This last weekend was May Long here in Manitoba. The weekend that separates winter from summer. And no, I didn’t miss spring. Here in Manitoba it is not at all uncommon for us to go from winter to summer over a long weekend. In fact, we woke up to snow this long weekend and today it is going to be sunny with a high of +18 degrees celcius. After a long winter, the kids are generally ready to get out their bikes and scooters and spend some time in the warm sunshine. But what if your family is having a hard time getting back into the summer swing of things? Here are 3 tips to get your family back into the routine of playing outside after a long winter!
#1) Shed winter routines
It’s time to celebrate the extended hours of daylight! After dinner when homework and chores are complete, why not take a short walk as a family? There is a great ice cream shop 30 minutes away from us that we love to walk to. Of course, starting with even 15 minutes of outdoor play a few times a week will help you and your family break away from your indoor-focused winter routines.
#2) Break out the outdoor toys
The winter months always feel as though they’re dragging on. With so many months since last being able to play outside in the sunlight, your little ones may have forgotten about their favourite toys from last summer. Pick a weekend to pull out all the outdoor toys from storage and have your little ones help you. Pull out those scooters and watch as your child tries to navigate balance again!
#3) Learn new skills
Learning to ride a bike is a major milestone for any child. Not only will they learn a new skill, but it will teach them a few valuable lessons like perseverance and bravery. It will also give you some precious bonding time and memories that you will both remember for years to come.
Of course, no matter what activities your child is involved in, safety is the first priority. Helmets are a must here in Southeastern Manitoba for those under 18 years of age.
GIVEAWAY MOMENT:
1 CANADIAN Mommy Moment reader will WIN a Bell Sports Hot Wheels helmet.
To enter, leave a blog post comment telling us what your little one’s favorite summer activity is.
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Athena says
Soccer and baseball
Anne Taylor says
My grandkids love running through the sprinkler!
Jonnie says
Riding his scooter
ivy pluchinsky says
she likes biking, soccer, and just playing outside in general
heidi c. says
My kids love swimming!
Amy C says
My kids love to ride their bikes.
Amy Heffernan says
My little boy just loves to ride his 3 wheel scooter!
Linda @ Over Sixty Dating says
Sounds like you have really great weather. Over here in the UK we are still waiting for the start of summer, (seems that spring and winter is inter-linked and not budging), enjoyed reading your post.
Tina L. says
Riding their bikes.
michelle tremblett says
Riding bikes is a favorite in our house 🙂
Karen C. Hill says
He loves going for rides on his scooter and playing in his sand box
Lee-Ann S says
Cycling and trampoline.
kathy downey says
His favorite summer activity is bike riding
Jessica Gipson says
My son favorite summer activity is riding her bike with friends.
Viv Sluys says
My kids love any outdoor activity that includes water. Going to the lake or spray park are their first choices but playing in the sprinkler or wading pool are happy second choices.
Laurie P says
My girl loves all things to do with water play!
Jeannie says
My son loves riding his bike
Cheryl says
He loves playing with water guns
Jocelyne Alldrick says
We love going for fammily bike rides…soemtimes we end up at the park 🙂
Jennifer P. says
I have one who loves to swim, and the other who loves to ride her bike or scooter.
Doreen Lamoureux says
biking and skateboarding …. which both need a helmet cause he plays hard.
tammy ta says
My boys fav. activities are jumping on the trampoline, fishing and swimming
lori b says
Rollerblading on seawall
Nicky says
playing in the pool
Jodi Mitrovic says
Great tips for getting back into a summer routine! I love going for family walks after dinner time as well. My little guy enjoys going for a stroll and loves time at the park. I can’t believe how dramatic your weather is in Manitoba. We have a more gradual transition from winter to spring to summer which probably makes it a little easier on our little ones. Thanks for a fun and safe giveaway!
Maegan Morin says
My kids love swimming!
DarW says
Riding his bike is his fav thing to do! swimming a close 2nd.
Susan Patterson says
Bike riding is their favorite summer activity and riding to the park – thank you!
Lisa H says
My son’s favourite summer activity is riding his bike.
Tanis says
My son loves the beach, park and his Little Tykes toys!
Juliee Fitze says
My granddaughter loves going to the park.
Carol Denny says
Swimming and biking!
LisaM says
My guy loves everything outside but probably going to the outdoor pool is his favourite.
Gordon Brown says
My Oldest son’s favourite summer activity is visiting the water park.
Doris H says
His favourite activity is definitely riding his bike.
Wendy says
playing on the playground
Maria says
Basketball and bike riding
sandra says
My llittle ones favorite activity is to ride his bike or scooter.
Silvia D says
bike riding, swimming and nature hikes
jan says
they are all about going to the nearby park and climbing the apparatus there
andrea amy says
My boys love to jump through the sprinkler
Caroline M. says
soccer at the field with dad is my son’s favourite
Brenda Lacourciere says
we love going to the beach.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
My grandchildren all love riding their bikes or being on their scooters.
amanda dominix-joudrey says
their favorite thing to do is ride their bikes and paly lawn golf with their mom and dad….:-)
Tina F says
My kids is swimming and going for nature walks
Melinda says
Biking and playing at the beach.
SweetPanda says
They love swimming and riding their bicycles in the parks
Robyn Bellefleur says
My kids love scootering, biking and swimming.
Stephanie LaPlante says
Riding bikes and playing sports
Debbie W says
swimming and skipping
Erin McSweeney says
swimming is their favorite for sure
Lisa Neutel says
mykids love riding theyre bikes and swimming and so many more fun outdoor activities
lynn clayton says
playing in the pool and runningthrew the spinkle
Marina M. says
My son loves riding a scooter.
jane kramer says
my kids love jumping in the trampoline and doing flips on it
andrea A says
my little one loves to swim and bike ride.
Taylor Hawkins says
My kids love playing at the splash pad 🙂
Florence C says
My grandchildren love their scooter and bikes.
leanne says
My kids love swimming.
Toby says
Biking, scooting and the parks!
angela m says
My kids love biking and swimming
wendy nicholls says
without question their favorite thing to do is play outside. Right from the moment they get up they start asking if they can go outside , rain , snow , sun doesnt matter they just want out lol
Bailey Dexter says
Hudson & I walk to the park & meet up with a few of his friends. This way they can play soccer or just have fun on the swings!
maria says
Bike riding!
Nate Fuller says
Riding bikes and skateboards!
Dayna Wilson says
My son loves playing in the water park.
Kelley Moore says
My kids love swimming!
Anna W says
My kids love swimming.
andie says
Anything that involves water, esp. water balloons, and they’re both IN.
Tricia Hope says
My grand daughter is seroiusly involved with puddles,lol!
sharon boyle says
skipping rope
LorieB says
They love to play with the inflatable pool/slide/bouncer we have!!!
Sunshine H says
DD just loves being outside, but especially at the park, or in the yard.
Nicole B says
Favorite activity is swimming! They can’t wait for the outdoor wading pools to open
melissa marie says
my daughter loves gardening and riding her bike
Denise M says
My son loves swimming in the summer.
Dianne says
My grandchildren all love to get on their bikes and ride to the playground or the community spray park.
amy tolley says
mine love bike riding and skate boarding along with scooter riding
Betty S says
we love swimming the most.
Rosanne Robinson says
my grandson loves riding his bike, swimming, summer hockey and roller blading
Kate Hearn says
His scooter he got for his birthday and his bike. He also loves swimming and playing in the sandbox