Some top ideas for outdoor winter playtime.

It's important to get fresh air and sunshine and children know this more than anyone! It helps you to feel energetic, refreshed and there's so much more room for fun in the garden or at the park. Here are some great ideas to get you spending lots more time outdoors.

FREEZE DANCE
The weather might be bitingly cold but dancing will keep you warm! Bring a battery operated radio out into the yard and get dancing. One kids job will be to switch off the radio unexpectedly and when this happens, he/she will shout 'FREEZE!' Every child needs to freeze in position. Lose your balance or crack a smile and you're out!
WINTER WALKS
Brave the outdoors and wrap up warm. There's a winter world waiting to be discovered. The branches might be bare but check out the glistening frost, the red robin, frozen puddles ready to be poked with long sticks and sparkling frosted leaves. Stop and listen for the sound of silence and note the lack of insects.
HOPSKOTCH
his one is a great winter warmer! Draw up your hopscotch course and gather your pals. Hopping gets the blood flowing through your veins, your lungs working harder and your muscles warmed up too!
MAKE FUZZY EARMUFFS TO TEST OUTDOORS
Have you ever made your own fuzzy earmuffs? It's so much fun! Get a wide hairband and two little teddy bears. Get an adult to help you to glue the teddy bears tummies to the hairband, the teddies feet and paws will keep your ears warm. Then get outdoors to test them out!
NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT
Make sure you are wearing warm clothes before you set out on your nature scavenger hunt! Make a list of items you want to find. An oak leaf, a snail shell, some moss, a feather, a pinecone and lots more!
WINTER MINI-GOLF COURSE
Got some mini-golf clubs? If not, why not get inventive and use some large wooden spoons! Lay down some big pots, pans, tubes and anything you're allowed to pull from the kitchen or garage, Lay out a winter mini golf course the length of your garden and start putting!
LEAF RUBBINGS
It's easy to make fun art outdoors. Grab some sheets of paper and fat crayons and trot outside. Take a selection of leaves, place one underneath your sheet of paper and rub the crayon lengthways on the sheet. The beautiful patterns of the leaves will start to emerge. So pretty! You can do the same on tree bark and other surfaces.