Wednesday: Go on a backyard icicle hunt
When your child spots fantastic creations, gently break them off (wearing gloves and taking care to stay out of the way if one should fall), and put them in a plastic bag. Find a place in the yard for your icicle display, then stick each one upright in the snow or in a planter that's filled with sand. You can keep adding to your collection throughout the season.
When it comes to winterproofing your kids, doing what your mom did just doesn't cut it anymore. See if you're up to speed on the facts:
1. When dressing your infant to go outside in the cold:
a) Put her in one layer more than you have on
b) Bundle her up in an insulated snowsuit
c) Dress her in the same number of layers as you're wearing
2. Your kids are most likely to develop frostbite if they've been playing outside on a:
a) cold, windy day
b) cold, rainy day
c) freezing day for more than 20 minutes
3. It's time for your child to stop playing in the snow and come inside when:
a) her nose starts running
b) her cheeks have turned crimson
c) she looks less coordinated than usual
4. Your child's just getting over being sick, but it's okay for him to play outside if he's got nothing more than:
a) a runny nose
b) a cough and a low-grade fever
c) an upset stomach but no fever
5. When your child comes inside wet and shivering, warm her up by:
a) Rubbing her skin vigorously
b) Stripping off her clothes and putting her in a warm bath
c) Giving her a cup of hot cocoa
6. Your family's going sledding on a cold, sunny day, so you dress your child in:
a) a hat and mittens
b) a hat, scarf, and mittens
c) a hat, sunglasses, and mittens
7. Before your child runs outside to play in the snow, give him:
a) hot cocoa
b) plenty of water
c) a turkey sandwich
d) A and C
e) B and C
8. True or false: During the winter months, your child has a greater chance of being injured outdoors than in.
When frequent contributor Stacey Colino's two sons, ages 3 and 9, play in the snow, even briefly, she always makes them wear heavy boots.
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