okanagan4kids.com winter activity guide 2013

Winter Bucket List

page 16Winter Immune Boost

page 12DIY Winter Activities

page 8

Activity GuideWinter

20132013

HeArtWArmInG WInter reADs: great winter reads for those indoor days page 18

WinterActivity Guide

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Okanagan4Kids.com Winter Activity Guide | 2013

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Okanagan4Kids.com Winter Activity Guide | 2013www.okanagan4kids.com

in this issue:

welcome...Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

It is officially winter in the Okanagan and it is an excellent opportunity to spend some quality time with your family. Whether you want to cozy up by the fire reading a great book to your kids or bundling up for some snow fun, our winter guide is full of great ideas for winter family fun!

Since it is our last e-guide of 2013, we wanted to thank you for reading, sharing and creating a vibrant Okanagan parent community! We love providing you with valuable local parenting and event information. n

Jen & Sue

food was meant to be played with!

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family friendly events

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fun diy winter activities

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Christmas Crafts: Melting snowman ornaments

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winter immune Boost

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public ice skating schedule

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2013 winter Bucket List

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heartwarming winter reads

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family day Challenge

Happy Holidaysfrom everyone at Okanagan4Kids.com

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SaturdayMarch 8, 2014at The New Life Church (across from Toys ‘R‘ Us)

10am to 3pmWith special guests Bobs & Lolo

in support of

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winter break is quickly approaching; do you know what this means? Kids are out of school! get them into the kitchen and teach them what they don’t learn in school. how to make healthy snacks that are quick, creative and fun! not only will they learn many skills that will prove to be useful to them later in life. they will have fun doing it and they will have memories that will last a lifetime.

Last winter break I made a fun and healthy picnic with my kids. We laid a blanket on the floor to sit on as we ate chocolate for breakfast. Yes I said it, chocolate for breakfast and it’s healthy! Not just chocolate though, raw chocolate. We cut up all kinds of fruit to dip in our raw chocolate fondue; we even made raw brownies bites and raw chocolate pudding! What kid doesn’t love chocolate? The amazing thing about raw chocolate is how incredible it is for our health.

I could write a whole article on the amazing health benefits of raw cacao (used in making raw chocolate) but for now I will just keep it short and sweet. Raw cacao helps with lowering your bad cholesterol and your blood pressure. It contains 10 times the amount of antioxidants as blueberries! It also aids in

weight loss. How so? Raw cacao contains appetite suppressant properties which help with controlling hunger. Because it is so rich and full of minerals such as magnesium, iron and zinc you don’t need to eat a lot throughout the day because your body is getting what it needs.

Remember that kids love to be involved. Encourage your kids to pick a new healthy recipe to try out. Or get them to choose a new fruit or veggie they have never seen or tasted next time you’re at grocery store. Here is a recipe to help get you started!

sKInnY DIP – “raw chocolate pudding”You will need:• 2 Ripe Avocados• ½ cup RAW Wild Honey (or less, to taste)

• ¼ cup Raw Cacao Powder (or Carob)• 2 Tbsp. Coconut oil• Vanilla • Dash of Sea Salt

Place everything into a blender or food processor and blend on high until very smooth.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

This is a great recipe, its fast and simple with a delicious taste; it can be used as a dip for fruit or icing on a raw brownie. n

Contributed by Sandy Kirchner, founder of the RAW Root Cellar. Find her on Facebook @The RAW Root Cellar

Food was made to be played with...

SaturdayMarch 8, 2014at The New Life Church (across from Toys ‘R‘ Us)

10am to 3pmWith special guests Bobs & Lolo

in support of

Family Après ski4:00pm to 6:00pm/7 days a week

This is an après-ski that takes place in the Moose Lounge in Happy Valley Day Lodge. Drink/food specials are always on and it’s a great way to get a bite to eat or have a warm drink after a day on the slopes with the family!

