Blog / There is no such thing as bad weather ….


May 17 2022,

There is no such thing as bad weather ….

There is no such thing as bad weather…………

Living in such an advanced world where technology is growing rapidly, research has revealed that children and adults are spending less time connected to nature. We have the tendency to look at the ‘weather app ’ and then decide on our schedule especially when it comes to outdoor play.

We are all familiar with the saying ‘There is no such thing as bad weather’, however  what can we do during the cold months or rainy days so children are still exposed to outdoor play? Here are some suggestions from Linda McGurk who wrote the book ‘There is no such thing as bad weather’ as she explores the benefits of  connecting children to nature, as well as some strategies to overcome extreme climates.  

Suggestions for cold and rainy weather:  

● As children are really active, the emphasis is on outer layers with reinforced areas over knees such as overalls and winter pants with snow locks at the leg opening and elastic bands that go under the foot.  We know it does not snow here in Sydney, but we have certainly had enough rain! 

● A good layering system is important for keeping kids warm. Start with a woolen or synthetic base layer and then add  another layer such as a fleece jacket and then add an outer waterproof layer  

● Look for boots that are waterproof and pair them with wool socks on rainy and cold days. Add in scarves and beanies as there is an old saying in Chinese that if your neck and head are warm, your blood circulation in your body will rise and that keeps your body warm. 

Suggestions for hot and humid weather: 

● Try going out early in the morning or early evening as the sun will be down by then.

● Seek more natural areas rather than man-made as equipment often attracts heat and trees have a cooling effect.  Try to incorporate water play in some ways with extra sunscreen and stay hydrated. 

● Experiences with ice such as freezing the trays and hiding some animals in them can also be a way to cool down as  children try to break the ice to ‘rescue’ the animals. 

● Lastly, if the baby is willing to, they can crawl in paint outside with just their nappies as they explore using their senses.  

Outdoor play develops crucial physical skills and allowing them to move freely outside makes them better at assessing risks.

As McGruk states in her book 'They learn that the world is not eternally cushioned for every fall’ which means they build resilience and the ability to make more informed decisions when it comes to risky play. Not all parents will agree with this saying, but we can try to adopt the attitude of 'freedom with responsibility’ where kids are expected to learn boundaries and as they mature, parents can expand the limits whilst also having fun with their children at the same time! 

Much love from the Team at Turtletot in Bexley - and may the good weather be with you!

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