The Forgotten Fourth Season

Reclaiming the Right to Be Outdoors [and Loving It] in the Winter

If you are a teacher and live in a location with all four seasons, you likely teach about each of them. In the Spring, you likely plant seeds and collect dandelions and observe buds, blossoms and the return of the birds and bees with your students. In the Summer, you probably splash outside in water play, perhaps plant a garden and grow interesting vegetables and flowers for the students to observe and harvest. In the Autumn, you probably play with pumpkins and gourds, maybe you pick apples. You collect colorful leaves and observe them falling off of trees. And in the Winter? You read favorite books about hibernation and animal behavior and whimsical snowmen. You close up shop when it's too snowy or icy, you keep the kids indoors when it is too cold (often even mandated by state regulations). 

I have lived and and taught in five states. I am currently residing in Virginia, the most southern location I've ever lived in, but even here we have four seasons. And even here, it is a struggle sometimes to get out and about in the Winter. Whereas last year around this time, I was realizing my own folly and revamping our playgarden and my own internal dialogue to get back outside and back to nature, this year I am itching to be out there, embracing the time I am and reclaiming my right to be outdoors (and loving it) in Winter! 

The Pathology of Winter : So how did Winter become a forgotten fourth season anyway? Obviously, there are some naturally occurring elements that do create genuine barriers to getting outdoors as long and frequently as we might in other seasons. It's cold. It is sometimes snowy or icy. It gets dark very early. And there seems to even be a pathology around winter at this point. I want to clarify immediately that I am not discounting the validity of seasonal affective disorder or the impact it has on mental health. Indeed, I'd even say that as a teen in particular I really struggled with more depressive moods in the winter months. And there is also an industry around it. Prescription and over the counter treatments, natural and home remedies, products and practices to help combat the winter blues. 

And none of those involve getting back outside and breathing in the fresh air. Which, in my personal battle, was the very essence of what I was so greatly missing during those dark, cold, snowy months. I wanted to be outside. In fact, when I think back to it, as a child I still was. I was sledding down hills wherever I could find them. I was skating across the iced over driveway. I was discovering animal tracks in the snow. I was finding melted spots of slush and snow and mixing up some mud soup in my own backyard. But at some point, somewhere along the lines of growing taller (or at least older in my case) I intuited that this was child's play and retreated to an indoor existence for the better portion of 4 months each year. No wonder I was depressed. 

Think back and remember a time you were outside in the Winter as a child. What do you recall? Maybe it's a sledding memory or making snow angels or building a fort. Maybe it's the feeling of warmth when you came inside and shed those wet mittens and ice filled boots and were handing a cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows. Maybe it's wearing your pajamas backwards to bed the night before a predicted storm and dancing in joy at 4am when the flashing lights and beeping of the plows going by told you that your little PJ trick had worked--even before it was officially called an hour later. And now, I invite you to join me. To put your jammies on backwards tonight if you want to, because even if it doesn't snow, we're going to get back outside and we're going to play and we're going to love it!

It's not dead, it's dormant. I think that the first step in overcoming barriers to being outdoors in this season is to acknowledge that Winter has its merit. There is an absence of growth and warmth and even sunshine, but it's not dead--it's dormant. There's a difference. And the signs of life are abundant. It was actually my own little guys who really reminded me of that these past few weeks. S, on a nature walk around a local pond, observed the ground from a crouched position as he imagined himself as an animal scavenging for winter. He popped up from this position only long enough to gleefully shout in wonder about the curiosity of the missing seeds from opened seedpods and empty acorn shells. "Mommy, I think a squirrel was here!" Life. In Winter. It's abundant. You don't have to see the air to know it's there--you see the wind rustle leaves on the trees and you feel it blow against your cheeks. And you don't have to see Nutkins Grey Squirrel to know he was nibbling on seedpods and acorns. You can feel that he was there.