Bingo night6:30pm to 8:00pm/Tuesday Nights

Bingo night is a great way to spend an evening with the family! It takes place in Happy Valley Day Lodge, you have the opportunity to win some pretty nifty prizes like free tubing passes for the kids, group lessons from our Ski and Board School and more. It’s an incredibly popular event that everyone really looks forward to!

minute to Win It6:30pm to 8:30pm/ Wednesday evenings

Our events crew will present you with unique challenges to be completed in one minute,

complete the task and move onto the next round! Just like the game show! Minute to Win It in Happy Valley is designed for the whole family to get involved! Cheer each other on as these seemingly simple tasks are attempted with the chance to win tons of prizes.

Bonfire & Hot Chocolate5:00pm to 6:30pm/Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (every day of the week during Christmas Holidays)

On these days of the week we serve complimentary hot chocolate at the bonfire, beside the skating rink, just outside of The Happy Valley Day Lodge. On Saturdays we also serve S’mores free to the public!

Carnival night6:30pm to 8:00pm/Thursday and Saturdays

Our famous carnival night is fun for the whole family! The games are all out for the kids along with the popcorn and cotton candy. This will be the kids’ favorite night on the hill as they

participate in carnival games to win some fantastic prizes in the Village Centre Mall! The Loose Moose likes to make an appearance as well!

trivia night at the moose Lounge7:00pm to 9:00pm/Fridays

Come test your wits against our challenging quiz master to win prizes! Fantastic food and drink specials at the Happy Valley Day Lodge. Great with your whole family or even solo! Every week there is a theme and a chance to win some awesome prizes!

Fireworks8:30pm/every Saturday night!

Beautiful display of fireworks happens in Happy Valley every Saturday night. ! n


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Family Friendlyevents at

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Coming in February...2014 spring Break GuideJam packed with ideas of how to keep the kids entertained during the school break

Contact us to book your space!

email [email protected]

Capri Centre Mall - Lower Level Phone: 250.979.2777 Details at www.valleylanes.net Licensed Concourse Service

BOWLING PARTIES ARE

AWESOME Have a BALL & leave cleanup to us

YOUTH LEAGUES

FORMING NOW Try it out. First Day is FREE


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c o l d w e a t h e r f u n


spray painting snow with water and food colouringPurchase a plastic spray bottle at a dollar store and fill it with water. Place a few drops of food colouring into the water, then shake the bottle gently to mix. If you purchase several spray bottles, you can fill each bottle with a different colour, so children can find their inner Picasso, with the snow as their canvas! Be sure and dress your child in something that you are not stressed about becoming stained, as the spray bottle mixture may stain clothing.

make ‘snow pirates’Arg, matey! Your yard will have the best (and probably only!) snow pirates on the block! Fashion a pirate hat from newspaper (click here for link). A piece of black felt or cloth, attached to black yarn, would make a wonderful eye patch for your scurvy snow pirate!

snow people glovesWith twigs for arms, your child’s snow person might get cold ‘hands’. Start saving old socks (either ones with missing partners or ones with holes). They’ll make great ‘gloves’!make snow circlesStart collecting empty paper towel rolls. Cut them into several pieces. Your child can pack snow into each piece, creating snow circles that could be used as wheels for a ‘snow car’, or whatever your child’s imagination leads them to create!

snow ball rolling races or obstacle courseThis activity is fairly self-explanatory. Have your child roll a snow ball on a snow-free surface (like a freshly shovelled driveway) to race to the finish line.

Whose print is that? Try and match everyone’s boot print to the ones in the snow. This activity would be great for learning about sizes, patterns and shapes. Most winter boots have interesting patterns on the bottom. Your child can be a detective and see if they can match the designs in the snow to the bottom of everyone’s boots!

When the weather becomes too cold for your child or for yourself, here are some indoor winter activities your child is sure to enjoy!

snowflake ornamentsThese ornaments can be made with craft sticks or cotton swabs, glued together to form a snowflake shape. Add glitter glue, or regular glue and a small shaker of glitter and watch what your child creates! Be prepared for a sparkly mess at the end, though!

styrofoam ball snow peoplePurchase different sizes of Styrofoam balls. These balls can be glued together to create snow people. Your child can then decorate their snow person however they like! Provide

things such as glue, buttons and multi-coloured construction paper and watch their imagination in action!

Paper chainsRed and green construction paper strips, glued or stapled together, to form a chain. Then hang this chain somewhere in the house, to get everyone in a festive mood!

