*Guest Post* Year-Round Playgroups

I have a special spot in my heart for todays guest, Lia from Skedaddle.  Having grown up in Alaska myself and often wistful for the winter snow and skiing, her blog helps me live a little vicariously closer to home through her Year-Round Playgroup.  As always, please feel free to leave her comments (and make sure you check out her bio at the end!) 

I could not imagine starting an outdoor playgroup in Arizona.  How would you manage through the summer?  Is it safe for kids to play outside when it 80 degrees?   I wouldn’t even begin to know how to dress them - should they wear long sleeves to keep off the sun or would they overheat?  If you live in a warm climate, you might think I am a naive homebody who never lets my children run barefoot in the grass.

I live in Alaska with my sons and run an outdoor playgroup that meets year round.  I am a pro at getting my children into rain suits, I always carry winter hats in the summer and can be out the door to play in -20 degrees within 20 minutes (most of the time).

Getting people to attend an all weather playgroup in this climate might seem like an insurmountable task, but it was amazingly simple.  I just asked people and word spread.  Veteran Alaskans understand the benefits of getting out (rather than holding up the white flag and giving into cabin fever) and seem enjoy the outdoors no matter the temperature.  Those new to Alaska realize the need for a set time to force themselves outside and learn the secrets of success from seasoned pros.  Our larger group, Alaskan Outdoor Family Network, has over 300 members who all want to get their children outside all year long.

 

Families moving to Alaska from out of state need some reassurance that it is indeed all right to play outside when it is pouring rain, below zero or a full on blizzard.  I tell them to invest in good boots and good mittens and visit a second hand store for the rest.  You can layer clothes for your core, but when fingers and toes get cold children are done.

Most seasoned Alaskans buy the hand and toe warmers from Costco when the hit the shelves.  I always keep a few in my diaper bag and can most likely find one or two in my coat pockets.  These are great to stick into mittens or let a child with frosty fingers hold one in the car ride home.  Another mother put a few around a bottle of milk to warm it up for a baby! 

I also suggest brining a thermos of hot water.  It seems hot liquids can brighten the mood of a chilly child.  I also have a paranoia of a child getting a tongue stuck to a metal pole on the playground.  A splash of warm water frees the tongue quite easily, for your information!

I try to set my winter events at sledding hills if possible.  This activity is easily accessible and familiar to families.  The walking involved keeps families warm and most children like zooming down a hill.  An added bonus I found was that most sledding hills have treed areas that encourage children to play!

I was born and raised in Alaska, but still haven’t become a winter pro with children.  I know how to dress in layers and avoid cotton, but my children still get cold feet and cry sometimes when it is cold.  We might spend a half hour getting ready and only stay out for ten minutes.  Overall, my children are getting better about getting on their layers and more used to being outside when it is cold.

I would love to visit a playgroup in a warm climate and get tips from the “hot” pros.  I want to learn games for super hot days when you can get wet without danger of hypothermia and how to play at playground on sunny days (don’t the metal slides and swings get really hot?).  Maybe I could arrange a playgroup exchange with a leader in Hawaii next December to learn trade secrets!  Just email me...

Lia Keller was born and raised in Alaska and can’t imagine a better place to raise her two, wild boys.  She did leave Alaska for a few years, but is back and not ever leaving (except for a possible vacation).  She has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, but would rather be a photographer for National Geographic if the spot opened.  She enjoys cross country skiing, fishing, knitting, hiking, photography, cooking and eating chocolate (not necessarily in that order).  You can find Lia at her Alaska Playgroup Blog, Skedaddle.