In our part of the world on the South-Western Coast of Western Australia winter is windy, stormy, wet and cold. The traditional caretakers of the land, the Whadjuk, Noongar People call this time Makuru: the wet and cold. This is when they would relocate to caves to bunker down.
As I become more aware of the seasons and changes during the year, our family has begun to create patterns of living; seasons of habits that we cycle through. It’s become a welcoming cyclical journey throughout the year - a little like a homecoming as the next season comes back around.
At this time of year, we are drawn to the warm and comforts of our home and so find ourselves inside creating and storytelling. When in the right mood, we are also excited to venture out into the weather and enjoy winter explorations. Here are a few of our family favourites through winter. It’s my hope that you are inspired to try some of these with your family when at a loss to know what to do in the winter months.
1) Handicraft
Do you know how to knit, crochet or cross stitch? I certainly didn’t. But I knew that this was something I really wanted my children to learn. So I had a dilemma! How am I to teach my own children handicraft skills if I don’t have any myself? Well, my dilemma was actually a blessing, because I have had the joy of learning to do handicraft with my children. We had a kind generous lady who we met in our neighbourhood who visited us regularly teaching us how to knit, crochet and cross stich. It has been so beautiful to learn with my children. It is never to late to learn a new skill. If you don’t have a friend or relative to learn from, then there are many many books in the library and youtube of course. This is a wonderful warming, wintry activity.
2) Cooking
I don’t know about you, but our life is full! And getting a meal on the table is a matter of duty rather than enjoyment. Winter is a time to slow down a little and open the cook books and browse some delicious winter warmers. This is a great time to involve the children in cooking, or take the time to train them to cook a meal for the whole family. Imagine what a great skill for them, plus the extra time you will have OUT of the kitchen! We love to cook pies in winter. What’s your favourite winter meal? Take some extra time over the winter to cook more and involve your children too.
3) Cubbies
When the outside is wet and miserable, my children love to find cosy places inside to play. Cubbies are the usual option! They love to rearrange the couch cushions, pull half of the linen out of the cupboard, highjack the peg basket and create elaborate architectural cubbies. This is the perfect place to snuggle up and read a book. If large enough, we sometimes all snuggle in there to enjoy a chapter of our read-aloud book.
4) Construction
My son is quite the collector. He is often asking, “when you have finished with that, what are you going to do with it?” So, in our home, we seem to have collected a variety of bits and pieces; anything from – wire, bottle caps, corks, broken goggles, chains, screws, old gadgets, bubble wrap, old tins and anything else generally considered ‘junk.’ When the weather is wild outside, this is the perfect time to get out that box of stuff and let them construct creations of all shapes and sizes. Over the years there have been models of the International Space Station, teddy go-carts, speed boat, miniature rafts, doll beds and many more creations.
This is a very cost-free and sustainable activity for children to learn to re-purpose.
5) Winter walks
We are accustomed to walking through nature when the weather is fine, but may I suggest that our most memorable walks have been in wild weather. These days have many stories to tell and will be treasured memoires for years to come. My children still talk about the walk we took through the muddy forest in the rain and the fun they had slipping and sliding across the track. Who would have thought these walks would be remembered fondly? You also learn to connect deeply and appreciate the seasons of nature. Walks through weather also bring me to reflect and consider the determination and ingenuity of those who have walked these lands for thousands of years before us.
6) Tea Parties and stories
When the rain pours outside and the wind is wild all around the house, sitting cosy inside with a cuppa in one hand and a book in the other is so warming. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with your children and let stories take you on adventures while snuggling inside. A simple cup of tea (or hot chocolate) and some home baked (if you’re organised) or store bought (more the reality) cookies certainly sweetens the story.
7) Music
Do your children like music? Do they like to play music or listen to music? In the cooler months, our home is filled with a mixture of cacophony of music on instruments and speakers. If you children are learning an instrument, the winter time is perfect to play more. Perhaps your children, like my girls love to create a playlist and crank it through the speaker and sing along and dance! What a perfect way to let out energy. You might appreciate some background music while you work on handicrafts.
8) Games and puzzles
There is so much to learn through playing games and puzzles. Children learn valuable skills in perseverance, teamwork, mathematics, fine motor skills, encouragement and handling disappointment. These can be some of the most important skills they will learn in life. When sports outdoors is limited with the weather, we often have neighbourhood children in our home playing games together. It’s such a beautiful opportunity for connection with others.
I hope you’ve been inspired with some simple ideas to do with your children over the winter months. Perhaps you’d like to try one idea each week, or one each day.
May you relish these shorter days connecting with and enjoying each other.
Penny