I was gifted some items from adidas for the purposes of this post. All words are my own.
We love family days out and try to spend time outdoors together all year round. Everyone loves going out in the summer when there are plenty of daylight hours and the weather is (usually) more amenable. But you really shouldn’t overlook the winter months. Days out with kids might take a little more planning, but they can be just as enjoyable.
There are a few things to take into consideration, so here are my top tips for enjoying days out all year round.
The Right Kit
Needless to say, my first tip is to get the right kit. There are a few staples that make family days out more enjoyable at any time, but are invaluable in the winter months. Firstly, a practical backpack is a must. We have a great one from adidas that is big enough for a family day out, but is smart enough to use as a day to day work bag.
Another gem is our Pacmat picnic rug. You’ve probably seen it in many of my photos, it’s great for camping but really comes into its own when the ground is wet and we need to sit down.
What to Wear
Cold children get very grumpy very quickly, so make sure everyone is wrapped up well. A warm and cosy tracksuit with a couple of layers underneath is ideal and really practical for an active day out. Also, pay particular attention to the extremities, so hats, gloves and thick socks (or two pairs of thin socks) will help to keep everyone warm and comfortable.
Waterproofs are most definitely needed in the UK climate, I tend to go for a light waterproof jacket and layer up underneath.
Waterproof footwear is an absolute must in the winter-if you’ve ever been for a walk through wet grass in trainers you’ll know what I mean. Sturdy walking boots or outdoor shoes offer much more protection and will keep your feet dry all day.
Mud, Mud Glorious Mud
One of the big drawbacks of winter days out with kids is dealing with the inevitable mud. Wellies and puddlesuits are a godsend for younger children, while I often use waterproof trousers for my boys. This helps to keep them dry and, even if it’s not raining, it helps keep some of the mud off.
These can then be stripped off before getting in the car to go home. Remember plenty of plastic bags to put muddy shoes and coats in and to cover the wheels of your pushchair if you use one (shower caps work well here too).
Warm Up From The Inside
One thing we like to do is take warm food and drinks out with us on winter family days out. This is a great motivating factor and is a bit more exciting than your usual picnic fare, which let’s face it, isn’t all that inviting on a cold day. A flask of hot soup, hotdogs in a flask of hot water or sometimes we even take our stove with us for something a bit different. I find that this helps to make lunch a bit more interesting and helps to cheer everyone up if spirits are starting to flag.
What are your top tips for winter days out with kids?
