Winter in Colorado can be fun and magical for kids’ outdoor play, but it’s also important to teach kids how to be safe while having fun. 

Playing outside in the winter offers such a great opportunity for kids to use their creativity, build social skills, and be active. It’s also important for both their mental and physical health. As long as temperatures aren’t too cold to play safely, kids should get outside to play every day. 

But, you also have to keep in mind some safety guidelines, especially when playing in low temps or in the snow.

Risks for Kids in Winter Weather

Kids are more susceptible to cold temps, and their bodies lose heat more quickly than adults. This makes them a higher risk for hypothermia and frostbite. 

Hypothermia 

Hypothermia is very dangerous and develops if a child’s body temperature drops below normal.

If your child is developing hypothermia, they may shiver uncontrollably, seem tired, clumsy, or slur their words. This is a medical emergency, and you should call 911 right away. 

While you wait for emergency help to arrive, you should try to warm up your child. Bring them indoors, remove wet clothing, wrap them in warm blankets, and give them something warm to drink. Be prepared to give CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if your child stops breathing or loses a pulse. 

Frostbite in Kids

Frostbite happens when the skin, and sometimes the tissue beneath the skin, is frozen. Your child’s extremities, like their ears, nose, fingers, and toes are more susceptible to frostbite. 

The early stage of frostbite is called frost nip. In this early stage, your child’s skin may tingle, hurt, have a burning sensation, or feel numb. As it worsens, your child’s skin may become pale, gray or blistered. 

If your child gets frostbite, bring them inside and warm up their frostbitten areas in warm water that is not too hot (104° F is recommended). You can submerge the frostbitten areas or use a warm washcloth for ears, nose, and lips. Do not rub the skin. After a few minutes, dry their skin, cover them with warm clothing, and give your child something warm to drink. 

Mild frostbite should get better when the skin is warmed up. If your child’s skin is still numb or is painful after several minutes, contact your provider at Pediatrics West.

Preparations and Precautions for Winter Play 

To prevent hypothermia or frostbite, you just need to take some precautions and make sure your child is prepared for cold weather. 

Dress Kids in Layers for Winter Play 

Kids need to stay both warm AND dry when playing outdoor in the winter. Wet clothes get cold a lot faster and can lead to cold-related injuries like frostbite a lot faster. 

The key is dressing them in multiple thin layers—and for young children, dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult. Layers will allow your child to adjust their clothing during active play and regulate their body temperature. 

Here are some ideas for layering options: 

• Base Layer: Should be thermal wicking fabrics that are synthetic or wool, but avoid cotton (it takes too long to dry). 
• Mid Layers: use insulating materials like fleece or wool to trap heat
• Outer Layer: use windproof and waterproof coats and pants to block wind and moisture. 
• Footwear: Toes and feet get cold quickly, so layer socks and use insulated, waterproof boots to prevent frostbite.
• Accessories: Warm hats, scarves, mittens (they keep fingers warmer than gloves), and face masks/balaclavas. 

Stay Inside Below -15° F

While we love the phrase “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing,” we don’t think it applies to extreme cold temperatures for kids. If the temp or wind chill is below -15° F, skin can begin to freeze within minutes, so keep your kids inside.

Take Regular Warm-Up Breaks

When your kids are having a great time, they still need to take breaks from outdoor play. The colder the weather, the more often they should come inside to warm up to prevent hypothermia or frostbite.

Safety Tips for Winter Activities 

Snow can be incredible fun for kids (and adults too). Sledding, snow forts, skating, and skiing are great fun and exercise for kids. Follow our tips below to make sure it’s also a safe experience as well. 

Sledding Safety for Kids

Nothing beats a great sledding hill in the winter. Teach your kids what makes a safe spot to sled: 

• 
Pick a safe sledding hill: Stay away from the road. Pick a hill without trees, rocks, or fences with a flat runoff to slow down. Avoid hills that are icy or too steep.
• Prevent head injuries: Sled feet first instead of laying down head first and encourage wearing a helmet. 
• Avoid collisions: Stay away from crowded areas and teach your kids to observe other sledders to avoid collisions before going down a hill. 

Snow Fort Safety

Snow forts can be absolutely magical for kids, but they can dangerous if they collapse. If your kids are playing in a snow fort, remember to check on them regularly, even if they are big. 

Teach your kids these snow fort safety tips, especially bigger kids who tend to play without supervision:

• Don’t dig into a snow bank by the road. They are more likely to collapse or be hit by a snowplow. Build snow forts from the ground up instead. 
• Heavy snow roofs can collapse on kids. Build a fort without a roof, or to put a piece of cardboard on top instead.

Skating on Ponds or Lakes

A frozen pond or lake can be very tempting for kids to explore, but it can be deadly. Teach your kids to always assume that ice is unsafe and to stay off frozen bodies of water unless approved by a parent.

Make sure your kids understand that a frozen pond or lake can be deceiving. It may look safe, but you can fall through the ice. You should check the ice thickness or check with local authorities before walking on ice. Ice needs to be at least 4 inches of solid, clear ice before it’s safe to walk on, as long as it’s non-moving water. But, it’s very important to keep in mind that open bodies of water rarely freeze uniformly. Thickness can vary greatly from one section to another, so only trust areas you have tested. 

Skiing with Kids

If your family spends time on the slopes, you need to take extra precautions to keep your kids safe and having fun.

• Take regular breaks to warm up, hydrate, and rest to prevent exhaustion. 
• Check your kids’ gear to make sure it’s on properly and still dry and able to keep them warm. 
• Wear a helmet and goggles.
• Pick a safe slope. Teach your kids to avoid areas with trees, obstacles, or slopes that are crowded or too advanced. 

Contact Pediatrics West 

If you are concerned about your child’s health after being exposed to cold weather, contact your provider at Pediatrics West at (720) 284-3700.