It seems like yesterday that I was writing on how to keep the grandkids cool. Now, it’s already winter here in Northeast Ohio! For those of you that have not escaped to Florida for the season, we should find ways to embrace the snow and have fun outside with our grandchildren.
After bundling up as well as possible, yet allowing room to move, venture outside into the snow to play. The children love to just run and romp in the snow. Let them make snow angels and show them how to form and throw a snowball.
If possible and the conditions are right, you can help them to build a snowman. I’ve created smaller snowmen and built them on a back deck or near a window so that the kids can look at them easily from inside the house. They can decorate their snowmen with stones or acorns and find a special hat and scarf for Frosty to wear.
Bring the Outdoors In
If the weather is just too cold to venture outside, or if a child is sick and cannot join others, you can bring the snow inside to them. To absorb the melting snow, place a beach towel on top of your table. I also place a cookie sheet underneath their play area to collect the moisture. Find a large or small cupcake pan and place on top of the cookie sheet. Step outside and fill a few bowls with snow. Throw in some measuring cups and spoons, and they will love to make snow cupcakes, or even attempt to make a little snowman.
Sled riding is always a favorite winter activity. You can pull the grandkids around on their sleds on unshoveled driveways or, if you are feeling especially adventurous, you can take them for a ride around the neighborhood. They enjoy pulling each other around in the snow or taking a favorite stuffed animal or doll for a sled ride. If you have access to a small hill in your yard or nearby-great. A lot of energy will be expelled pulling the sled up and riding back down over and over again
Who Walked There?
Another great winter activity to share is a hike in the woods. Here, you can look for animals that have not hibernated this season and identify footprints in the snow. The trees are beautiful, covered with snow and ice-so very peaceful. You can take a short walk on a path through the woods to the Brecksville Nature Center and hand-feed a chickadee. On Saturdays and Sundays, they will provide the bird seed and instructions to make this a memorable experience.
After your snow adventure-come back inside and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies. Winter can be a lot of fun.
Karen Shadrach is an on-the-go, in-the-know Northeast Ohio grandmother of two sets of twins. Read her grandparenting blog at northeastohiothrive.com.
