Staying outdoors with Reima

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At the moment our area is considered 'medium risk' but I have seen how quickly things can change and so I feel more comfortable preparing for a stricter lockdown and closures over the next season. For me the prospect of a winter spent inside is a scary thing so we have been making sure we have everything we need to get outdoors whatever the weather.  I am going to be working with one of my favourite outdoor brands, Reima this winter and they sent the children waterproof trousers and jackets each. Of course Finn and Cora see the term waterproof as a challenge so we took them to our favourite puddle (surely everyone has a favourite puddle?).  My plan is that we continue to get out come rain or shine and make the most of the nature around us.  

We are lucky to be surrounded by beaches and parks and have woodland a short drive away.  We will be getting out as much as possible and so it is important to have the right gear.  We will get some thermals for the coldest days and waterproof boots and warm outer layers so there are fewer barriers to our outdoor adventures.  These Reima jackets are not only perfectly designed for having fun outside all winter, but they are also sustainably made of mono material which means they are easy to recycle when they finally give up too! We have had Reima products for years and they are all still going strong so I don't think we will be testing that for a while.  (Some are on the third child and still look almost new)

My plans for the winter don't involve soft play passes and cinema tickets but instead thermos flasks and hand warmers.  I am hoping that our options stay open, but if not we are making sure we are prepared for a winter using our energy elsewhere.  My children bounce off the walls if we stay in all weekend but they can't if we take away the walls!  Time outdoors is good for their physical and mental health  The children are wearing Kulkija jackets and Sild trousers and despite the mud Finn covered his in, it looked perfectly clean again before we got home!  The trousers are waterproof and warm however if you sit in a puddle (as Finn did of course) the water could go in over the waistband.  As you can see from the pictures, my children don't hold back when it comes to mud and puddles so I think these are going to be vital this winter!

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The Ordinary Moments - At the Park

I have fallen behind a bit in documenting our lives on here, sharing the photos I take and those moments I want to look back on.  Instagram is so easy to use but one picture never seems enough and I love taking my camera out and taking some proper photographs.  I want to start sharing a post each week (possibly each fortnight) with more photos, more ordinary moments again. 

This series is from a Sunday walk to the park after a lazy morning watching TV and snuggling under blankets.  These two needed a walk and were desperate to test out their new (gifted) Reima boots which are both waterproof and machine washable (a very good thing as these are messy children!).  They insisted they didn't need proper coats and they wanted to match again (both are wearing all Little Green Radicals clothing, some gifted, some bought), their favourite thing at the moment.  We live so close to the park that it is easy to pop over to and it really helps wake me up when I am feeling lazy and wears them out.  The wooden obstacle course has finally been reopened after a few weeks being out of action and they are both getting so confident hopping along the stepping stones and walking along the balance beams.  

The sun was getting low in the sky even though it wasn't even 3pm when we arrived and the sun shone through the park keeping us a bit warmer.  The park was empty most of the time we were in there, other children probably doing nice warm festive things but for us it felt the perfect balance to the indoor activities and Christmas fun.  We had already opened advent calenders and written cards that morning and now they needed to run off some of the energy. The day felt much more balanced and there were lots of giggles.

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5 Ways to Play Outdoors in Winter

As the days get colder and the daylight hours shorter, it becomes more and more tempting to stay indoors but this is the time when my children need to be outdoors more than ever.  The crisp fresh air helps wear them out and the change in season gives them something new to explore and discover.  I strongly believe that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, there is just the wrong clothing so the best place to start is with your winter gear.

Either waterproof trousers and a waterproof jacket or an all in one is vital, along with good quality boots, a hat, scarf and gloves.  We also have ski trousers and jackets for when it gets really cold.  Merino wool makes a great base layer and you can get great value products from places like Mountain Warerhouse or invest in great quality like Reima.  Fleece is an ideal mid-layer and combining it all means no matter how cold or wet it may be, no adventure is off limits.

