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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Wisco Winters
lflick 09:06 AM 08-25-2014
Okay everyone-
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
Leigh 09:44 AM 08-25-2014
Last winter was rough here, too. I had a mom who was constantly upset with me that I wouldn't put her 3 year old outside in subzero temps, but I just won't do that.
Indoor toys that are popular here are Schliech animals, Duplo blocks, Imaginext, Jake and the Neverland Pirates ships and characters, Little People, musical instruments, and couch cushions, blankets & chairs (fort building every day!), and the kitchen toys. Play Doh, Painting, drawing, coloring-most art supplies are not used much in the summer, in the winter, we do something most every day. We also like to have indoor picnics sporadically in the winter-it's exciting for them (I put a plastic tablecloth on the floor).
Indoor toys that are popular here are Schliech animals, Duplo blocks, Imaginext, Jake and the Neverland Pirates ships and characters, Little People, musical instruments, and couch cushions, blankets & chairs (fort building every day!), and the kitchen toys. Play Doh, Painting, drawing, coloring-most art supplies are not used much in the summer, in the winter, we do something most every day. We also like to have indoor picnics sporadically in the winter-it's exciting for them (I put a plastic tablecloth on the floor).
Blackcat31 09:54 AM 08-25-2014
Originally Posted by lflick:
Okay everyone-
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
Can I ask why? Okay everyone-
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
Why not get out and enjoy the winter?
I am in northern MN and I take my kids (ALL of them) out doors every day in the winter atleast 2 times a day.
If the temps are dangerously cold, we stay in but for the most part, winter does not mean life stops around here.
If kids aren't exposed to snow and winter, they'll ever adapt...kwim?
AmyKidsCo 02:20 PM 08-25-2014
Licensing rules state we can't go out with wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above, or 20 degrees F or below for children under age 2.
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
drseuss 02:29 PM 08-25-2014
Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo:
Licensing rules state we can't go out with wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above, or 20 degrees F or below for children under age 2.
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
^^Yep! Last winter was one loooooong winter. The snowfall was so heavy that even on the days the kids could go out, they couldn't get around much. Particularly the littler ones. I think we had two or three days all season that the snow was good for snowmen/packing. Winters are a challenge.Licensing rules state we can't go out with wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above, or 20 degrees F or below for children under age 2.
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
Blackcat31 03:02 PM 08-25-2014
Originally Posted by AmyKidsCo:
Licensing rules state we can't go out with wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above, or 20 degrees F or below for children under age 2.
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
Wow, that's a bummer but I suppose it is for safety reasons. Licensing rules state we can't go out with wind chills of 0 degrees F or below for children age 2 and above, or 20 degrees F or below for children under age 2.
We had a lot of 0 and lower last winter!
With all the articles/news reports that have surfaced lately with providers in FCC (lawn mower one and the kid choking on string from a slide) I can see why some states are taking the decision out of the providers hands.
We don't have strict rules about that and I think living here, we all know what too cold and not to cold is. I am lucky to have DC parents that ALL spend a lot of time outdoors in temps well below zero... I guess that's all just part of living where I do.
Interesting info though.
lblanke 04:48 PM 08-25-2014
If you have the room for it, the indoor/outdoor bounce houses are great. We have My 1st Jump & Play from Sam's club. Since there have been news reports of some that have blown away outdoors, if you can set one up in a basement or big room, kids love them and can use up a lot of energy in there.
midaycare 05:24 PM 08-25-2014
I will be following this for ideas! I wasn't open last winter, but where I am at, we had over well over 100 inches last winter, and it was all mixed with ice. We never had a melt, so by mid January the snow was well over our heads. By Late Feb, it was about 14 feet. I can't imagine taking dck's out in that. And I'm the first to say, "We are going outside! Fresh air!"
Laurel 07:14 PM 08-25-2014
Originally Posted by Leigh:
Last winter was rough here, too. I had a mom who was constantly upset with me that I wouldn't put her 3 year old outside in subzero temps, but I just won't do that.
Indoor toys that are popular here are Schliech animals, Duplo blocks, Imaginext, Jake and the Neverland Pirates ships and characters, Little People, musical instruments, and couch cushions, blankets & chairs (fort building every day!), and the kitchen toys. Play Doh, Painting, drawing, coloring-most art supplies are not used much in the summer, in the winter, we do something most every day. We also like to have indoor picnics sporadically in the winter-it's exciting for them (I put a plastic tablecloth on the floor).
Indoor picnics take me down memory lane. My mom used to do that. We loved it.Last winter was rough here, too. I had a mom who was constantly upset with me that I wouldn't put her 3 year old outside in subzero temps, but I just won't do that.
