Winter Activities
It can be difficult to find things to do in the winter to keep your child entertained. It’s often cold and snowy outside which makes it hard to get out! But even in the winter it’s important for you and your child to stay active, whether you stay inside or head out. To help you, we’ve come up with a list of activities that you can do during the cold winter months.
Playing in the snow
Bundling up and playing with your child in the snow is a great form of exercise and a great way to spend time together. Build a snow fort! Make snow angels! Even just walking in the snow is a good way to wake those muscles up!
Sledding
Pulling your child on a sled is a good form of exercise for you and provides some good vestibular input and core strengthening for your child. If they’re strong enough to sit up without assistance, helping them sled down a small hill, or sitting behind them and sledding with them can also be fun. Be sure to stay safe by only sledding in areas where it is permitted and by wearing a helmet when possible!
Outdoor snowball fight
Throwing snowballs at each other or throwing snowballs at an object or target is good for building arm and core strength.
Indoor snowball fight
If there’s no snow or if going outside is not an option for your family, you can still have a snowball fight indoors! Use something soft and light like balled up socks or crumpled up paper. You can throw them at each other or throw them at an object or target.
Indoor snow play
If there’s snow outside but you’re not able to take your child outside, bring the snow to them! Fill up a small-to-medium sized plastic container with snow and bring it in for them to play with! Let them feel the cold with their hands! This could also be a great time to work on sitting balance while they’re playing with the snow. Help them sit up with their feet supported, encourage them to sit as independently as possible!
Build a fort
Building a fort is a classic indoor winter activity. If your child is able to, have them help move pillows and blankets to your designated fort area. Moving and lifting the pillows and blankets is a good general body strengthening exercise. Depending on the size of your fort, getting into the fort by crawling is also a good general strengthening activity.
Outdoor recreation
There are a few companies in Utah that offer ways to allow your child to participate in outdoor adaptive winter activities like snowboarding, skiing, winter biking, and snowshoeing. If this is something that you are interested in, check out these websites:
National Ability Center: https://discovernac.org/
Splore: http://www.splore.org/
Wasatch Adaptive Sports: https://wasatchadaptivesports.org/
