I made myself a snow ball as perfect as could be.
I thought I’d keep it as a pet and let it sleep with me.
I made it some pajamas and a pillow for it’s head.
Then, last night it ran away.
But first — it wet the bed.
It’s winter play time here in the United States, which means it’s time to bundle up those kids and head outside to play! Fresh air and natural light are important year round to help maintain our health and happiness. Just use your common sense and dress appropriately.
Have snow where you are? Watch this short video featuring some fun snow day activity ideas.
No snow? No problem!
Why not help the kids build a fort out of sticks and logs? You can use an old tarp or sheet to help keep out the wind and warm up a bit. Put some hot chocolate or cider in a thermos and tell stories in the new fort, or let the kids play on their own. The fort will inspire all sorts of creative and dramatic play.
Need a few indoor play ideas to help beat cabin fever this year?
Why not…
Break out the fingerpaints! Do your kids not like the feeling of the paint? Try warming it up a bit or letting them use pieces of sponge to paint with.
Set up a bowling alley! Use empty 2 liter bottle for the pins and a beach ball, foam ball or even a rolled-up towel for the bowling ball. You can put beans or pennies in some of the pins to make them harder to knock down.
Start planning your spring garden. Let the kids cut up old seed and gardening catalogs or simply draw their ‘Dream garden’. To extend the fun, read the great book, Plantzilla, together.
Get creative this winter. Don’t just turn on the TV or play video games – really play together as a family. Laugh, have fun and make some memories!
What are some ways that your family likes to play together during the winter months?
The great folks at SC Johnson Shout and I wish you the happiest of holiday seasons – filled with play, laughter and time with the ones you love. For more ideas on winter fun activities, visit http://www.facebook.com/shoutlaundry.
See ya outside! ~ The Grass Stain Guru
Disclosure: The Grass Stain Guru is a proud partner of Shout and is quite happy to share the sandbox with them! I am excited to be the spokesperson of Shout’s Go Play campaign, dedicated to promoting play as a vital part of a healthy, happy childhood.
It’s the dreaming season, the season to imagine a spring, summer and fall full of nature, gardening, exploring, playing outdoors, and getting grass stains.
For nature’s critters winter is a time for survival, but for us it’s the season of imagination, hope, creativity, and planning. A time to regroup, clear away the old, and bring in the new; a time to gain new knowledge to take out into the woods, fields, and open spaces of our gardens, neighborhoods, and communities.
So, what are you learning and planning? How about:
designing a garden bed of herbs and edible flowers
learning about vegetable gardening and ordering seeds
choosing a few native shrubs to attract and feed wild birds in your garden
picking a composting method to use when spring comes
finding an outdoor-friendly preschool or summer camp for your children
planning an outdoor nature group for kids
researching a camping trip for your family vacation
The dreaming season is a wonderful time. It doesn’t matter what you are planning, just be sure to get dreaming about what you’ll do outdoors. Make a plan to do it!
photo credit: lancefisher
photo credit: lancefisher
Guest Blogger Bio: Alison Kerr is a writer who is passionate about the Earth, nature, gardening, good food, and her family. You can read Alison’s 
