Babies and outside time

[sunnydays]

It seems spring has arrived and I find myself less than thrilled at the moment because suddenly I have the issue of what to do with my three 12-13 month olds during outside time. In the snow, I have one who likes to crawl around in his snowsuit and one who likes to be pulled in a sled (the third sits in the Exersaucer as he doesn't like anything else). Now that the snow is melting and it's a bit warm for snowsuits...how can I keep all these crawlers and new walkers happy outside? Especially since the other kids now want to stay out longer. Anyone found anything that works? I have more exersaucers, but they get bored quickly. I can't wait until everything dries up and they can play on the grass!

[jec]

I was in your situation last year.
I went for a lot of walks with them in their seats and they enjoyed the fresh air. Great exercise for me too
Rubber boots and a change of clothes for the park! I always asked parents to give me a couple of changes of clothing ...in case we go through the first pair!!

[Momof4]

Kanga, I'm in your shoes! I have a 14 month old and a 15 month old and neither are walking yet. I insist that all parents provide me with rainboots and splashpants all year round so that I can let the tiny children crawl around in parks and playgrounds. We spend at least 2 hours outside every morning and if they are just stuck in the stroller they aren't getting any exercise. My two little ones are being very stubborn about being outside and getting used to the texture of the soft dirty ground or something because they are not happy. We didn't even get much snow so they could practice crawling in the snow.

[Emily3]

Hi! I also have had to deal with this! All my kids started at 12 months and none were walkers. I got the parents to buy splash pants ($8 at Joe Fresh) and just let them roll and crawl around the back yard! I also put out a large picnic blanket with some small toys where they could just sit and play if they wanted. After a few days hardly anyone stayed on the blanket....too much exploring to be done!

[Crayola kiddies]

I would use splash pants and mittens and just let them crawl around or put a play pen outside .... When we went camping with our 10 month old we took a large tarp and a heavy blanket like the ones the movers use to protect furniture.... And we put the tarp down first with the blanket over top so it was soft to crawl on and it worked great .... If you could keep them on the blanket with some toys it might work but I would have them dressed in splash pants in case

[Inspired by Reggio]

I ditto the above - proper attire is a must!!

I do the tarp and blanket and also have a large deck which is a bonus as the deck is sadly larger than my playroom - but it allows me to set up some stationary ride on toys and "sit and play" stations like sensory bins or fidget toys and so forth if the grass is too wet I can "close it" and we play on deck so less running free style but I would do adult directed games to get em jumping and moving but on the deck.

[Mamma_Mia]

I thought of this the other day, if you have the room....

get the puzzle floor mats the jumbo ones and put them out on the grass if need be then surround them in a play-yard! They are outside, free to roam in that area and wont get messy.

It may take just a few min to set up each time - I wouldn't leave the foam mats out there all day.

[sunnydays]

I like the tarp and blanket idea, although I don't think they will stay there. The all have rain pants at my request...it's the footwear that is a problem. One has snowboots, but will not even attempt to walk in them. The other two are not yet walking and don't have boots or shoes, only slippers. The one who most wants to move around (the one who used to crawl around in his snowsuit) is really small with tiny feet and I think his parents are having a hard time finding anything small enough for his feet. I should start my own line of non-walking baby footwear for crawling in

[sunnydays]

That's a good idea too Mamma Mia...I may look into this...although it may be expensive to buy one of those play yards...maybe I can find a used on on Kijiji.

[Emily3]

I thought of this the other day, if you have the room....

get the puzzle floor mats the jumbo ones and put them out on the grass if need be then surround them in a play-yard! They are outside, free to roam in that area and wont get messy.

It may take just a few min to set up each time - I wouldn't leave the foam mats out there all day.

Hi! I actually have all my concrete patio stones covered with those large multi coloured foam mats and I leave them out all the time!! They get hosed when I wash the playhouse etc and have held up really well!!!!