With sunny weather upon us it is the time to plan family trips to the snow! Parents who have older kids that are independent and can engage in activities such as ski or snowboarding already have their day planned, but what about those of us who have small children and need to organize to get set to go? I have come up with a list of tips and essentials when taking your children to the snow for a smooth and fun day!
Decide on a time frame for your trip. Small children can’t really handle the cold snow vs. hot sun for a long while, so time your stay for anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
Mountain sun is just as risky as beach sun; therefore don’t underestimate its effect. Apply sun block to your children’s faces and take the tube with you to reapply is necessary.
Take 2 types of mittens with you, one pair for handling the snow and the other pair for keeping warm. Some kids tend to react negatively to touching snow so it is always better to have a backup pair.
Make sure to put on special rubber snow boots so that they can move freely without the risk of getting their feet soaked. If you don’t want to invest in these boots and plan on only 1 or 2 snow days a year, then any pair of boots in their closet will do as long as they have good grip, but this doesn’t guarantee dry feet at the end of the day.
Bring a hat with special ear flaps or one that provides coverage all around the head to keep warm and also acts as protection from the piercing sun.
A detail that is sometimes overlooked is sunglasses, bring along a pair in case your child gets bothered by too much light in their eyes.
Pack water, juice and snacks in a backpack. Staying hydrated is essential as well as frequent snacking on fruits and energy sources for your kid to stay active, energetic and in a good mood.
Although your initial instinct would be to dress your child in a sweater or multiple layers, opt for a cotton shirt only and leave the warmth to be provided by the jacket. When kids play and jump they will become hot and uncomfortable with many layers so your best bet is to keep it light and simple.
Take with you a change of clothes, shoes and socks for worst case scenarios of damp clothing or any potty related accidents that might occur due to the cold weather.
Take toys and entertainment such as a sled, accessories to decorate a snowman, or any action figures your children might enjoy playing with in the snow.
Upon your return make sure to prepare for an early bedtime because you will notice kids will be moody after a snow day, so have them in bed early for a full night’s sleep.
There is always a risk of a flu or fever caused by being tired the next day so take a quick moment to check if everything is fine or if there are any effects after the trip.
Maria Najem
Photo: outdoors.org