Later in the week, I took Y to a nearby park and playground. He wanted to walk through the Pollinators Garden. The empty, barren Pollinators Garden. What could he possibly want to do there in the Winter when nothing is growing? He wanted to hop across stepping stones and roar at passing dogs (sorry about that!) and he wanted to touch the flowers. The dried up, bristly and prickly flowers. The same ones that are bright and blooming and beautiful in the summer, swarming with happy bees and butterflies--even the occasional hummingbird, are now the ones that draw in the attention of my little Y and his curious hands. He loved the texture of the dried up flower heads. He loved being the same height as the long, brown stems. And what's more? He didn't have to share. This time of year, there's no competition for getting the attention of a flower in the Pollinator's Garden.

I often wonder how anyone who has toiled over an
intentionally planted garden cannot
 also be completely amazed by a weed! 

Overcoming Barriers to Being Outdoors in Winter

If you're up for a challenge, I'd like to invite you to join me in my daily quest (and struggle) to overcome barriers to being outdoors in Winter. I want you to set an intention today--a realistic one. I don't recommend your first goal be to get outside every day no matter what and love it. But perhaps, you'll plan for one day--to get outside, to set your watch, even, for a short amount of time. And with a few tips and tricks of the trade--you might even like it...

Here's a list of common barriers to being outdoors this time of year and a subsequent suggestion or two on overcoming them:

The Barriers:

• The children won't like it.
• The children will be cold and uncomfortable.
• I won't like it; I will be cold and uncomfortable.
• I'll start with a little myth-buster. Most children do like to be outside in Winter. And with adequate preparation, all children (and adults) can enjoy being outside and be comfortable. A lot of that involves adequate outerwear. Having enough clothing to keep warm (but not too much so as to overheat) is important. I suggest dressing in layers. I also suggest having a backpack, tote or basket ready to go with you with extra layers and mittens/hats, etc. for those occasions when items get wet or you need to add warmth. I also suggest having a space to set shed items when you get too warm! Having a towel handy can help dry off wet surfaces (this is something I tow along year round). And meeting everyone's comfort needs both before you head out (toileting, food/water, adequate rest, etc.) and in tow for while you are out (packing along snacks and maybe even some cocoa, tissues or handkerchiefs for runny noses, etc.) can go a long way in making your outdoor time more enjoyable for everyone. 
• I also want to stress the importance of including yourself in this process of preparation! You also need to be comfortable and warm and have adequate clothing. And perhaps a travel mug of coffee or cocoa to enhance your own enjoyment. Preparing in advance and having things packed and ready to go in a way that is easy for you to access and carry can help eliminate stress and struggle in getting out the door.

If Marie Kondo feels that 30 books
is an adequate collection for a home, she may
be equally unimpressed with
the size of our stick collection...but
each and every one sparks joy.

