POV: You're a 90s kid and your parents sent you outside in this weather with a packet of crackers and told you to come home when dinners ready.
No tablets. No indoor play centres. No carefully curated sensory bins.
Just gumboots, a raincoat, a backyard and the instruction:
"Go outside and play."
And somehow... we survived.
While we might not be quite as keen to send our kids out alone until the streetlights come on these days, there is still something pretty special about letting little ones experience the simple joy of playing outside in winter.
Because sometimes the best adventures happen when the weather isn't perfect.
Yes, Even When It's Raining
We know. Getting everyone dressed to go outside can feel like a full workout before you've even left the house.
There are jackets to find, gumboots that mysteriously disappear and at least one child who suddenly decides they absolutely cannot wear socks.
But once you're outside? That's where the magic happens. If its the washing that stresses you out, head over to our friends at MudMates and get your little one some coveralls here. Then you can say yes to muddy puddles, messy play, and outdoor adventures.
Their bestselling NZ-made coveralls keep clothes underneath clean and dry, saving time on washing and outfit changes.
Puddles become oceans. Mud becomes a five-star restaurant. Sticks become magic wands.
A simple walk around the backyard can suddenly become the greatest adventure of the day.
Why Winter Outdoor Play Is So Good for Little Ones
🌧️ Fresh Air, Movement & Sensory Exploration
Getting outside gives children the chance to move their bodies, run, jump, splash and explore.
For babies, this might simply mean being wrapped up warmly and experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. For toddlers and older children, it might mean jumping in puddles, exploring the backyard or going on a winter nature walk.
Winter also provides endless sensory experiences: the sound of rain, wet grass beneath gumboots, cold puddles, muddy soil, leaves and sticks.
🧠 Let Their Imaginations Take Over
One of the best things about outdoor play is that children don't need much to create their own fun.
A puddle can become a lake. A stick can become a fishing rod. A pile of leaves can become a magical hiding place.
Older children can create games and adventures, while younger children can simply explore the world around them.
Sometimes, the less we give them to play with, the more creative they become.
You can even bring your outdoor discoveries inside and use them as inspiration for storytelling and imaginative play on your Sensory Play Mat. Your little one might recognise some of the New Zealand birds they've been learning about through play, including the Kiwi, Kea, Pūkeko and Fantail (Pīwakawaka).
Then Come the Cosy Moments
Of course, the best part of playing outside in winter is coming back inside afterwards.
Peel off the wet layers, find the missing gumboot (because there is always one missing), and get cosy.
Set up a warm space with a soft Bee Knit Blanket, a favourite book and a cup of something warm.
For babies and toddlers, a little sensory play can be a lovely way to wind down after an outdoor adventure.
We Don't Need Perfect Weather to Make Great Memories
We don't need to wait for the perfect sunny day to enjoy time outside with our children.
Some of the best childhood memories are made in the rain, covered in mud and wearing clothes that definitely should have been changed before coming inside.
So grab the gumboots, chuck on the raincoats or coveralls and let them get a little bit wet.
Because while we might spend half the afternoon cleaning up muddy footprints, there is something pretty special about watching our children experience the same simple kind of fun we had growing up.
And if all else fails?
There's always a warm bath, dry clothes and a hot chocolate waiting at the end. ☕️🛁
From our whānau to yours, here's to rainy adventures, muddy footprints and making memories the old-fashioned way. 🌧️💛
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Nicole and Penny x
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