Here are some of our favourite ways to play outdoors over the Autumn and Winter

Outdoor Playgroups / Forest Schools

In some Scandinavian countries, children attend outdoor schools all year round and they build resilience as well as developing knowledge of the world.  Most areas have local outdoor playgroups or forest schools for preschoolers and we love visiting one nearby to us where the little ones can explore in a safe environment.  With mud kitchens, wooden climbing frames, mud pits for digging and all sorts it brings the games and toys most children are familiar with into a different environment.

Searching for Gruffalos in the Woods

It doesn't have to be a Gruffalo, you could play stick men, or go on a bear hunt instead. Bringing story books to life is becoming more popular with story sacks but it is even more exciting outdoors and the cold weather often helps with the stories.  Wet grass is swooshy, wet mud is squishy and everywhere is quieter in the Autumn and Winter too.

Scooting through Puddles

Stomping through muddles is a well known rainy day activity but have you ever tried scooting through them? Make sure everyone is in waterproof trousers and find the best puddles. There is a great one in our local park that fills up as soon as it starts raining and the children love racing through it watching the water spray out to the sides. 

Collecting Craft Materials

Skip the glitter (I think most parents are more than happy to do that) and use nature as your craft materials.  Take out a bucket or basket and collect fallen leaves, twigs, pine cones and anything else that doesn't impact the environment by removing it and use if for painting, crafting and making Christmas tree decorations or spring garlands.

Don't Rule out the Summer Favourites

The beach is certainly not just for summer.  We love building stone towers, throwing rocks into the sea and walking along the built up sand barriers.  We love how quiet it is as the children can explore further from me alone and it still feels safe.

Scavenger Hunt

In the spring we love to do a colour based scavenger hunt and this works just as well in the winter.  Write lists for older kids and draw pictures for younger ones and send them out with baskets to collect their treasures.  Not only does it get them moving outdoors but it is a great way to explore the changing environment and the new colours each season brings to the natural world

I would love to hear your tips for getting kids outdoors in winter

PIN ME!

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Ready for the Rain // Polarn O Pyret

Having small children I have had to adopt the attitude that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing, and even in the depths of winter we like to get out and be active every day.  It is the first time Finn will get to really experience this season as last year he was tucked up cosy in his buggy or wrapped up warm in the sling.  This week I took him puddle splashing for the very first time and I loved watching his face as he realised he really was allowed to stomp right through a puddle.

Puddle splashing is our favourite rainy day activity and over the four years that I have had a walking child we have learned where all the best puddles are.  Even when it is cold and wet we like to get out for a short time and it is the perfect way to stretch little legs, blow off the cobwebs and break up the day.  

The rain has already started to fall and Finn was sent a brilliant rain suit from Polarn. O. Pyret to help him out on his adventures.  It is lovely and thick for a waterproof suit but not padded so you can layer it differently for cold winter days or wet and mild autumn ones.  It feels so well made and fits generously - I imagine this one will last him all winter and next spring too.  (The Scandinavian sizes mean measuring your child's height will give you a much more accurate idea of which size to choose rather than their age.  Finn is roughly 80cm tall and this is size 86)

This winter I will start encouraging him to walk more and be in the buggy a little less, he will start running around with his brothers more and I need to know he is well protected.  I find myself climbing the walls when I am indoors with all four for too long so we will be out everyday for my sake as much as theirs!  I love the reflective strips on this which I think will come in very useful as the night's start earlier and the double zip makes it easy to get on and off.  There is elastic on both sides to go under the wellies to help keep everything in place and keep water out.  

Our winter is going to be cold and wet and so much fun and as long as we are all dressed up cosy and waterproof we will be enjoying it outdoors as much as we can.  

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Cute Cardigans for Little Boys

Finn has such beautiful clothes that it seems a shame to start covering them up, but as September progresses I see autumn on its way and we are starting to think about jumpers, cardigans and layering up to keep warm.  Here are some of my favourites from Melijoe

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