Dr. Clatch Speaks On: Walking In A Winter Wonderland

As we settle into the coldest part of Winter, our natural inclination is to snuggle up and stay indoors. However, more time spent indoors means a greater chance of becoming bored, which combined with the general fatigue that accompanies shorter days, can instill a sort of cabin fever that makes children restless and fussy. A great remedy for this is, of course, physical activity - and with the first snows of winter having recently fallen, there is no better time to get out and enjoy the beauty and serenity of this lovely season.

One of the best ways to witness winter’s beauty is to take a hike. Snowy landscapes can make for a very exciting adventure: animal tracking! Bundle up and take the kids to a forest preserve to spot animal tracks, and to take photos of wintery scenes. Bringing along a magnifying glass can make for even more detailed viewing, as well as observing small sights like snowflakes.

Wintertime also allows for spectacular displays of seasonal arts, such as ice sculpting. Millennium Park in downtown Chicago is a great place to witness ice sculptors honing their craft, or to simply take in the sculptures between rounds of ice skating and sipping hot cocoa. Oftentimes, the sculptures will be lit up at night, which makes for an even more dazzling display.

At the end of a fun and chilly day, nothing is cozier than building a blanket fort and telling stories before bedtime. Don’t forget to ask for help when taking it down - but that can wait until tomorrow.

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