Indoor toys that are popular here are Schliech animals, Duplo blocks, Imaginext, Jake and the Neverland Pirates ships and characters, Little People, musical instruments, and couch cushions, blankets & chairs (fort building every day!), and the kitchen toys. Play Doh, Painting, drawing, coloring-most art supplies are not used much in the summer, in the winter, we do something most every day. We also like to have indoor picnics sporadically in the winter-it's exciting for them (I put a plastic tablecloth on the floor).
Laurel
Laurel 07:29 PM 08-25-2014
Originally Posted by lflick:
Okay everyone-
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
Play kitchens but change up what is in them. Dress up clothes but again change it up.Okay everyone-
I am located in Wisconsin and we have had some pretty loooong wickedly cold winters. I am trying to prepare ahead of time for the boredom and what not that accompanies it. What are the favorite toys that are used the most for indoor time. I am not exaggerating when I say we spent 90% of our time indoors last winter and it was long and exhausting.
Make the room dark and give them flashlights. Play flashlight games like you shine it on the floor and a child stands on the spot of light and then move it around and they follow it from spot to spot. They love this.
Have hunts like Easter egg hunts. Use anything. I've used wads of aluminum foil.
Beach balls are good for indoor large muscle activity and the babies like to bat them around also.
Use teddy bears and dress them up in doll clothes. Use dolls to play doctor. They like to put band aids on them.
If you dare, let them do water play in the sink. I'd only let one of the older ones do it one at a time and only if they could behave. This will keep them busy for a long time. So will playdough especially if they have different tools to use with the dough from time to time.
Let ones who can handle scissors just have things to cut. They just like to cut with no special plan in mind.
Laurel
Play Care 02:20 AM 08-26-2014
I bought those hopper balls - the ones the kids sit on and can bounce around, though I'm careful to use them only when I can supervise directly and for a specific game...
If we truly can't get out I tend to do a lot of provider led activity, and less free play. It's better for my rowdy crew
If we truly can't get out I tend to do a lot of provider led activity, and less free play. It's better for my rowdy crew
AmyKidsCo 08:09 AM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Laurel:
Indoor picnics take me down memory lane. My mom used to do that. We loved it.
Laurel
Me too, but we can't do them because our cats would attack the food. Indoor picnics take me down memory lane. My mom used to do that. We loved it.
Laurel
How about an obstacle course under the table, over the chairs, under a limbo stick, etc?
Go play! 11:28 AM 08-26-2014
My husband just made us a sensory bin. It was pretty cheap and when you are not using it, it stores inside the bin. We use it for beans, rice, occasionally water, flour, baking soda and vinegar.... The kids like to play with it for a long time. Here is the link.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201184308328979031/
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201184308328979031/
Blackcat31 11:36 AM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Go play!:
My husband just made us a sensory bin. It was pretty cheap and when you are not using it, it stores inside the bin. We use it for beans, rice, occasionally water, flour, baking soda and vinegar.... The kids like to play with it for a long time. Here is the link.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201184308328979031/
Please be careful using certain types of beans.My husband just made us a sensory bin. It was pretty cheap and when you are not using it, it stores inside the bin. We use it for beans, rice, occasionally water, flour, baking soda and vinegar.... The kids like to play with it for a long time. Here is the link.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/201184308328979031/
Some dried beans can be poisonous.....some from handling and others if eaten.
"Beans and other legumes are among the most nutritionally valuable vegetable foods. The seeds of beans are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and many minerals, while low in fat and cholesterol.
But they also contain a protein that can be toxic in sufficiently high concentrations if the beans are eaten raw. Kidney beans in particular contain enough of this toxin to cause acute symptoms, even if only a few raw beans are consumed."
You can google dried beans and find several sources of info.
Heidi 11:40 AM 08-26-2014
Hey...where in the state regs does it say that?
I only have info that we set our OWN policy, not that it's in the regs. Licensing did send us the windchill/heat index chart, but as far as I know, those are recommendations; not regulations.
That said, I am in the same boat. Last winter, I had FOUR non-walking babies, and there were literally weeks that we did not go out outside. By March, I was trying, but one day, it took me TWENTY FIVE minutes to get all four ready to go out, and two were crying after about 5 minutes out there. I was actually almost in tears after that 25 minutes myself. As soon as I'd get one dressed, the other would have his boots off or be pulling on another's hat or pushing, while another was crawling away. It was pretty bad.
Yeah, and I still needed a coat, hat, mittens, and boots on too! 
One thing I did a few times is bring snow inside in big tupperware containers. That was a big hit with 3/4 of my group.
I only have info that we set our OWN policy, not that it's in the regs. Licensing did send us the windchill/heat index chart, but as far as I know, those are recommendations; not regulations.
