Ideas for garden play in winter
Winter can feel like a long time cooped up indoors, especially with children. However, there should be no reason children can’t play outside still. You may not always feel like going for a big adventure or a walk or to the park in the cold rainy weather, so here are some ideas to encourage children to get outdoors in the garden to play:
Winter garden play
- Puddle jumping
- Singing in the rain – with umbrellas
- Stomping in mud
- Bubbles
- Making mud pies
- Make some ice ornaments – by gathering pretty leaves, berries etc, then freezing them in water, to hang on a tree
- Ice play – my kids get very excited when there’s been a frost, it means they can go outside to find ice and experiment with it
- Bug hunt – hunt for as many bugs as you can find
- Gardening
- Races
- Running
- Jumping – long jump, high jump
- Building a den
- Chalking – pictures, letters, hopscotch, draw out a roadway to play on
- Ball games – football, catch, piggy in the middle, skittles, bat and ball, swing ball
- Hula hoop
- scooters
- Ride ons or bikes
- Bird watching
- Wash the car
- Wash outdoor toys
- Have a winter picnic – with warm soup, hot jacket potato, sausages
- Stargazing
Then of course, there’s nothing better than coming inside after some winter outdoor fun, for a lovely warm cosy hot chocolate and marshmallow!
Benefits to outdoor play
There are many benefits to getting outdoors, even throughout winter, here are just a few of them.
- Physical exercise – it is always good to get out and get moving, burn off some energy, release some tension and be healthy.
- Fresh air – is great to help reduce tension and improve health.
- Boosts the immune system
- Stimulates imagination – there are so many play opportunities outdoors, in a natural environment, nature has a lot to offer
- Fun – it’s good fun getting outside, running around, playing games, using imagination.
Getting outdoors in this cold, wet weather may not seem very inviting, but if you ensure children are wrapped up in appropriate clothing and footwear, they are more likely to enjoy it and stay there for longer.
Have a go, get outside for some fun in the garden…..you may be surprised how much you all enjoy it.
What do you like to play in the garden in winter?
A lovely list and great reminder to get outside! Boo loves doing all of those things, but I’d say her favourite is washing the car with Daddy!
Ah, yes washing the car with daddy, we need to do that again!
Great ideas as always!
Thank you x
I agree with you completely, although I prefer to get out and about if at all possible. Simply because our garden is literally a quagmire and doesn’t lend itself well to too much at this time of year! Great list to inspire
Thank you, I do prefer to get out and about too, but at times when that’s not possible I love to try to make sure the children get out in the garden at least.
A great list of ideas for some fun in the garden, I particularly like the idea of a winter picnic, star gazing and puddle splashing. Thanks for linking up and sharing your inspiration with Country Kids.
Thank you, we need to have a go at the winter picnic, not done it yet. x
We made ice handings in the week with things we’d found on our woodland walk last weekend #CountryKids
Fantastic! I bet they looked good, we still need to have a go at that
some super ideas on there honey, we must do more outside x
Thank you x
A great list of ideas although I’m not sure I would want to be washing the car in this temperature!!!!! #countrykids
Thanks x
We have been out on the bike Father Chirstmas bought almost every day in January! Getting outside is great but the little one here has got far too used to delicious hot chocolate to warm him up!
Oh dear! I don’t them with the hot chocolate though
Great list – it should be given out to all Mums and Dads! Can I add one for the list? Catch snowflakes on your tongue
Ooh, yes, that would be good when it snows
This is brilliant, it’s all too easy to put a film on or for our boys to shout loud enough for the iPad! #parentingpinitparty
Thank you, I like to encourage the kids outside for a bit at least.
Some really lovely and easy ideas for outdoor play in the garden. Thanks so much for linking up to the Outdoor Play Party!
Thank you x
Some great ideas there! It’s too easy to get cooped up inside.
Thank you, it is very easy in this weather to forget about getting out in the garden for a bit
Ooh! Love this! Think I’ll need to pin it to my fridge! Lots of fab ideas!
Thanks for linking up to #SavouringtheSeason
Thank you x
I needed some fresh ideas for winter outdoor activities – thank you. Have pinned to this board: http://www.pinterest.com/ByElsieB/things-to-do-with-kids/. My Pinterest ID is ByElsieB. Happy blogging!
Fab, thank you, I have followed you
What a brilliant list! Great reminder to get out there even when you feel like staying in the warm! Mel #LetKidsBeKids