It may be cold outside, but it’s just as important for children to get physical activity during the winter as it is during the warmer months. Physical activity should be a healthy part of your family’s routine throughout the year. And safety should always be a central part of your children’s recreational fun.

Fun in the Winter Sun

It’s true that many safety concerns are the same regardless of season. For example, parents still need to remember sunscreen. Even though it might seem odd, you can get sunburn in the winter. The sunlight reflects off snow and ice.

• Choose a sunscreen made for children with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. (Check the label.) Apply the protection 15 to 30 minutes before going out. They need to be reapplied every one and a half to two hours, particularly if your child spends a lot of time outside. Consult the instructions on the bottle. 
• You should also wear protective eyewear and an SPF lip balm.  

Safety in Layers

When thinking about outside activity, think about clothing, too. Layering is a good idea; so are moisture-wicking fabrics and clothing that’s geared to the sport. Keep in mind that regulating body temperature is more difficult in younger children (just as it is during warm weather), so hypothermia can occur more easily. For example, kids can sweat when they’re warm and, as they remove layers, that sweat can chill them quickly when it gets exposed to the cold air. 

Parents have to be really proactive and responsible about dressing children appropriately in layers, covering their heads and necks.

Watch out for fashion trends that could land you in the ER:

• Long scarves and cords can get caught in sled blades.
• Hoods can block peripheral vision.

Stay Alert

Injuries can happen anywhere, anytime. Be aware and use caution.

• Children should always wear helmets while sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and playing ice hockey. 
• Parents should also make sure that the hill your children are sledding down doesn’t empty onto a pond that might not be frozen solid. 
• Don’t load up the sled with multiple riders; take turns. "Reckless play," or actively trying to crash into each other or knock people off, is obviously a setup for injury.   

Equipment Check

If you’re planning a skiing or snowboarding trip:

• Have the equipment fitted by a professional.
• A child in too-large boots can trip and fall.
• A child in skis that aren’t the right size can fall, too.
• Wrist fractures, commonplace in snowboarding, can be prevented by simply using wrist guards.

Safety is key in ice hockey or sports involving equipment. No one wants to buy new skates every year, but it may be necessary as your child grows.

Used equipment is fine, but check it out before you buy it:

• Look at the laces.
• Look for broken blades.
• Make sure the leather on hockey and ice skates isn’t too broken down around the ankles.
• If you need a mouth guard, wear one.

You have to check all equipment, new and old, to see that it fits. You need to check it to make sure it’s still safe or not broken. If it gets used a lot, it may not hold up. Make sure helmets and boots are sized correctly. Make sure the equipment is in good shape. If you’re concerned, ask a sales person at a ski shop.     

Skills Assessment

If it’s a new activity, work with your child to master the skill first. For example, play it safe by starting with a snowboarding lesson before you all hit the slopes.

It’s recommended, appropriate and safe, to start slow or on a more gentle slope. Practice with your equipment and gradually build up to a steeper slope or faster speed. Be patient and resist pressure to take on more than you’re ready for.

By taking a few precautions, you can make sure that your children get the healthy benefits ts of winter exercise without taking unnecessary risks.

Last Updated 12/6/2012

Source Adapted from Healthy Children Magazine, Winter 2008

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

The following New Year tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Preschoolers

• I will clean up my toys and put them where they belong.
• I will brush my teeth twice a day, and wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before eating.
• I won’t tease dogs or other pets – even friendly ones. I will avoid being bitten by keeping my fingers and face away from their mouths.

Kids, 5- to 12-years-old

• I will drink reduced-fat milk and water every day, and drink soda and fruit drinks only on special occasions. 
• I will apply sunscreen before I go outdoors on bright sunny days. I will try to stay in the shade whenever possible and wear a hat and sunglasses, especially when I’m playing sports.
• I will try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like playing tag, jumping rope, dancing or riding my bike) that I like and do it at least three times a week!
• I will always wear a helmet when bicycling.
• I will wear my seat belt every time I get in a car. I’ll sit in the back seat and use a booster seat until I am tall enough to use a lap/shoulder seat belt.
• I’ll be nice to other kids. I’ll be friendly to kids who need friends – like someone who is shy, or is new to my school.
• I’ll never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number on the Internet. Also, I’ll never send a picture of myself to someone I chat with on the computer without my parent’s permission.

Kids, 13-years-old and up

• I will try to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables every day, and I will drink sodas only on special occasions. 
• I will take care of my body through physical activity and nutrition.
• I will choose non-violent television shows and video games, and I will spend only one to two hours each day – at the most – on these activities.
• I will help out in my community – through volunteering, working with community groups or by joining a group that helps people in need.
• When I feel angry or stressed out, I will take a break and find constructive ways to deal with the stress, such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or discussing my problem with a parent or friend.
• When faced with a difficult decision, I will talk about my choices with an adult whom I can trust.
• When I notice my friends are struggling or engaging in risky behaviors, I will talk with a trusted adult and attempt to find a way that I can help them.
• I will be careful about whom I choose to date, and always treat the other person with respect and without coercion or violence. I will expect the same good behavior in return.
• I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.
• I agree not to use a cell phone or text message while driving and to always use a seat belt.

From He