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As a parent, grandmother and educator, I have spent a lot of time around young children. I haveย observed that they are blessed with active imaginations. Active, creative play helps childrenย learn about the world. We can support creative play by offering children toys and materials fromย nature and by making opportunities for them to spend time in natureโyes, even in theย wintertime!
We tend to spend more time indoors and on our devices this time of year. In the fall, I shared fiveย activities to help children avoid screen time. Some of those activities can be done any time of year, and depending onย where you live, you might also be able to jump in puddles (activity #2). But winter does presentย unique challenges.
Here are my five tips for screen-free winter fun:
1. Bundle up and get outside (unless itโs in the single digits and windy).
If you dress warm and there isnโt too much wind, cold temperatures are refreshing and healthyย for all of us, especially children. Iโve noticed that children tend to sleep better and get sick lessย when they spend time outside everyday. As a person who doesnโt like the cold, I know thatย getting yourself and your kids outside in winter isnโt easy. But itโs worth it! Another bonus ofย outdoor play is that you donโt have to lead activities–kids will find their own ways to get engagedย and have fun.
Make sure your children have adequate winter clothing, right down to their mittens and socks. Ifย your child is in day care or school, advocate for time outside everyday. Teachers and caregiversย often say that they canโt take kids outside because parents donโt dress them warm enough. As aย former teacher, I know itโs also true that we adults often donโt want to go outside ourselves! Letโsย all step up a bit so kids can spend more time outside this winter.
2. Gather simple toys from nature.

The simplest toys are great because they require the child to use their imagination and theyย donโt thwart childrenโs innate creativity. A toy that can be used for different purposes requiresย more from the player than a toy that has only one purpose. For example, with a basket ofย stones, a kid can build a wall or a road; make stone soup; count โmoneyโ; make dishes for aย playhouse party; etc. A toy spaceship, on the other hand, is just a spaceship.
Many toys from nature have the added benefit of being naturally non-toxic. Toys from nature areย also durable and interesting in their shape, form and color. Go out with your kids and gatherย things like stones, shells, pinecones, and small branches.
When you buy toys, look for onesย made from wood, wool, and cloth. Nova Natural Toys & Crafts is a great source for Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find the gnome treehouse and Playsilks pictured here on Amazon.
3. Care for birds and squirrels.
My grandchildren love sitting by the window and watching animals. Birds and squirrels are theย wildest creatures that many children get to see outside the zoo. Caring for them is a simple wayย to help kids feel a connection to nature and a responsibility for its well-being.
Here are some tips, inspired by Carol Petrashโs Earthways.
- Set up a feeding station in a place thatโs within view of your window. If youโre not on the groundย floor, consider using an external windowsill. (Maia has this window bird feeder attached to the window of her Brooklyn apartment.)
- Birds like a protected area, so a bush or tree is a great place to hang a bird feeder. Largerย container plantings will work too.ย You can buy a bird feeder or make one with your kids (see instructions at the end of this post).
- For squirrels, place nuts on the ground or on a low stump or rock. Squirrels also like corn cobs,ย apple cores, carrot tops and pumpkin seeds.
- Offer a birdbath. You can use a traditional birdbath or a large shallow pan, dish, or plant saucer.ย The birdbath should be emptied and cleaned weekly (scrub it with a brush and water–donโt useย soap).
If the birds and squirrels donโt come right away, be patient! Theyโll soon find your offerings. Maia’s boys had nearly given up on seeing birds and now they see dozens daily.
Related Post: 5 Fresh Strategies for Screen-Free Play
4. Sit and watch.
Ernest Thompson Seton, a naturalist and co-founder of the Boy Scouts of America, learned theย secrets of Mother Nature by sitting quietly and tuning into his natural surroundings. His workย inspired this โsit and watchโ activity, also known as the Seton Watch. This activity involves sittingย still for five to ten minutes, so itโs best for school-aged kids. Hereโs how to do it (from Joanneย Denneeโs Exploring the Forest With Grandfather Tree.):
- Find a comfortable place to sit outside.
- Be quiet and tune into your surroundings with all of your senses. Try to feel whatโs going onย around you.
- After five to ten minutes, Mother Nature may reveal some almost invisible, magical details ofย winter, things you might otherwise miss. Watch and listen for insects or animals; look at colorsย and silhouettes of the winter landscape; look for snow crystals or frost formations shimmering inย the sunshine; listen to and feel the wind; listen to the questions that your quiet self wants to ask.
- When you come inside, draw a picture of yourself in the winter landscape. You can also readย aloud stories from Setonโs Wild Animals I Have Known.
5. Enjoy finger games, circle games, and singing.
Children naturally love music, rhyming, and games. These activities are great ways to spendย screen-free time indoors:
- Finger games like โThe Itsy Bitsy Spiderโ delight little ones and require nothing more than theirย fingers. Finger play help kids to be more present in their bodies and helps develop their fineย motor skills, which are needed for school activities like writing. Child development shows thatย touch is one of the senses that is first explored and used.
- Circle games like โRing Around the Rosyโ and โHead and Shouldersโ are fun because theyย combine whole-body movement with song and music.
- Music and singing are so natural to children. Your kids donโt care if you have a Grammy-worthy voice; add some live music into their lives, and they will be thrilled! Maia told me she and Wolfie have been listening to The Little Mermaid soundtrack on repeat on these cold indoor days.
Want more of this Good Stuff? You can find many more ideas in books and online. Here areย some of my favorite books for wholesome activities with kids:
- Games Children Play, by Kim Payne
- Small Wonders, by Linda Garrett and Hannah Thomas
- Earthways, by Carol Petrash
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
From Earthways, by Carol Petrash
These are easy to make with kids, and the birds will love them! I made one with my grandson Theo this week.
Materials:
- Pine cones (long ones work best, but any kind will do)
- Peanut butter (or any nut butter; you can make approximately 10 pine cone bird feeders perย pound of butter)
- Popsicle or craft sticks or tongue depressors (a spoon or butter knife works too)
- Birdseed
- Cookie sheet or pie plate to hold the seed
- Heavy string, twine or yarn
Instructions:
1. Apply the nut butter to the pine cones with the craft sticks, pressing it into all the nooksย and crannies.
2. Roll the peanut butter-covered pine cones in the pan of birdseed. Gently shake off the excessย seeds.
3. Tie the string or yarn tightly around the base or top of each pine cone.
4. Hang in a tree and watch the birds come!
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