Kids Need Outdoor Play in Winter

Colder weather often tempts us to stay cozy inside, but Dr. Tammy Lyles-Arnold, a pediatrician with Atrium Health Floyd Primary Care Family Medicine & Pediatrics in Polk County, encourages kids to keep their heart rates up by participating in at least one hour or more of physical activity per day.

While winter brings shorter days and colder temperatures, limiting outdoor activity options, parents should still try to ensure their kids have some outside time.

Sunlight Boosts Vitamin D Levels

“When we stay indoors during the winter, we are missing out on necessary vitamins, like Vitamin D, that the outdoor environment gives us,” said Lyles-Arnold.

Vitamin D is beneficial because it promotes changes in mood, energy levels and memory by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which is essential to child’s health and well-being.

In the spring, summer and early fall, 15-30 minutes outside with hands and face exposed typically gives a child the appropriate dose of Vitamin D needed per day. Because sun exposure can dramatically decrease in the winter, it is important to talk to your pediatrician about the best ways to make sure your child is getting enough Vitamin D.

Physical Activity Enhances Creativity

“Encouraging kids to play outside not only gets their blood pumping, it also stimulates the imagination and engages creativity and critical thinking,” Lyles-Arnold said.

Playing outside gives children the opportunity to engage in imaginative play, fosters exploration, and gives them access to play with and use new materials, therefore, strengthening and expanding creativity.

When to Find Indoor Alternatives 

Although playing outside in cold weather can be a safe and enjoyable experience, it’s important to be able to note signs of potential injury.

“You can tell if it is simply too cold to play outside by watching the kids,” Lyles-Arnold said. “Are they shivering? Is the color of the skin on their fingers changing? Parents and caregivers should keep an eye out for early signs of frostbite or hypothermia.”

Sometimes parents might have to be creative to find indoor alternatives to outdoor activities. Even just a quick walk can be beneficial.