No Bad Weather

Today is a gorgeous sunny day in the mountains of Vermont. Yesterday, on the other hand, was rainy and chilly. The Scandinavian proverb that says there is no such thing as bad weather; only bad clothing is a perfect reminder for the rainy spring months.

One obstacle to getting outdoors in rainy weather is a need for more outdoor clothing. Outdoor gear can be expensive. Young children quickly grow out of their clothing, and it can be difficult for families to afford this additional expense. One way to support all families is to create a space for families to donate outdoor gear their child has outgrown and “shop” for new gear for their child. You’d be amazed at how helpful this is for all families.

Child development specialists recommend that children spend at least three hours outside each day. This may seem impossible, considering that research shows that American children spend between 4 and 7 minutes per day in unstructured play. While we may not be able to meet the recommended three hours of outside time a day in our programs, we can do our best to get children outside every day they are in our care.

Harvard Medical School shared the reasons why children need to get outside each day:

Our bodies need sunshine to create vitamin D. Vitamin D is crucial for bone development and our immune systems.
The unstructured play outdoors helps children build their executive function skills. Executive function skills are needed to plan, prioritize, troubleshoot, and negotiate.
In our outdoor spaces, children learn to take risks. Our support teaches them to assess the risks and weigh any consequences. Risk-taking helps children build their confidence.
The unstructured play in our outdoor spaces supports young children as they learn to work together and build peer relationships.

Are you looking for rainy-day ideas for your outdoor space?

Outdoor Rainy Day Activity Ideas for Kids

16 Rainy Day Outdoor Activities Your Kids Will Love

14 Fun OUTDOOR Rainy Day Play Activities for Kids (Toddlers Too!!)