In Alberta, we’re no stranger to a short fall season. What’s the saying? Blink and you might miss it? Fortunately, we’re also no stranger to winter weather. As the temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, bundling up might be a new part of the routine, but heading outdoors all year can benefit our physical, mental, and emotional health in powerful ways. And for our kids, every season has something unique and valuable to offer when it comes to outdoor play.
Physical Health and Strength
Outdoor play encourages kids to run, jump, climb, and explore—actions that are much harder (and often louder) to replicate inside. In cooler months, outdoor play also stimulates a child’s cardiovascular system and muscles differently, building resilience against various weather conditions. Fresh air, natural light, and varied temperatures can also help them adapt to seasonal changes better, which strengthens their immune systems. A romp in the snow or brisk autumn air can be invigorating.
Sensory and Cognitive Benefits
Seasonal changes also bring a new sensory world to explore. Fall offers the sweet scent of leaves changing colour and the crunch underfoot when they’ve fallen. Winter adds chilly winds, the softer crunch of snow, and the wonder of frost-covered surfaces. These changing environments can offer a richer range of sensory experiences than the indoors and can cultivate curiosity, attention to detail, and scientific thinking.
Emotional and Social Resilience
Learning to face and embrace cold, wet, or windy days can help nurture resiliency in kids. Navigating less-than-ideal conditions fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, helping kids feel more capable and confident.
Outdoor environments often lead to more inclusive, imaginative play. In the fall, a simple pile of leaves becomes an endless source of fun, sparking games that are more collaborative and cooperative. In winter, building forts, making snowmen, or gathering friends for a game of shinny offers unique opportunities for teamwork and social bonding.
Outdoor Play in Élan
Pathways weaving throughout Parc Réunis invite you to embrace the chilly weather for a refreshing outdoor experience. Even with a dusting of snow, the playground and central tower encourages active play through climbing, swinging, and sliding. Add in the thrill of sliding down snowy hills on a toboggan or lacing up skates for the rink or skating ribbon, and you’ve got more reasons than ever to enjoy the outdoors.
