Winter + snow = fun for kids. And this winter, guest blogger Kimberly Drew has four tips for parents who want their kids with special needs to experience winter. She uses the four tips below to make cold weather more tolerable for Abigail, her daughter who lives with cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder, hearing loss, microcephaly, and oral dysphagia.

4 Winter Fun Trips for Kids with Special Needs

There’s something almost Norman Rockwell-ish (oh yes, that’s a word…I promise…I think) about seeing your kids all bundled up outside in snow gear and carelessly immersing themselves in the snow. I love it. I love the laughing, the running, the playing, and the snowball fights. I don’t even mind the clean-up.  Getting everyone dry, warm, and with a cup of hot chocolate brings back memories of my childhood and my mom that truly fill my heart.

These last couple of winters, I’ve been making more of an effort to give our daughter with multiple disabilities those same kinds of moments. I have very methodically chosen the word moments here because for Abbey, a few moments of freezing temperatures are all her body can handle. I know you love your child with disabilities as much as I love mine, and so you totally get this. It’s worth it! I know it seems like a lot of trouble to get your child completely bundled up for just a few minutes, but the joy that it brings them makes it worth all the effort. I’d like to give you a few thoughts on making moments with your child this winter.

1. Appropriate Winter Gear. To start with, make sure you have the appropriate weather gear for your child. If you don’t have an older child for hand-me downs, check out your local consignment shop. I consider it a great investment, because I keep them in the trunk of my car all winter. In the case of an accident or car trouble, I know I have winter gear to keep Abbey safe and warm while we wait for help. I buy boys’ gear so that my younger ones will get use of them when she grows out of them. If you don’t have younger ones, you can take them back to the consignment shop where you got them, or pass them onto a friend.
2. Get Out Your Camera. Once you have appropriate weather gear, get out your camera! Even though Abbey’s all bundled up and tends to look away from the camera, going back through those photos with her is a lot of fun. It’s good for me too…to see her doing what all the other kids do. I know it was only for a few moments, but we’re saving the photos for a lifetime of enjoyment.
3. Make Simple Adaptations. Now that you’re bundled and camera ready, it’s time to play! We bring a towel outside and fold it into quarters for Abbey to sit on as an extra barrier between her knees and the snow. Don’t feel you’re confined to the usual sled and snowman…Abbey loves to swing, and so we put her on her swing. We also save the short sled ride for the end since bringing her up the hill is a killer!
4. Remember the Hot Chocolate: If at all possible, never, EVER, leave out the “hot” chocolate. Abbey gets hers in a mug like her brother only it’s extra cool and comes with her straw. She loves it!

Don’t get snowed in this winter! Make the most of your moments.

Winter Fun at Your House

What tips would you add to Kimberly’s list? What activities make winter fun for your child with special needs? Leave a comment.

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