Cookie decoratingThis activity requires a bit more planning and effort on your part, but is still lots of fun and totally worth it! Plus, the results are super yummy!

Graham cracker houseSimilar to cookie decorating, effort and planning are required on your part. Find the link here to make a delicious, creative graham cracker house.

Playing outside is a wonderful, fun activity for children of all ages. Be aware, however, if the temperature drops below minus 15 celsius, being outside for a limited amount of time (typically no more than 15-30 minutes) with young children is advisable. n

Contributed by Jodi Quibell: writer, mother, Early Childhood Educator. Check out her blog at: www.apparentwisdom.com

With the season changing to winter, outside play remains an important factor in maintaining your child’s health. Here are some fun activities to enjoy with your child, to make their experience of winter even more enjoyable!

Cold weather fun!

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c h r i s t m a s c r a f t s


these melted snowman Ornaments are perfect to create with children of all ages! toddlers can help to fill ornaments with various snowman parts while school aged children will be able to make this ornament with very little adult help.

Supplies needed:• Clear ornaments (glass or plastic) plastic

ones are safe and super durable for preshoolers.

• Salt for snow (or clear glitter)• Orange polymer clay for noses (or card

stock or fun foam cut into triangles)• Black polymer clay for eyes and mouths

(or peppercorns or pom poms)• Brown polymer clay for arms (or sticks or

pipe cleaners)• Ribbon for scarves (or fabric)• Extra ribbon or jute for hanging the

ornaments

Instructions:Begin by creating snowman parts with the clay.

Use a pea sized piece of orange polymer clay to form each nose.

Use a pea sized piece of brown polymer clay to form each arm.

Roll many, many, small black polymer clay circles for eyes and mouths.

Bake as directed on the package. Usually 30 minutes at 275°.

Fill the ornament with 2-3 Tbsp of regular table salt.

Older children could make their own features out of polymer clay and fill the ornament with salt themselves.

Not wanting to take any chances with our twin boys who were toddlers at the time I set up a filling station - assembly line fashion worked best for them. And even after instruction some of our snowmen had three noses and ten eyes. hee hee

Finally string the ornament with jute or ribbon for hanging.

Holiday crafts that the whole family can participate in and enjoy are especially fun this time of year. These ornaments were so simple to put together that we made a whole bunch to give to the boys classmates as a Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas! n

Heather. www.twindragonflydesigns.com

melted snowman Ornamets

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Winter Immune Boostnutrition tips to keep your family healthy through cold seasonthe majority of your immune system resides in your gut. the lining of your gastro-intestinal (GI) tract is one of the first lines of defense against invading organisms and it is riddled with lymph tissues. It helps control inflammation and the chemical environment of your cells. Considering all this, it should not be a surprise that the health of your GI system is directly correlated with your overall health status. It should also not be shocking that there are certain immune-boosting “super foods” that you can feed your family to help fight through winter cold and flu season.

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Dr AmAnDA’s tOP 3 ImmUne BOOstInG nUtrIents

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the only vitamin whose biologically active form is actually a hormone. D3 (the most bioavailable form of Vitamin D) can be synthesized from cholesterol in sun-exposed skin during the summer, but in beautiful northern mountain towns like ours, there is a very high risk of deficiency in the winter months. Vitamin D enhances the activity of white blood cells in response to invaders. Supplementation is associated with reduced rates of illness and has been shown to reduce the incidence of respiratory infections in children. Food Sources: Eggs & Fish (Salmon, Tuna)

Vitamin C

Humans are one of the only species unable to synthesize their own Vitamin C, which is unfortunate considering how important Vitamin C is for the immune system. Vitamin C plays a role in facilitating the body’s ability to handle chemical stress during infection, injury, or chronic disease. It is one of your body’s favorite antioxidants and is essential for optimum function of white blood cells and other chemical messengers that direct the immune response. Vitamin C deficiencies sharply increase our vulnerability to infections.

