10 Ways to Keep Kids Active During Winter

Don’t let kids hibernate when temperatures start to drop! Here are 10 ways to keep kids active during winter. (Obstacle course, anyone?)

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Remember our super awesome CLIF Kid Zbar review? You know, the one with the skate park and those professionally-created graphics? That post started our CLIF Kid Zbar addiction, which led to keeping a Costco-size box of the bars in our pantry at all times. They’re the perfect school snack, soccer game snack and pick-me-up at all places of play…including indoor trampoline parks.

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Things get super crazy when school is back in session. Homework, music lessons, sports, dance—it can be tricky to fit in unstructured playtime. But it’s so very, very important. Balanced and active play lays a strong foundation for a skilled, healthy, resilient, successful society.

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Sadly, play is disappearing at home, in school and in our communities. While 70% of moms played outside when they were kids, only 31% of their kids play outside today.

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When winter comes to Utah, I bet that number drops another few percentage points. Granted, we have the best snow on earth, but not all kids enjoy skiing and snowboarding. And you can only build a snowman for so long before you can’t feel your nose. But don’t despair! I’ve rounded up some great tips and tricks for keeping kids active during winter—well, winter where it drops below 50 degrees. If you’re in sunny San Diego, this doesn’t apply. And I don’t like you very much.

Kidding. I like you; I’m just really jealous.

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Ten Ways to Keep Kids Active During Winter

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Embrace the cold. I have a really hard time with this one but I’ve learned if you have the proper equipment (i.e., clothing), it can be a lot more enjoyable than you think. Make sure you have plenty of layers and a quality pair of gloves and boots and always keep little heads covered. The better protected kids are, the longer they’ll stay outside and play.

Go sledding. Skiing and snowboarding can get pricey. Sledding is a super affordable way to enjoy the snow. If you don’t have a sled, an old cookie sheet will work. No snow? Try ice blocking. Grab a few ice blocks, some towels and a grassy hill. Don’t forget the helmets!

Head to your local rec center. Many rec centers have indoor pools and some even offer seasonal memberships. There’s nothing better than walking into the rec center bundled in down jackets and 10 minutes later, splashing around in warm pool water.

Sign up for indoor sports. Those same rec centers often have ongoing indoor kids sports like volleyball and basketball. You may even find other options like karate, rock climbing and dance. I find rec centers are often more affordable and less stressful than other places.

Find a kid-friendly winter hike. If the hike is a popular one, the trail should be fairly clear even in snow. Of course, don’t venture out if a storm is in the forecast or it’s recently snowed, and make sure you still pack plenty of water and snacks (like CLIF Kid bars!).

Build a snowman (and make snow angels). This goes with embracing the cold. Even if kids are out there for only a half hour, it’s a half hour less they’re sitting in front of a screen. Add another half hour for dressing and undressing and you’ve got an hour of activity in no time!

Do a good deed. Whether your good deed is raking leaves, removing snow or baking cookies, kids can get plenty of exercise. Someone needs to run those cookies around the neighborhood. The more plates, the greater the opportunity for exercise!

Play Just Dance. This game never gets old and kids of all ages love it. There’s nothing like fun music combined with cool dance moves and a bit of competition to get bodies movin’ and groovin’!

Create an indoor obstacle course. While this may make a bit more of a mess than Just Dance, there’s a good chance it will keep kids entertained for hours. And it’s non-stop activity from start to finish—building the course, running the course, rearranging the course, running the course some more and eventually cleaning up the course (their job, not yours).

Visit your local indoor trampoline park. Indoor trampoline parks are getting pretty popular, at least here in Utah. Some places stick to trampolines and foam pits; others have stepped it up with trapezes, slack lines and ninja courses. Indoor trampoline arenas are awesome places of play because they’re not only a great workout but also easily exhaust your kids.

I have proof.
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CLIF Kid® makes nutritious snacks from organic ingredients specially-crafted for kids’ developing taste buds and active lives. Whether kids are heading to soccer practice or working their way through spelling words, CLIF Kid Zbars are perfect for growing kids (and busy parents!). They’re an appropriate portion size, are made with organic ingredients and are non-GMO, plus they have important nutrients for active kids without high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or synthetic preservatives.

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All that good stuff is why my kids and I love them so much. They really are the perfect mid-jump snack and a great excuse for the kids to make their own CLIF Kid Zbar snippet…
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If our videos left you craving more CLIF Kid fun, check out the official CLIF Kid video on YouTube. You can also visit the CLIF Kid Facebook page where you’ll find everything from how to pack for a hike to school lunch inspiration.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER. The content and opinions expressed are my own.

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Looking for more good ideas and yummy things? Try browsing my best of Is This Really My Life Pinterest board. I guarantee you’ll find quite a few!

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