It’s easy to say that we’ll get out and be active, but doing so with a baby or young children can be harder when the parks, splash pads and beaches are no longer a sunny, warm option. Luckily, Ottawa still has a lot to offer families in the off-season; getting out and enjoying them just means being prepared for the weather.
In the cooler fall:
- dress everyone in layers for temperature fluctuations during the day
- in addition to the regular diapers, snacks and water, throw a few extra items in a backpack or diaper bag, including:
- a light hat that covers the ears and thin mitts for little ones
- splash pants or a rain suit
- rain boots
- A change of clothes, including an extra pair of socks for wet little feet
- a towel for an unexpected wet child or for drying a wet swing or slide
- Invest in a pair of rain boots and raincoat for yourself, too, there are only so many years to jump in puddles alongside your little one.
Family friendly fall activities in Ottawa include:
- farmer’s markets
- picking apples at an orchard
- hiking in Gatineau Park or Ottawa’s many walking trails
- Carleton University’s Annual Butterfly Show
- visiting a pumpkin patch
- celebrating fall at one of the local farms
- local fall fairs
When winter arrives
Choose milder days for your outdoor adventures and plan for them to be shorter than a warm weather excursion would be. Because many strollers have a difficult time in the snow and it can be difficult for little ones who are new to walking to navigate through the snow, consider using a carrier.
For little babies, try a stretchy wrap-style carrier under a larger coat or a maternity coat, leaving it open at the top so baby can breathe. The heat from your body and coat will mean that baby will likely only need regular clothes with warm booties, mitts and a hat. As with any time you wear your baby, you need to ensure that baby is warm but not overheating and that baby can breathe easily.
For older babies, a soft structure carrier or woven wrap works well over your winter coat. The key is to have a good fit over your coat, with your child held close to your body. Your child will need a snowsuit, boots, a hat and mitts and maybe a blanket placed on top of the carrier, over his/her back to keep the warmth in-between the two of you.
If your little one loves to stand but is too little to keep up, a hiking carrier can make things much easier. Whatever carrier you choose, it should work with your centre of balance. Make sure that you have a good pair of boots with tread to help you on the snow and ice.
Little ones who can walk in the snow but get tired quickly can be pulled on a light plastic sled.
Family friendly winter activities include:
- CP Holiday Train, Santa parades, and downtown Christmas lights
- visit a sugar bush
- community winter fairs (2016 dates TBA)
- hiking in Gatineau Park or Ottawa’s many walking trails
- Winterlude
When the weather turns too cold to enjoy the outdoors, head out – to the indoors!
Getting out of the house daily can make a big difference for a parent at home, or for one looking for something special to do with children on the weekends. The Ontario Early Years Centres run free programs and playgroups from 0 to age 6 all around Ottawa, as do both school boards through the Parenting and Family Literacy Centres. The Ottawa Public Library offers free baby time, toddler time and family story time programs for the whole family.
If you’re looking to get active with little ones there are many programs that run year-round, including Salsa Babies , Little Lotus Yoga, FITMom, and Kangaroo Fitness and Boomerang Kids’ Strollercise. Just grab your baby and get moving!
Once your little one is old enough to climb there are a growing number of indoor playgrounds, which are a great way to burn energy on a rainy or cold day. Most have a baby/toddler side for little ones to explore safely, often for a lesser fee, or even free. If you think your child might be sensitive to sound, pick up a pair of children’s ear protectors as the noise can be overwhelming to some children. Playgrounds with areas for babies and toddlers include Starr Gymnastics, Monkey Around, Kids Kingdom, Funhaven and Cosmic Adventures.
Museums are another great option for burning energy while the weather is less than perfect. Ottawa’s museums are packed with activities for kids of all ages and it’s a nice trip for parents, too.
- Children’s Museum
- Museum of Canadian History
- Museum of Natural History
- Agricultural Museum/Central Experimental Farm
- Canadian Aviation and Space Museum
- Canadian Science and Technology Museum (currently closed)
- National Art Gallery
- Ottawa Museum Network
Getting active is good for us physically and mentally, and the sooner we get out year-round as a family, the sooner we model a healthy lifestyle for our children. As the little ones grow and can play in the outdoors more, those fall and winter traditions will already be in place to enjoy and build memories.
Wendy Schlachta
Wendy Schlachta has 12 years of experience in education and health communications. The mother of two girls, she founded Soft Landings Infant Care Workshops to provide knowledge and confidence to new and expecting parents in the comfort of their own homes.
Soft Landings Infant Care Workshops
Soft Landings offers personalized, in-home workshops for new and expecting parents. With friendly, fact-based workshops, hands-on demonstrations and an opportunity to compare baby items (diapers, carriers, etc.), my goal is to give you confidence in your new role as a parent.
Contact Information
Website: www.softlandings.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/softlandingsottawa/
Email: wendy@softlandings.ca
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