Supplementation with Vitamin C enhances our immune system, especially against viruses, and has been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and duration of a cold. The good news is there are a lot of great dietary sources and it is a very safe nutrient with which to supplement. Here’s a tip: use “number two” as your guide. As you gradually increase your Vitamin C dose, pay attention to how soft your stool becomes. Once it gets too soft, back off a bit. That is your dose!Food Sources: Papaya, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Citrus, Strawberries, Green Peppers, Grapefruit.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral, not a vitamin. Many people are deficient in minerals today (possibly because our food is too “clean” and we are not regularly exposed to dirt). Zinc is ubiquitously distributed among the cells of the body and is the most abundant trace element within your cells. It is an important regulator of the immune response. Zinc deficiency is

particularly common in children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women. Zinc supplementation can significantly accelerate healing. It has been shown to reduce symptomatic days of a cold by almost half and can even reduce duration and severity of diarrhea in young children. It is especially effective against viruses when taken as a lozenge or tablet that dissolves in the mouth. Food Sources: Liver, Oysters, Lentils, Green Peas, Meat (Minor Amounts In Oatmeal And Eggs)

tOP FOODs tO AVOID

sugar

Sugar can decrease the function of your immune system almost immediately. It is a good idea to avoid excess sugar when you feel your body is fighting something, but avoiding it as part of your regular dietary habits will have a better effect over the long haul. Not only does excess sugar create an inflammatory environment in the body, but it is also a favorite food of many of the “bad guys” (yeast and bacteria in particular).

FrIenDLY HeLPers

ProbioticsThere is a dynamic interaction between your gut, your brain, and your immune system. The environment of critters living inside of you is called the microbiome. Not only do good bacteria in your gut improve digestion and nutrient absorption, but they also help fend off bad bacteria, viruses, and other invaders. Supplementing with probiotics improves many measures of general health, boosts the immune system, and reduces diarrhea in children (and adults). There are many different strands of good bacteria that reside in balance in a healthy gut, the most common of which are lactobacillis and bifido. Food Sources: Kefir, Tempeh, Sauerkraut, Kim Chi, Miso, Yogurt, Cheese

LIFestYLe COnsIDerAtIOns

sleep

Lack of sleep increases your chances of getting sick. Sleep deprivation reduces our ability to withstand infections from bacteria and viruses by altering the activity of our immune system cells and messengers. Recent research reports that sleep deprivation may actually

have the same effect on your immune system as physical stress. Lack of sleep can even worsen constipation, which is a risk factor for many diseases.

Tips for improved sleep

• No screen time an hour before bed.

• No stimulants (coffee) in the afternoon.

• Establish a “wind-down” routine.

• Create a cave in which to sleep. (A dark, quiet, slightly chilly environment.)

stress

High and long-term stress weakens your immune system and increase susceptibility to sickness. Your body will not be able to fight off the cold as well if you are living with chronic stress. Our perception of stress actually starts a cascade of chemical reactions that alter hormone responses and send chemical messenger to every part of our body. This is good when we need to run away from a bear, but has very serious long term consequences if left unchecked.

Restful sleep and a healthy diet are a great start to help your body combat stress. Doing physical activities you enjoy is a great way to wind down. Chatting with a life coach or counselor can be a great way to learn tools on how to properly manage stress as well.

Hygiene

A little hand washing can go a long way. One of the primary reasons that infectious diseases are no longer the top killers in developed countries is because of the advancements in hygiene. Clean drinking water, better toiletry habits, and basic sanitation help reduce your exposure to pathogens. Avoid going to public places and to the hospital just to visit if you feel you are fighting something. If someone in your home is sick, wash bedding and clothing more regularly and wipe down commonly used surfaces more frequently.

Our body’s ability to fight off the common cold and flu is pretty remarkable. Make sure you are providing it with all the essential nutrients, building blocks, and rest that it needs to fight so that it can serve you well. You may find you come out stronger and healthier on the other side. n

Contribued by Dr. Amanda Stevens from Valeo Health Clinic. www.valeohealthclinic.com


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Public Ice skating schedules

Schedules are subject to change. Please check with the arena for updated times.

