As kids, winter days were gifts. The backyard became an expedition. The chill in the air wasn’t an obstacle — it was an ingredient for adventure. But as adults, the season became something to manage. We traded forts and fresh air for indoor routines and screens.

Here’s the thing: Kids haven’t forgotten how amazing winter can be. They’re still ready to bundle up and head out to play, explore and discover. They just need us to open the door.

In Edmonton, Canada, city planners discovered something while rethinking their relationship with the season: “We realized all our favorite memories were winter memories, and somehow as adults we lose that.” That realization sparked a citywide initiative to keep playgrounds open, clear trails and treat winter as a season worth celebrating — not just getting through.

The Norwegians have a word for it: friluftsliv — “free, outdoor life.” And a saying to match: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Shorter days and colder air aren’t barriers to play. They’re just another season to enjoy. For communities where snow is rare, the same mindset applies to rain puddles, frost-covered mornings and cool-weather exploration — a different experience with the same spirit of “play in every season” mindset.

Welcome to the Winter Wonderlab

When designing outdoor playspaces, we talk about how the right elements invite kids to explore, imagine and take the lead in their own play. That same spirit shows up naturally in winter.

A light snowfall can turn a familiar space into something new — a landscape to shape, trek across or discover. Cooler, shorter days bring different sights, sounds and textures that spark fresh ideas and movement.

The shift comes when we stop thinking about winter as something to get through and start seeing it as a season to thrive in — a chance to engineer new adventures and invite play in a whole new way.

Here are three ways to turn any outdoor space — backyard, schoolyard or community park — into a Winter Wonderlab:

Experiment #1: The Heavy-Work Snow Maze

Challenge kids to stomp out a massive maze in an open field or yard. The bigger, the better.

Why it works: Trudging through deep snow is incredible "heavy work" — the kind of full-body effort that occupational therapists recommend for calming the nervous system and building core strength. Kids get a workout without realizing it, and the maze becomes a game once it's built. Tag, races, treasure hunts — the play possibilities multiply.

Level up: Add dead ends, secret passages or a "finish line" with a prize like extra marshmallows in the next round of hot chocolate or create the maze near a playground and add in fun elements from the playspace into the maze.

Experiment #2: Frozen Engineering

Fill containers — cups, bowls, baking pans — with water and a few drops of food coloring. Set them outside overnight or use your indoor freezer if your weather stays above freezing. The next morning, you've got colorful ice bricks, orbs and sculptures ready for building.

Why it works: This is STEM learning that kids will love. They will learn about states of matter, structural engineering and planning and create something beautiful in the process. The translucent colors catch winter light in ways that feel almost magical.

Level up: Build an ice castle or igloo. Create a frozen art gallery. Hide small toys that have been living at the bottom of the toy box inside the ice and let kids excavate them as the ice melts.

Experiment #3: The Playground Challenge Course

Use the natural features of the landscape — varied ground textures, slight elevations, pathways and surrounding elements at your favorite playground to create a dynamic adventure obstacle course. Kids climb to reach the slide, weave through spaces beneath overhead climbers and swing on the swings as part of the full “course” experience.

Why it works: Changing outdoor conditions turn a playground into a fresh landscape for motor planning and exploration. The mix of familiar structures and evolving environmental elements encourages problem solving, builds confidence and keeps kids moving with purpose. It’s the kind of play that keeps them engaged because the experience shifts day to day.

Level up: Create multiple loop options, add playful challenges like “slide then jumping jacks” stations or time the course to spark friendly competition.

The Strategy of Warmth

None of this works unless everyone feels good outside. The secret isn’t toughness but rather thoughtful preparation that keeps play comfortable and enjoyable. Some strategies include:

Layering with intention. Start with a moisture-wicking base that holds warmth. Add insulating pieces that move with the body and finish with a shell built to block the wind and keep the adventure going. Adjust as you play — kids warm up quickly and will shed layers just as fast.

Fuel the fire. Cooler weather means bodies use more energy to stay warm, so keep spirits high with warm drinks, hand warmers and a well-earned post-adventure snack.

Mind the mindset. Here’s the real difference-maker: When adults welcome the season, kids do too. Treating winter as a fun experience and it becomes something to look forward to. Positivity spreads and it inspires everyone to keep moving, exploring and playing outside together.

From Temporary to Timeless

There’s a distinct kind of magic to winter play. The early sunsets, the crisp air, the way a light (or heavy!) snowfall can transform a familiar landscape mean each moment is fleeting. As the season shifts and the days grow longer, those experiences fold seamlessly back into the rhythm of everyday life and a new season emerges.

The Payoff

What makes winter play worth the extra layers is that kids who spend the colder months building, climbing, creating and exploring don’t just wait out the season. They step into spring with fresh eyes, new ideas and confidence shaped by months of problem solving and discovery in ever-changing conditions.

The child who designed a winter maze might approach the climbing structure in a new way. The one who built ice sculptures might bring that same experimental energy to a Sand & Water Spot.

So bundle up, head out and enjoy the magic of the season at home, at school or at your favorite local park.

Looking for playspace inspiration that lasts beyond the thaw? Connect with your local Burke representative to explore designs built for year-round adventure.