• There's nothing to do outside in Winter.
• This struggle is commonly felt in locations like mine where it may be very cold out but not snowy. Snow provides a natural play medium. Even ice chunks become playground currency when rainwater freezes over in buckets and pales left behind. But what about those in between days? Well, first off--you don't need subzero temps outside to play with ice. Most locations are equipped with an indoor space perfect for gathering goods--your freezer! So fill and freeze some containers of interesting shapes and sizes and take it out with you. Sure, what's in our outdoor spaces might be different in this season, but what can you bring to make it more enjoyable? 
• If you happen to have access to water and dirt, you're pretty guaranteed to have a good time--mud kitchens can be fun year round. And the additional excitement of watching how temperature affects their culinary concoctions can enhance children's sense of joy and wonder. 
• On those polar vortex days, I don't recommend staying out for long. But I do recommend testing out what happens when you blow bubbles--especially with added sugar to the solution. You might be amazed! Or bringing out hot water and pouring it on the ground. What do you observe? On a snowy day, can you catch a snowflake on black construction paper? Can you use a white crayon or colored pencil and draw your own?
• Bring some treats for the birds. Hanging a feeder, bird seed treats or keeping a bird bath filled with fresh water daily (although they now manufacture heated bird baths if you're feeling super fancy and have the funds for one). You'll be able to observe some feathered visitors to your outdoor space. Take along some binoculars (homemade ones from toilet paper tubes work just as well for little ones) and go birdwatching. Carry along a bird guide and a nature journal along with some colored pencils and you can capture and record your findings. This activity can also be done indoors as you warm up with some cocoa and watch from the kitchen window.
• Bring what brings you joy! The point is not what you bring with you to your outdoor space and time, but rather that it is something you enjoy. Perhaps it's a sketch book and some drawing materials. Perhaps it's watercolor paints and brushes to paint the snow. Maybe a small tin of clay is the perfect take-along for capturing prints of pine cones and seed pods or creating a winter sculpture with nature's loose parts. 
• Set up your space to be one that welcomes you and your little ones this winter. If you are a teacher, this might involve having a space to do a Circle Time outdoors (rescued and recycled tree stumps make amazing little seats). If you are a play at home mom or dad, it might mean getting creative about what you can set up and leave in your garden to be available and accessible year round. It might also be worth thinking about what types of plants to add to your garden in the future so that there are things left to observe in growth during the winter months (although a dormant pollinators garden has benefits both for the winged and un-winged visitors). And just like we rotate our indoor setups, so, too do we need to rotate our outdoor ones. Jugs of bubbles and waterplay toys might be stored away this season. But while our squash and peas aren't climbing up a folding metal A-frame, it's the perfect prop for a makeshift tee-pee and weaving bits of yarn and string!
• Getting everyone in outerwear and out the door is like herding cats.
• Alright, guys, this one is no myth. It's true. Dressing everyone to get outside takes FOREVER. So my suggestion here is to breathe deep and move through it. It's a slower pace, for sure, but if you can see it as part of the process rather than a means to get there, it can help at least improve your mood about it. It can also be helpful to only partially dress indoors and take along the rest. Lastly, if you are a teacher or a parent planning outdoor time into your daily routine, it might be better this time of year to plan your daily routine into your outdoor time. Instead of having a story on the rug and an activity before you go out, use that time to dress everyone (pop on some music, make it fun) and take your story and activity outside! Bam! Two birds, one stone.

• It's too cold/icy/snowy/dark.
• This is another one of those go with it and not against it situations. You might not spend as long outdoors in the Winter months as you do the rest of the year, but see it as quality and not quantity. Perhaps view your time outside more as outdoor snacks than outdoor meals. A short but meaningful burst of time outside can make all the difference in everyone's mood and energy level. Even if that means all you did was park as far away from Trader Joe's as possible and jump in every single puddle on your way to the front doors. (waterproof boots might be a good item to wear for this one)
• It's not safe to go outside in Winter.
• Winter weather makes people sick.
• Mythbusting time! There are climatic factors that we must take into consideration in being outside with little ones this time of year. Ice and snow and cold temperatures require adequate clothing and gear. Safety is important! It might take more time to get across an icy path safely with young children and that's an important thing to factor in. Children also are less likely to be aware of being very cold and wet when they are very engaged in play. Keep and eye on everyone to make sure no one is getting too cold or too warm for that matter. BUT, it does not make people sick to be outdoors. On the contrary, many of the bugs and germs we pick up in winter are more likely to be spread on surfaces and in the air inside. Fresh air is healthy. Be prepared, be reasonable, come in when it's time and warm up/thaw out. But don't be a bear and hibernate this winter! Get out, get active and have fun!

There are surely more ideas you have on enjoyable outdoor activities this winter and I'd love to hear them. I'd also love to dive into some more problem solving with barriers and challenges you might be facing when it comes to getting out there. Feel free to comment below or connect with me personally! I'm off to set up some tabletop easels outside for my boys this afternoon so we can watercolor paint the way that winter makes us feel. I'll be back soon and until then...

Happy Playing!