Vernon

Kal Tire Place3445 43rd Ave250.542.5623www.kaltireplace.ca

Family SkateSundays from 6:15-7:45pm

Public SkateMon: 9:30-11:30am/1:45-3:30pm Wed: 9:30-11:30am/1:45-3:30pm/6:15-7:45pm Fri: 12:00-2:00pm

Centennial Outdoor Rink3310 37th Ave250.542.5623www.kaltireplace.ca

Sun: 9.00-11.00am/2.30-4.00pmMon: 6.30-8.00pmTues: 3.00-5.00pm/7.00-8.30pmThurs: 3.00-4.30pmFri: 3.00-4.00pm/6.30-8.00pm

Sat: 8.30-10.00am/5.00-7.00pm

Lake Country

Winfield Arena Ice Skating Rink9830 Bottom Wood Lake Road (250) 766-3030www.lakecountry.bc.ca

Weds: 7:10-8:15pm until December 20th

Kelowna

Stuart Park Rink1435 Water Street250.469.8800 ext. 4www.kelowna.ca

Open daily from 6am-11pm weather permitting

Memorial Arena1424 Ellis St

Shall we Dance Adult SkateMon: 2.00-3.00pm

Senior SkateThurs: 1.15-2.30pm

Rutland Arena645 Dodd Rd

Senior SkateTues: 9.00-10.00am

Parent & Tot SkateTues: 10.15-11.15am

Public SkateSat: 1.00-3.15pmSun: 3.00-5.15pm

Capital News Centre4105 Gordon Drive

Public SkatesTues: 6.30-7.45pmWeds: 6.30-7.45pmFri: 6.30-7.45pmSat: 6.30-7.45pm

Family Holiday SkateSun Dec 15: 3.00-5.15pm


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Your 2013 Winter Bucket ListLooking for some fun and exciting new activities to keep the family entertained this win-ter? the search is over! okanagan4Kids.com has published a blog series, 100 Fun things every Family should Do together, and we wanted to share some of it with you! there are lots of great suggestions for every budget.

Hit the slopes! Whether you are a family of experienced skiers or you have never tried it before, you’ve got to take a trip to one of the nearby ski hills at least once. Every local ski resort offers a great variety of options for every skill level, plus tons of other activities for those who can’t or just don’t want to ski. However you choose to enjoy the mountain, it will be a fantastic trip, and the scenery alone is worth it.

Check out your local museumHelp your kids learn about the Okanagan’s heritage at one of our fabulous local museums. Okanagan4Kids.com has a list of all the areas museums and galleries.

Go Christmas CarolingEveryone appreciates hearing the happy sounds of carollers during the holiday season. Churches and clubs are great places to hook up with a group to sing with, and if you look at the Events Calendar on Okanagan4Kids.com you may find a few more. It’s a wonderful way to share the magic of Christmas with friends and strangers, and you will be sure to brighten up someone’s day.

Family sundays at the Kelowna Art Gallery A great way to expose your kids to the arts by participating in creative, hands-on art-making activities! There is a new project theme every week. www.kelownaartgallery.com

Have a snowball Fight! Who can resist packing a snowball and surprising the first person who comes within throwing range? Make it a family affair after a fresh snowfall – everyone gets a little exercise and it’s a great excuse to warm up later with

hot cocoa and marshmallows while you cozy up and watch an old movie (or a new one.) Just remember to play fair.

Join a reading Club All your local public libraries have reading clubs for beginner, intermediate and advanced readers. Discover the world of books that are waiting out there for you and your family!

Go tobogganing Down a Big HillMost communities have a favourite toboggan hill – if you don’t know where to find one, ask around. Someone is sure to tell you the best place to go. Somehow, climbing a big hill in the snow is a lot of fun when you are anticipating the thrill of sliding to the bottom on your toboggan (inner tubes work great too!)

Go Bowling! Bowling is an awesome activity for rain, summer or winter. There are several bowling alleys in the Valley that participate in the Kids Bowl Free program during the summer months. Check out www.kidsbowlfree.com for full details.

Go Ice skatingAlmost as soon as the kids have learned to walk, they are old enough to start learning how to skate. There is a community ice rink near you, and it doesn’t cost a lot to take the whole family out for some great old fashioned fun and exercise. If you’re a bit more adventurous, you can probably find an outdoor rink too.

