Playing With Kids

Keeping children active in the mountains is not very hard. This is a natural playground with many things to keep kids busy all day long.

Sunscreen Always

Ultraviolet radiation is 36 percent higher here than at sea level. Children have thinner skin than adults therefore are more susceptible to sunburn, even on a cloudy day. Protect your child’s skin with plenty of sunscreen, reapplying every three hours.

Food and Water

This may seem simple but food can sometimes be quite a distance away. Always carry something for the kids to snack on. A good energy bar is recommended. Don’t give them too much sugar or “junk food.” They are expending energy and need to replenish it with high-protein food. Make sure your children are drinking plenty of water. Children are more prone to dehydration than adults. Even when it’s cold outside and they aren’t thirsty, they need to stay hydrated. Have them drink water, not soda. Hydration packs come in kid sizes. (They think it’s cool to drink from them.)

Winter Vacation- Kid Style
Here is the understatement of the day: Kids spend more time in the snow than adults do. Children lose heat faster than adults do. Children have a larger head-to-body ratio than adults, making them more prone to heat loss through the head. Children may also ignore the cold because they’re having too much fun to think about it. They may not have the judgement to dress properly in cold weather or to get out of the cold when they should. This could apply to teenagers who want to be more fashion conscious than smart when dressing for cold weather.

For a warm and happy child, whatever the snow-related activity, follow this dress code:

• Socks and long underwear should be of a wicking material, never cotton that soaks up water.
• Jeans are also a big no-no. In cold weather, wet jeans retain water and get freezing cold. Wear water-resistant pants instead.
• Next comes a lightweight washable fleece, followed by a waterproof jacket.
• Goggles are always preferred over sunglasses.
• Gloves or mittens should be waterproof.
• Helmets are a must for skiing.

Make sure there are no drawstrings on coat hoods. They can get caught on equipment and pose a strangulation risk. Anything hanging around your child’s neck could get caught on a ski lift. This includes scarves, chains, ski passes, or anything else that could get caught. Take an extra moment to make sure any straps or cords are tucked inside the parka.

Renting or buying helmets for children engaged in skiing is a must, not an option. Helmets protect the head during hard falls or collisions and also provide warmth and comfort.

Have a Plan to Meet and Greet
Children (and adults) do get separated on the ski slopes. Always tell your children at which lift you will meet them on each run. Each lift has a phone and friendly lift operators to help find missing parents.

Check the Boards
Each lift has a message board. If your child is in a ski school program or if you are skiing with a group, keep an eye on the message board in case someone is trying to find you.
Feed and Water Them!

Final Tip: When skiing with small children, ask for assistance when loading a lift.

 

A Kid’s Summer Vacation Under Colorado Skies
This area is a natural playground for kids, but as we all know, vacationing with youngsters takes planning.  Here are some tips on keeping them happy and you sane. (See also activities on page 19)

Young children ages 3 to 5 like exploring in a small area. Find a pine grove and look for squirrels. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds. These tiny birds love red, so if you wear something red, hummingbirds may just fly near you. Stream banks are ideal places to look for animal tracks. Teach your child, however, that the mountains are not part of a “safari land.” While some animals are accustomed to people in the distance, do not try to get close. If you see a wild animal, be calm. Do not run into a meadow or cross a stream to get closer. Here’s a hint about watching a herd of deer moving past one another. They often flatten their ears, lower their heads or curl their tails between their legs. This is a form of deer social courtesy. They are signaling: “Everything’s fine. Everything’s o.k. Everything’s cool.”

School age children need daily physical activity, especially boisterous boys. Channel this abundant energy with river rafting or hikes up a mountain trail. Hormone-driven teens thrive on such activities as the climbing walls that can be found at Winter Park Resort, Snow Mountain Ranch and the new the Fraser Valley Recreation District’s Grand Park Recreation Center. The last two centers also have swimming pools and multi-sport gyms.

Kids will impress you with the number of times they can ride the Alpine Slide or bounce on the Leaps and Bounds Bungee. If you like playing 18 holes of golf, kids can play 54 holes of miniature golf – and still want more. Head to Winter Park Resort for family fun all summer long including Free Family movie nights on Fridays (July1-Labor Day weekend.)

School age children also need down time to just hang-out or participate in a quiet activity. Look into events where your teens can meet other kids. Hideaway Park in downtown Winter Park is a great place to hang out. There are events planned almost every weekend this summer. The skatepark is in the park and very popular.

Make ‘em catch dinner! The Lions fishing ponds are open to young anglers who want to have the thrill of catching a fish. Gear, tackle and fish stories available at Grand County Fishing Company in Fraser.

Become a junior ranger. Rocky Mountain National Park rangers and naturalists conduct numerous popular summer programs for children and families that include campfire talks, ranger-led hikes and the Junior Ranger program. Stop by Kawuneeche Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park, (970) 627-3471.

And as always with children of any age, take along something to snack on and water.