunnydays]

Reggio: I would love to go to the park, but find it is either frosty and slippery or snowy/icy and slippery in the winter...how do you deal with the slippery factor?

[apples and bananas]

We were out for 45 min this am. A short walk and then some free play. They probably could have lasted longer... but I got cold. LOL It was zero degrees outside this am, but there was some great sun.

[monkeymama]

Im not a big fan of winter, but want to make sure the kids are getting some fresh air and exercise...

[sunnydays]

By the way, I bought myself some Boggs last year and so far they are great because you can wear them in the spring and fall as well as winter...I haven't worn them in the coldest part of winter yet, but yesterday it was -10 with the windchill and my feet were warm and dry :)


Im not a big fan of winter, but want to make sure the kids are getting some fresh air and exercise...

[monkeymama]

thanks sunnydays! I had a friend recommend them as well so Im going to go look tonight :)

[mimi]

I have a pair of Bogs and they are great and worth the $$ as they last forever. If the weather is sunny/cold we are out for a good hour. It really depends on the wind chill and how hard the wind is blowing.

[crafty]

Usually we got outside after snack until lunch time, so we stay out over an hour sometimes 2. I continue to check on them if there hands and feet are cold. If all is good and they are happy and playfull we stay out.

This AM I found it colder and had a craft activity planed so I waitted until after lunch to go outside. So we only got an hour in before nap time. However right now all m kids are 20 months plus.

Wanted to ask you guys if you went outside until pick up in the afternoon ? My backyard gets dark now and my last pick up is at 5h00pm. So it is dark ( I'm way out in the country so there are no lights) I touhgt it migh not be safe or pleasant. Do you go outside in the pm in winter time ?

[daycaremum]

All my kiddos are dressed to walk out my laneway to take my kids to the bus. So since they are already all bundled this is when we have our outdoor time. We stay out from 30-60 mins depending on how well they are entertaining themselves. Mind you I have all 2.5-3 year olds right now. This way I don't have to get them dressed a second time and don't go out when it is the end of the day (darker and colder). The rest of the year we stay out in the morning and end our day outside as well.

[Inspired by Reggio]

..... Do you go outside in the pm in winter time ?

When I worked until 5:30 I use to go out at around 4 and than come in when it got 'dusk' typically cause the temperature would drop so quickly without the sun ... we would have a drink at the table and do some stories to warm up and they would go home from the quiet activities at the table.

I only work until 4:30 now so we go outside after snack and stay out until home time.

[Other Mummy]

My crew had mixed reviews about our 45min at the park. Half were cold, the other half wanted to stay. I soaked in as much sunshine as I could then we headed home for lunch. The next few months will be cold and I'm not a cold weather gal...Guess I have to suck it up once again this winter....my crew needs to be outside at least 45 min a day for a good exercise break. Unless we're experiencing a snow storm or something of course :)

[Dreamalittledream]

We stayed out for about 45 min this morning; nice bright sunshine made everyone more cheerful. Makes for nice rosy cheeks, good healthy eaters at lunch and great naps:). I swear sometimes I feel like it takes longer to dress/undress them than playtime is sometimes! I tend to take the older ones out in the yard (with baby monitor on, of course) on cold days while the babies are napping.

[daycarewhisperer]

We go out every day for a walk for 45 minutes. The limits for us are under 20 degrees F or over 80 degrees. Today was 25 degrees so we took the whole crew out for the full 45 minutes. I supply all the outdoor gear for the kids so we always have everything we need so they can stay warm. It took nearly an hour today because we had to double layer everyone and try on coats for the little babies. It usually takes about 7 minutes per kid to get them in FULL head to toe gear so with eight... it's a pretty good chunk of time. I want the most exercise bang for the time so I try to make sure they are dressed warmly enough for a 45 minute walk.

I only do walking. I don't have an outdoor play area so we just tool the neighborhood. The kids get super froggy if we miss too many days so it's really worth the extra effort to make it happen.