That said, I am in the same boat. Last winter, I had FOUR non-walking babies, and there were literally weeks that we did not go out outside. By March, I was trying, but one day, it took me TWENTY FIVE minutes to get all four ready to go out, and two were crying after about 5 minutes out there. I was actually almost in tears after that 25 minutes myself. As soon as I'd get one dressed, the other would have his boots off or be pulling on another's hat or pushing, while another was crawling away. It was pretty bad.
Yeah, and I still needed a coat, hat, mittens, and boots on too! One thing I did a few times is bring snow inside in big tupperware containers. That was a big hit with 3/4 of my group.
llpa 11:41 AM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Please be careful using certain types of beans.
Some dried beans can be poisonous.....some from handling and others if eaten.
"Beans and other legumes are among the most nutritionally valuable vegetable foods. The seeds of beans are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and many minerals, while low in fat and cholesterol.
But they also contain a protein that can be toxic in sufficiently high concentrations if the beans are eaten raw. Kidney beans in particular contain enough of this toxin to cause acute symptoms, even if only a few raw beans are consumed."
You can google dried beans and find several sources of info.
Please be careful using certain types of beans.
Some dried beans can be poisonous.....some from handling and others if eaten.
"Beans and other legumes are among the most nutritionally valuable vegetable foods. The seeds of beans are high in protein, complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber and many minerals, while low in fat and cholesterol.
But they also contain a protein that can be toxic in sufficiently high concentrations if the beans are eaten raw. Kidney beans in particular contain enough of this toxin to cause acute symptoms, even if only a few raw beans are consumed."
You can google dried beans and find several sources of info.
thank you BC for that info! I had no idea and while I haven't used beans yet I think I would have at some point!
Go play! 01:15 PM 08-26-2014
Thanks Blackcat! I was really mostly worried about them sticking them up their noses! When I taught in the school district we had a kid pull one out from the day before! I will watch them carefully do make sure no one is eating them.
I will watch them carefully do make sure no one is eating them.
Blackcat31 01:18 PM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Go play!:
Thanks Blackcat! I was really mostly worried about them sticking them up their noses! When I taught in the school district we had a kid pull one out from the day before! I will watch them carefully do make sure no one is eating them.
Thanks Blackcat! I was really mostly worried about them sticking them up their noses! When I taught in the school district we had a kid pull one out from the day before!
I will watch them carefully do make sure no one is eating them. Oh yeah... I forgot about sticking things in their noses! I think the dust on them is toxic too if the kids get it on their hands and then touch their mouths, faces etc...
I think it would probably be best to just not use beans and stick with things like rice and pasta.
Atleast they aren't so tough to extract from their nasal passages..
BrooklynM 01:30 PM 08-26-2014
Sadly around here, under 50 degrees and it feels freezing. I have Raynaud's, so the cold really gets to me bad. Luckily we don't have to deal with the winters!
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
NightOwl 01:31 PM 08-26-2014
Can I just say I dislike you all a little bit right now??? Lol. I'm kidding. Jealousy is an ugly thing. I would give an arm for even a foot of snow during winter. We're in Alabama, so there are many winters where we never see a single flurry. Every few years we'll get a few inches and everyone will race outside to make the most pitiful, pathetic, 18 inch tall snowmen you'll ever see. And they melt within a couple of hours.
And they melt within a couple of hours.
NightOwl 01:34 PM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by BrooklynM:
Sadly around here, under 50 degrees and it feels freezing. I have Raynaud's, so the cold really gets to me bad. Luckily we don't have to deal with the winters!
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
Are you friendly with your neighbors? Maybe you could just ask them when they typically rise in the mornings and tell them you don't want to disturb their sleep. I'm sure they would really appreciate that you thought of them before ushering the kids out. Just a thought. I would guess about 8am, but that's without knowing your neighbors myself.Sadly around here, under 50 degrees and it feels freezing. I have Raynaud's, so the cold really gets to me bad. Luckily we don't have to deal with the winters!
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
BrooklynM 01:42 PM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Wednesday:
Are you friendly with your neighbors? Maybe you could just ask them when they typically rise in the mornings and tell them you don't want to disturb their sleep. I'm sure they would really appreciate that you thought of them before ushering the kids out. Just a thought. I would guess about 8am, but that's without knowing your neighbors myself.
The lady in the back is super nice, I totally should just ask her! She actually owned a large preschool for years, I can ask her, but the other guy on the side of me is kind of creepy. I was thinking 8, I might just ask her and then go with 8 or later, whatever she says.Are you friendly with your neighbors? Maybe you could just ask them when they typically rise in the mornings and tell them you don't want to disturb their sleep. I'm sure they would really appreciate that you thought of them before ushering the kids out. Just a thought. I would guess about 8am, but that's without knowing your neighbors myself.
