How long is your outside time in winter?

[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.