Posted on November 25th, 2025

In Wisconsin, Thanksgiving doesn’t arrive with gentle breezes and light sweaters. It usually shows up with wind, gray skies, and that familiar internal negotiation:

“Should we just stay inside today?”

The days are shorter, the air is sharper, and our homes are suddenly full of people, noise, food, and screens. It’s cozy—and it can also be a lot for everyone’s nervous system.

In all of that, one of the simplest, most powerful things we can offer ourselves and our kids is easy to forget:

💨 Step outside. Even when it’s cold. Especially when it’s cold.

The Sleet Walk That Shifted My Perspective

Last week, I went for a walk on a nearby trail in the sleet.

To be honest, it wasn’t an appealing idea at first. My brain offered all the usual lines:

• “It’s miserable out.”
• “I’ll wait for a better day.”
• “This is not cozy at all.”

But something in me knew I needed to move my body and challenge my own story about the weather, so I went anyway.

As the sleet hit my face and the path crunched under my boots, I realized: it wasn’t actually misery—it was sensation. The gray sky, the cold air, the wetness on my coat… it was all very real, and it woke something up in me.

By the time I got back to my car, I felt invigorated. My mind was clearer, my mood was lighter, and I was reminded of an important truth:

The weather isn’t the enemy.
Often, my belief about the weather is.

And it reminded me of something practical: being outside in the cold is so much easier when you have good gear.

Good Gear, Good Experiences – and Giving Back

For many families, the biggest barrier to outdoor play in the cold isn’t lack of interest—it’s lack of functional winter clothing:

• A coat that actually blocks the wind
• Boots that keep feet dry
• Hats, mittens, and scarves that stay on
• Snow pants durable enough for rolling, climbing, and tumbling

If you’ve ever tried to teach kids to “love nature” while they’re shivering, you know how fast an outing can go from peaceful to miserable.

As we head into Thanksgiving, this is a powerful moment to think about both our own outdoor rituals and how we can support others.

Consider:

• Going through your closets with your kids
• Setting aside gently used coats, boots, hats, and snow pants
• Donating them to a local coat drive, school, shelter, or community program

You can even make it a yearly tradition:

“Every Thanksgiving, we donate winter gear so more kids can play outside too.”

This simple act:

• Helps other children enjoy the benefits of outdoor play
• Teaches kids empathy, community, and shared responsibility

Why Outside Time Matters for Kids (and Adults)

When kids get outside—even briefly—their bodies and brains get what they need:

Resetting the nervous system

Movement, fresh air, and natural light help regulate stress hormones and support emotional balance.

Supporting brain + motor development

Snow, ice, uneven terrain, and playground structures all challenge coordination, problem solving, and sensory integration.

Processing big feelings

Holiday gatherings bring sensory overload, big emotions, and schedule changes. Outside time gives those feelings a safe place to go.

And for adults?

A short walk or simply standing outside in the cold can provide a reset from noise, to-do lists, and hosting duties. Just 10 minutes can shift the energy of the entire day.

Simple Ways to Get Outside Around Thanksgiving

You don’t need perfection—you just need something small and repeatable.

Here are gentle, realistic ideas for Wisconsin Thanksgiving week:

1. The After-Dinner (or Pre-Dessert) Walk

Make it a family ritual:

“After we eat, we all go outside for a few minutes.”

Kids can:

• Crunch leaves
• Look for leftover pumpkins
• Spot early holiday lights

2. The Gratitude Walk

Pick a short route and have each person share one thing they’re grateful for at each stop (mailbox, corner, driveway).

“I’m grateful for mashed potatoes” absolutely counts.

3. Backyard Micro-Adventures

Try small, cozy activities like:

• Drawing shapes in frost or snow
• Making frozen nature art
• Finding “the strangest stick” or coolest pattern in ice

4. Screen + Outside Rhythm

Instead of saying “no screens,” try:

• “We’ll watch the game, and during halftime we go outside for 10 minutes.”
• “You can play until 3:00, then we take a fresh-air break.”

Screens become part of the day—not the whole day.

Supporting Sensitive or Reluctant Kids

Not every kid loves the cold. Some are highly sensitive to wind, wet clothes, or bulky gear. That’s okay.

You can:

• Acknowledge their feelings:
  “Your body is telling you this feels really cold. That makes sense.”
• Give them a role:
  “You’re the frost-spotter today.”
  “You choose our route.”
• Keep the bar low:
  Success might be:
  Standing on the porch
  Walking to the mailbox
  Going out for 3–5 minutes

Any amount of real outdoor time is a win.

A Note for Caregivers

If you’re carrying a lot this season, stepping outside may feel like another task. But it doesn’t have to be big.

You might:

• Step out with a warm drink and take 5 deep breaths
• Walk once around the yard
• Take one child on a quick walk-and-talk

No elaborate planning. Just meeting your kids in the real weather is powerful.

A Gentle Thanksgiving Invitation

As we move into Thanksgiving in Wisconsin, here’s a gentle invitation:

Choose one small outdoor moment each day this week.

• A morning sky-check
• A short walk after a meal
• A few minutes in the yard before bed
• A coat donation outing with your kids

Not to be perfect.
Not to earn anything.
But simply to remember:

Our bodies and hearts need real air, real light, and real seasons—even when (and especially when) it’s cold.

If you’d like support creating realistic rhythms of outdoor time, play, and screen use for your family, I offer custom parent coaching and guidance plans through Peaceful Practice. Together, we can design routines that fit your actual life in Wisconsin—holidays, winter, and all.