Indoor winter hike

By GreatSchools Staff

With fewer hours in the day and a lot less sunshine, winter can be a time when accomplishing even ordinary tasks seems like a challenge. But that doesn't mean parents have to forgo teaching altogether. To set your childrens' math wheels spinning, GreatSchools presents these fun but unusual activities with a seasonal theme.

What you'll need

• Imagination
• A fun attitude
• Hot chocolate

Make it happen

1. Look to the table below for help imagining a winter scene. (Feel free to change the places you visit or the ways you act them out.)

2. Call your children over and explain you'll be going on a "hike."

3. Prepare for the excursion by donning the appropriate imaginary clothing. If your kids look at you like a straitjacket might be the most appropriate choice, just keep up the act and encourage them to participate. "You'd better put on an extra pair of socks so your feet don't get cold. Do you want to wear the blue scarf or the red one with green polka dots?"

4. As you begin the hike, pay attention to the five senses and bring the wintry world alive by commenting on them:

• (As you shiver) "Brr. It's so cold out today. I'm glad you remembered your hat."
• "Those ice walls are enormous! Do you think we should try to climb over them or squeeze in between?"

5. Be flexible. If your children see a wolf, just go with it.

6. Have fun, but remember to practice those prepositions — try to include these words as often as seems reasonable.

7. Reserve the snow cave — and hot chocolate — as a reward for the end of your hike.

8. Enjoy!