Winter weather play

After all the excitement of the festive season, you might be feeling stuck for ideas of how to entertain your little one. That’s why each weekend in January we’re going to share ways to use your winter playkit, this weekend our ideas are all linked to the senses, and the winter weather.  

Winter weather walk 

The changing seasons provide sensory experiences for your child. They might feel the cool air on their cheeks or the icy cold of a snowflake.  

This means for all children getting them wrapped up in appropriate clothing and going outside to experience the weather is a perfect sensory experience.  

It can be easy to forget the sensory experiences that are part of daily life, especially if you’ve got used to the idea of sensory play as being something that takes lots of setting up.  

Our first idea for sensory play this weekend is to wrap up and go out for a walk, take your time and chat about the things you see.  

For babies a winter walk is probably the best way for them to experience the sensations of cold weather but older children might be interested in exploring ice at home too! 

Ice, ice baby 

Make some ice, this can be in ice cube trays, or any containers you have that will fit in your freezer.  

Get the ice out and place it in a bowl or tray (you could use a roasting tin or baking tray).  

Give your child time to touch the ice and watch how it melts.  

Ice painting 

Make some ice cubes, this time add a few drops of colouring to the water before you freeze it.  

You could pop a stick in each cube before you freeze it, then your child can hold the stick as they paint with the ice. 

Give your child the ice cubes and a piece of white paper or fabric.  

Show them how to hold the cube and run it across the paper to make lines and shapes. 

Chat with them about how the ice feels, how it melts and about the lines and marks they make as they move the ice cube.  

We hope you enjoy some wintery play this week, remember to check your activities tab for more ideas linked to the skills your child is developing now. And check your app next week for more wintery activities!