[daycarewhisperer]

Usually we got outside after snack until lunch time, so we stay out over an hour sometimes 2. I continue to check on them if there hands and feet are cold. If all is good and they are happy and playfull we stay out.

This AM I found it colder and had a craft activity planed so I waitted until after lunch to go outside. So we only got an hour in before nap time. However right now all m kids are 20 months plus.

Wanted to ask you guys if you went outside until pick up in the afternoon ? My backyard gets dark now and my last pick up is at 5h00pm. So it is dark ( I'm way out in the country so there are no lights) I touhgt it migh not be safe or pleasant. Do you go outside in the pm in winter time ?

We go out from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 for the day shift. When I have evening kids we do 5:00 pm to 5:45 pm. It's dark here at that time but we have great street lights for the sidewalk.

[Crayola kiddies]

I go out from 9:15 to 10:30 unless it's bitter..... I have two babies this winter (currently 10 and 13 months)so my outside time might be drastically reduced.

[Daycare123]

I have been wondering about outdoor time as well. I have 2 one year olds, a two year old and my own daughter is 8 months. It's young for this temperature!

[sunnydays]

I go outside in the afternoon, but go in at dusk as Reggio mentioned. Usually most of my kids are gone by then, so it means only undressing one or two. Of course it depends on the temperature...tomorr ow they are calling for -19 with the windchill here....definitely not a day to be outside :(

[Inspired by Reggio]

I have been wondering about outdoor time as well. I have 2 one year olds, a two year old and my own daughter is 8 months. It's young for this temperature!

If it helps when I worked in centre care our guidelines for 'all infant classrooms' where the majority were not mobile outside was -6 and than wind chill into account.

[Daycare123]

Thanks Reggio :) I was thinking around there too. I have worked with different guidelines myself-but they all were all too cold for this age group in my opinion.

[angelina]

i am active mom and i love being outdoors.
I am MEC member, so I got all the winter gear covered.

Toasty waterproof mitts for the young ones and me, and for my daycare kids, I require 2 extra mitts, one waterproof ( for making snow angels) and one fleecy/soft when taking breaks. i wore my snow pants daily, and I got 2 -3 pairs. I ski and ice skates myself so, I really do have the gear part covered. I take my own kids skating at Rideau Canal too for Winterlude.

My youngest is 2 years and 4 months, and i have 2 toddlers ( both 3 and 1/2 years old). We are are average 3-4 hours a day, as we are out 9:30-11:30 am then the afternoon is 3-5pm.

During peak of winter [dec -march], we have a big hill in our area and we are out as early as 8:30 am, then we sled, we come in to have snack at 9:30am, then we are out again. I think we stay out much longer on these months when there is enough snow to make snow man, or snow angels. Nowadays, snow comes and go, and if we don't have snow, we go out to library, airport, or OEYC playgroups.

Last year, my youngest was only 1 year old and he still enjoy his sledding time. I bought him a one piece suit from Mountain Equipment Coop, and boots and mitts from Stonz(www.stonzwear. com/). These were all water proof and kids were having fun.

My stroller last year was a BOB Revolution Dualie - it glides over snow, no problem.
This year, since i have 3 kids, plus maybe one 16 month old to join us in December, I bought the Runabout Quad, so we will be set to go out anytime.

Summer and Winter are my fave season. Fall is sickie time, and spring is too muddy!

Personally, I think as long as you get out once a day, that should be good enough, especially if you got baby in your care. There is no requirement for us to stay out for 2 hours, right???

And oh, invest in Stonz boots and mitts to use for your outings. Mine is now 3 year old and insulation is so good and easy to slip on babies. MEC has toasty boots too - if it is a matter of convinience for you. Some parents love their brands, but what really works is Mountain Equipment Coop winter gear or Stonz for me. Even Osh Kosh winter coat did not impress me much and that is expensive brand.

Sorry, if i blah too much, I am a winter person and I also enjoy winter sports myself. The kids in my care plus my own also are excited of our snowman in the front yard and sledding and tobogganing days.