Ah, winter is coming. I work outside, and I can feel the days getting colder. After exploring the leaves and trails all fall, it’s time to prepare for snow! Now, I also live in a very temperate climate where it tends to rain more than it snows. However, last winter we had an epic snowstorm – for us. We had about 4 to 5 feet of snow on the ground at one time, and for timid West Coasters, that’s a lot.
Last winter we felt rather bogged down by the snow. We had our trusty toboggan from days gone by (specifically, from my husband’s childhood), but we didn’t have a lot of other snow toys. Here are some toys that help you revel in the snow, at least for the first few weeks!
• A fabulous sled
For my daughter, a fabulous sled is one that she can sit in for a while and be towed and one that slides well down hills without ramming wildly into snow banks. Last year we graduated from a baby sleigh into my husband’s old sled, a plastic and metal boat of a thing with sturdy sides and a nice, slippery bottom that goes quickly…but not too quickly.
• Snowman accessories
This year I’ve promised myself that I’m going to invest in a bucket of coal for snowman eyes. Honest. And I’ll keep carrots and stray mittens around. The most interesting thing we saw in snowman-land last winter was the idea of snow paint. I’d imagine that you could easily mix this up in a spray bottle. For all-natural paint, I’d go for beets, and likely a pink and purple snowman would suit my daughter just fine!
• Introductory Skis
I love cross-country skiing, and with snow all around us now that we live in the mountains, we may as well ski outside our front door. I have a pair of skis that fit with children’s winter boots, and we are going to try these this year. If you’re looking for skis that will grow with your child, become part of a trade-in program.
• Introductory Skates
There are now both double and single-bladed skates on the market. We went for the simple single-bladed skate, but for a child who is very tentative about going on the ice, a skate with two blades side-by-side will provide more balance.
• Snowshoes
Those who have preschoolers who love to hike, jump, and play in the snow might want to consider snowshoes. These are great exercise and fun to play with on short hikes in the woods.
What are your essential toys for winter fun?