It’s finally snowing here in Bend, and the excitement in our household is palpable! Having just come inside after a few hours of snowy play, I’m getting ready for another round after replenishing with hot cocoa and cookies. After enduring a few weeks of unusually warm temperatures and a scarcity of snow in town, with barely enough to ski on, we were honestly feeling a bit disheartened.
With the recent snowfall comes a bit more planning, especially when you have little ones in tow. As I prepare for our next couple of days filled with snowy adventures, I wanted to share a few tips that might help other families navigating the same snowy escapades.
1.Turn up Your Patience Knob: Dressing for the cold, getting everyone out the door, and reaching your snowy destination all take a bit longer, especially with kids. Set yourself up for success by getting up a little earlier, laying out clothes the night before, preparing breakfast, and having a snack pack ready. Patience is key, especially for the first few outings. Everyone is doing their best. And an extra little tip that I learned from the “Hunter Gather Parent Book” - make up a fun monster that comes out and nibbles their toes or takes all of their socks it they don’t get dressed in time. Our monster is the “Winter Monster.” It works on both my 6 and 4 year old, they both get a thrill when we talk about him!
2. Pack Extra Essentials: Carry an extra set (or two) of gloves, wool socks, an extra buff, and emergency hand warmers. Kids love to dive into the snow, and changing into dry, warm layers can make a significant difference in keeping them happy during extended outdoor play.
3. Bring on the Treats: Embrace the joy of winter outings by packing chocolate, cookies, hot cocoa, and special trail mix. While nourishing food is essential, indulging in treats adds a delightful touch to your snowy adventures. It’s a tradition that brings warmth and fond memories.
4. Embrace Winter Close to Home: You don’t have to venture far to appreciate the beauty of winter. For the first storm and the subsequent days, we usually skip the crowds and instead explore our immediate surroundings. Engage your senses, listen to the crunch of snow underfoot, feel the refreshing cold on your faces, and watch the lights dance off snowy trees at night. Even a short exploration or building a snow fort close to home can be fulfilling and stress free for both kids and parents.
5.Invest in Quality Gear: Good, durable gear for kids makes a significant difference, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Brands like Patagonia, with their commitment to quality and eco-conscious practices, are currently offering significant discounts that I am really excited about! Mountain Warehouse is another excellent option, providing affordable, durable, and high-quality gear for kids. And – check out my earlier article from October (when I thought winter was around the corner!) for a comprehensive list of recommended gear that stands the test of time. Below is a few more that were not mentioned because we had not tested them enough.
Patagonia: 40% off Right now!
Like I mentioned above, Patagonia is always on the top of my list as far as quality, durability and eco conscious – however it is sometimes hard to swallow the cost. That is why I have loved their worn wear program, especially with my two growing boys The amount of clothes that end up in the landfill is outstanding so anything we can do to help there be less is helping our planet. Besides, reusing feels so great! Trading in my kids clothes has never been so easy.
Mountain Warehouse: 5$ – 30$
This company is awesome for kid gear (and adult gear too!), it is cheap, durable and great quality! My boys have been testing their merino wool base layers, fleece hoodies and fleece leggings and we have all been blown away by the quality.
For everything else, again please see my list/ article from October, all of it is still in use and gets used everyday!!
Remember, winter is a magical time, and with a bit of preparation, you can create lasting memories with your family in the snowy wonderland. Enjoy every snowy moment!