NightOwl 01:51 PM 08-26-2014
Lol. Creepy guys can be intimidating. But you never know! He could turn out to be a sweet old man! Or you would just confirm that he is, in fact, creepy.
I would talk to the super nice lady and go with what she says, as long as it's reasonable.
I would talk to the super nice lady and go with what she says, as long as it's reasonable.
Unregistered 03:22 PM 08-26-2014
See if your area has ordinances for outdoor noise like leaf-blowing, mowing, etc. and go by that time.
I also work with my kids so that we don't disturb neighbors. I tell them if they scream, the neighbors think they are hurt and get worried
I also work with my kids so that we don't disturb neighbors. I tell them if they scream, the neighbors think they are hurt and get worried
NightOwl 03:23 PM 08-26-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
See if your area has ordinances for outdoor noise like leaf-blowing, mowing, etc. and go by that time.
I also work with my kids so that we don't disturb neighbors. I tell them if they scream, the neighbors think they are hurt and get worried
Good ideas!See if your area has ordinances for outdoor noise like leaf-blowing, mowing, etc. and go by that time.
I also work with my kids so that we don't disturb neighbors. I tell them if they scream, the neighbors think they are hurt and get worried
lflick 05:57 PM 09-02-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Can I ask why?
Why not get out and enjoy the winter?
I am in northern MN and I take my kids (ALL of them) out doors every day in the winter atleast 2 times a day.
If the temps are dangerously cold, we stay in but for the most part, winter does not mean life stops around here.
If kids aren't exposed to snow and winter, they'll ever adapt...kwim?
Sorry it took so long, my computer went on a vacation without telling me! When the temps are not dangerous we do go outside but last winter was a record setting year with dangerously cold temps, windchill, and snowfall.Can I ask why?
Why not get out and enjoy the winter?
I am in northern MN and I take my kids (ALL of them) out doors every day in the winter atleast 2 times a day.
If the temps are dangerously cold, we stay in but for the most part, winter does not mean life stops around here.
If kids aren't exposed to snow and winter, they'll ever adapt...kwim?
lflick 06:01 PM 09-02-2014
Originally Posted by Heidi:
Hey...where in the state regs does it say that?
I only have info that we set our OWN policy, not that it's in the regs. Licensing did send us the windchill/heat index chart, but as far as I know, those are recommendations; not regulations.
That said, I am in the same boat. Last winter, I had FOUR non-walking babies, and there were literally weeks that we did not go out outside. By March, I was trying, but one day, it took me TWENTY FIVE minutes to get all four ready to go out, and two were crying after about 5 minutes out there. I was actually almost in tears after that 25 minutes myself. As soon as I'd get one dressed, the other would have his boots off or be pulling on another's hat or pushing, while another was crawling away. It was pretty bad. Yeah, and I still needed a coat, hat, mittens, and boots on too!
One thing I did a few times is bring snow inside in big tupperware containers. That was a big hit with 3/4 of my group.
Hey...where in the state regs does it say that?
I only have info that we set our OWN policy, not that it's in the regs. Licensing did send us the windchill/heat index chart, but as far as I know, those are recommendations; not regulations.
That said, I am in the same boat. Last winter, I had FOUR non-walking babies, and there were literally weeks that we did not go out outside. By March, I was trying, but one day, it took me TWENTY FIVE minutes to get all four ready to go out, and two were crying after about 5 minutes out there. I was actually almost in tears after that 25 minutes myself. As soon as I'd get one dressed, the other would have his boots off or be pulling on another's hat or pushing, while another was crawling away. It was pretty bad.
Yeah, and I still needed a coat, hat, mittens, and boots on too! One thing I did a few times is bring snow inside in big tupperware containers. That was a big hit with 3/4 of my group.
I brought snow in multiple times last year and it was a hit!
lflick 06:04 PM 09-02-2014
Originally Posted by BrooklynM:
Sadly around here, under 50 degrees and it feels freezing. I have Raynaud's, so the cold really gets to me bad. Luckily we don't have to deal with the winters!
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
Sadly around here, under 50 degrees and it feels freezing. I have Raynaud's, so the cold really gets to me bad. Luckily we don't have to deal with the winters!
But, this got me to thinking, not to hijack the thread, but what time in the morning do you think it is ok for the kids to go outside and play? My neighbor directly behind me is old and retired, my other neighbor works out of his home and I never want to be outside too loud before its too early. Some of my kids get here at 6:15am. I normally make them wait until about 7:30. They can be really loud though. Is that too early do you think?
As a general rule, my own kids included, we are fairly low key until after breakfast (which is between 7 and 715)... by the time they are done and everything is cleaned up it is between 8 and 815 which I think is decent. On the weekends, my own kids don't generally go outside until 9am.