Fun Winter Activities for Kids and Families

During the winter months, most people stay indoors and don’t find anything interesting to do. Cold weather and short days can lead to unhealthy habits such as overeating, spending too much time on the Internet, or sleeping too much.

But winter offers an opportunity to experience nature in a completely different way. There are fewer people outside, and it’s quieter. We can see more of the landscape without the cover of foliage. We can also spot wildlife hiding in the foliage during summer.

You don’t need to entertain your child throughout the winter. It may help to create a list of “fun things to do in the winter.” Then, when your kids complain of boredom or you find they are spending too much time on electronics, suggest some things from the list for them to do.

Benefits of Staying Outdoors

Better Creative Thinking

If we need creativity, our best bet is to get out for a walk.

Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that walking helped promote creative thinking in 81% of study participants. Walking outdoors creates more creativity than walking on an indoor treadmill.

More Vitamin D

When we go outside and are exposed to sunlight, we can increase our production of vitamin D. Harvard Health reports that vitamin D is an essential element that can fight various diseases such as heart disease, cancer and depression. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, so we don’t get enough sunlight exposure. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of teens and adults in the U.S. are deficient in vitamin D.

The good news is that you don’t need much sunlight to get your daily dose - 10 to 15 minutes is all it takes!

Positive Health Effects

A child’s skin regulates body temperature by constricting capillaries when exposed to cold air, thereby reducing blood flow, and expanding capillaries when exposed to warm air, increasing blood flow. The nasal mucosa and other organs also undergo the same adaptation process. After frequent stimulation, children can naturally adapt to temperature changes. The organs become functionally strong, thus increasing the child’s ability to resist cold and disease.

Tips for Your Home Health in Winter

Door Mats

Since 85% of contaminants are tracked in from the outdoors, a door mat becomes important for reasons beyond not wanting dirt and mud tracked throughout your home. Place a mat outside each entrance to your home.

Exercise

Unless you are a bear, put the idea of hibernation out of your mind. Regular exercise translates into good health year-round and up to 40% fewer sick days. A brisk walk several times per week will do the trick.

Healthy Eating

Months filled with social events often correspond to spikes in cold and flu outbreaks. Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet throughout the holiday season will boost your immune system to fend off illness so you don t miss any of the holiday fun.

Indoor Plants

Houseplants are scientifically proven to eliminate carbon dioxide and ozone from indoor air. In fact, certain house plants, like aloe, also filter fumes from cleaning products such as ammonia and benzene.

Regular Cleaning

Because carpet acts as an air filter. it can absorb as much as eight times its weight in dirt and dust. Vacuuming helps, but a professional cleaning is needed to get down to the base of the carpets. Have your carpets deep cleaned 2-3 times a year by a service that uses a safe and non-toxic solution, and vacuum regularly between visits to help keep your home clean and your family healthy.

Hydration

Did you know your body needs adequate hydration to keep itself warm? This winter, instead of cranking up the heat - which can actually lead to dehydration - try drinking more water to stay hydrated. Not only will you feel better, but you may even lower your heating bills.