Cold Weather Adventures: Engaging Kids in Winter Yard Maintenance
Time in the great outdoors is a wonderful way to help your children build up their physical strength and burn off a bit of energy. If you're struggling to find them an appropriate project for their age, the tips below can help.
Sprinkle salt
Sprinkling de-icing salt is a terrific project for an older child. If your children have chores to attend to before they get their allowance, giving your child a heads-up that the front walk or the front stoop will need to be de-iced is a great way to get them engaged and active on the project.
It's also a great time to talk about how dark surfaces absorb heat. If the road in front of your home is asphalt and your driveway is concrete, you can point out to your children that the asphalt road clears itself of ice and snow when the sun shines on it. A company like Ace Asphalt Inc. can give you a quote on getting your own asphalt driveway!
Feed the birds
Your little ones can help you carry seed to the bird feeder. If you like to put out sunflower seeds, consider putting up a bird feeder in a spot where you can allow these striking flowers to sprout come springtime. A sand bucket from a beach playset is a simple birdseed-carrying tool.
As you walk around or beside your house, check your eaves for icicles. Icicles can be a sign of a full gutter, a poorly insulated attic, or other roof problems. These daggers can also be dangerous, so if your older children can reach them, get them off the house.
Check the trees
While you're outside, take a walk and check out your trees. If you notice any broken branches or bad splits, a company like Arbor Barber Tree Experts can help you get your trees trimmed up before spring arrives.
If you notice wasps or hornets in your yard over the summer, it's a good time to get old stumps taken out in the winter. Many of these stinging pests can be quite territorial. If wasps moved into a stump on your property last summer, they may make a home in your garage or outbuildings in the coming year.
Build a snow fort by moving snow
If snow piles up against your home, it may melt and ice up your sidewalks. Get out the play buckets and help your little ones create a snow fort with this snow while it's soft. If your children have friends in the neighborhood, create a bucket brigade across your yard! Older children can use your snow shovel or your garage dustpan.
Moving the snow away from your home so melting snow doesn't create icy sidewalks will protect those who come to your front door. Your mailman will appreciate your efforts!
Once you're outside and moving, you and your little ones will likely find fun things to do. Look for more winter yard maintenance ideas on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
