While some choose to stay indoors during winter, Five Counties Children’s Centre encourages families to stay active and enjoy safe play throughout the year.
Research indicates that regular activity benefits a child’s overall wellbeing, fostering flexibility, agility, and strong bones and muscles. “Being active helps kids develop fundamental movement skills like jumping, throwing, and catching that are key for their physical development,” says Nicole Captain, an Occupational Therapist with Five Counties. “Winter may pose extra challenges to staying active, but it’s still worth the effort whatever the weather.”
Nicole says outdoor play can be healthy for kids of all abilities.
Being active also helps kids become more confident, cooperative, social, resilient, and accepting of others. “Kids learn through play, so it’s vital that they all be given the opportunity to take part in recreation opportunities,” adds Colleen Ristok, the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at Five Counties. “If we ignore or put up barriers to participation, the power of play and its benefits are lost for good.”
Colleen told us there are opportunities for kids of all abilities.
Both Captain and Ristok encourage families to embrace the season in the following ways:
Dress for Success:
Dress warmly and in layers for outdoor winter activities. Parachute Canada recommends wearing a few lighter layers for better protection and the option to remove a layer if too warm. Loose layers, such as an absorbent synthetic fabric next to the skin, a warmer middle layer, and a water-resistant outer layer, are suggested. Hats with tightly woven fibers are better for extreme cold, especially for kids under three. Children with mobility issues or other conditions may be more temperature-sensitive, requiring extra caution. If weather conditions are poor or the temperature/wind chill falls below -25 °C (-13 °F), children should stay inside to play.
Captain says that play is important year-round.
Clear the Way:
Clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways aids people using wheelchairs, strollers, and other transportation. Using a wheelchair in snow has added challenges, so take your time and be careful. Service or therapy animals can also suffer from the cold; consider a coat and boots/shoes for their feet.
Use Your Head:
Wear a proper-fitting helmet for skating, skiing, playing hockey, and tobogganing. Follow the manufacturer’s fitting instructions or refer to Parachute Canada for more tips on proper helmet use. Check that sleds or toboggans are in good condition before use. Find a hill free of hazards like ice, trees, rocks, and fences. Avoid tunnels or snow forts with roofs that could cave in and pose a suffocation risk.
Ristok told us about items you can borrow.
Happy Trails:
Trails provide a great way to experience a winter wonderland. The Ontario Trails website lists over 250 accessible trails, but it’s best to check if a specific trail is maintained over winter. Five Counties, in partnership with Pathways to Stewardship & Kinship, offers the Hippocampe chair, a specialized all-terrain wheelchair available for no-charge loan to families and schools. The chair includes multiple attachments, including skis, making it ideal for use on trails in all seasons.
Accessible Playgrounds Ontario is a website offering information, photos, and searchable locations for 300+ accessible playgrounds across the province.
Access for All:
While many people enjoy winter activities, there are also adaptive snow sports like sledge hockey and wheelchair curling that allow kids of all ages and abilities to get in the game. Five Counties has various listings available on its Community Recreation Resources webpage.
If the Weather Outside is Frightful:
Bad weather or extreme cold may keep families indoors on some days, but that doesn’t mean missing out on play. A room or basement with some open space can be a perfect place to get active. Get kids to help create a fun indoor obstacle course, like the one suggested by Grandview Kids, involving cushions, hula hoops, and empty laundry baskets to keep kids moving.
“Winter is no time to curl up and hibernate,” notes Nicole Captain, of Five Counties. “With some planning and creativity, families can warm up to being active and having fun even during the coldest months of the year.”
Written by Joseph Goden