Decorate the House! It doesn’t even have to be Christmas, but you can enjoy making beautiful winter decorations

for both inside and outside of your house with some simple and inexpensive crafts that everyone can help with.

take a Christmas Lights tourWho has the best holiday decorations in your community? One sure way to find out is to take a tour and see them all! Mom and Dad don’t have to drive, so they can sit back and enjoy the sights along with the rest of the family. Many of these tours help to support the food banks and other charities, so you will feel good about helping a worthy cause.

ride the Kettle Valley steam railway Christmas trainHere’s a fantastic trip that will take you back the “the olden days” as you ride the rails and see the sights. Book early to make sure they save you a seat!

Have a night Out at the theatreSee a live musical theatre performance at any of the fantastic theatres throughout the Okanagan Valley.

meet santa Claus! What more can we say? Santa makes appearances all over the Okanagan in December, so don’t miss your chance to see him and all his helpers.

There’s LOTS more to see and do and Okanagan4Kids.com is adding new activities and events all the time. Check in often and we’ll keep you posted on all the family fun we can find! Now go out there and get busy! n

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Your 2013 Winter Bucket List


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Heartwarming winter picture books

• Old Bear and His Cub by Olivier Dunrea

• Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

• Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic

• Snow Dog, Go Dog by Deborah Heiligman

• Pip & Squeak by Ian Schoenherr

• Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

• Rabbit’s Gift: A Fable from China by George Shannon

• Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean Pendziwol

Get outside! Winter activity books

• Snow Play: How to Make Forts & Slides & Campfires by Birgitta Ralston

• The Wild Weather Book: Loads of Things to Do Outdoors in Rain, Wind and Snow by Fiona Danks

• Snow Amazing: Cool Facts and Warm Tales by Jane Drake

• Building Snow Forts

by Dana Meachen Rau

• Let’s Look at Winter by Sarah L. Schuette

• Explore Winter! by Maxine Anderson

• Snowy Science: 25 Cool Experiments by Shar Levine

Submitted by: Ashley Machum. Youth Services Librarian Kelowna Branch, Okanagan Regional Library

Winter is a wonderful time to share books with your family. Below are some great book suggestions for the wintery months ahead. snuggle up with a mug of cocoa and stay warm inside reading or put your mittens on and get outside for some wintery fun!

Heartwarming Winter reads

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BIRTHDAYPARTIES

BIRTHDAYPARTIES


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We get it; we are all busy and our lives feel heavy with events, with little time to spare for family togetherness.

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.” - Stephen R. Covey

This is why Jeff Hoffart of ED-ucation Publishing and Jessica Lahrs of Story is Yours have collaborated, in order to host an event that reminds us to reflect on what is important in our lives and, more importantly, who are those important people within our lives.

On February 10, 2014, you and your family can take part in the first ever “Family Day Challenge”, held in Kelowna, B.C.! Our goal is to provide opportunities to build stronger

relationships in our families, our communities, and the world.

So, what does this look like? Families will create a personalized action plan, making decisions together to commit to challenges like: cook with your kids, create a family garden, create family rituals (e.g. games night), watch a documentary with your kids instead of a movie, meet your neighbors, etc…

Beyond your immediate family, the day is also about our larger sense of family or community. “Our family in fact, is not just those who share our genetics, or our memories, or our time, but those we choose to love. And although we are busy writing the story of our own lives, if we are mindfully present we can learn to connect with each person we come into contact with and treat them with kindness and compassion.

In those moments, our family expands far beyond our bloodline and encompasses the human race.” - Tosca Killoran

The Family Day Challenge event will be held on February 10, 2014, with different start times available. Families can purchase $25 tickets for the entire family! You will walk away with a personalized family action plan, free gifts, and great ideas to build stronger relationships in your family, community and beyond!

If you miss the event, you can still take the challenge online, after the event date. This event has a limited number of tickets, so act quickly.

Join us at www.FamilyDayChallenge.com to register today! n

Whether your kids are young and living at home, away at college or with families of their own, it is important to stay connected. It’s time to bring your family closer together by making family time a priority, where every person feels loved, valued and heard.

Family Day ChallengeBringing families together...one challenge at a time

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okanagan

available early 2014

the essential guide for all things baby and child

2013 Baby &

Toddler Guide

OUT NOW

okanagan4kids.com winter activity guide 2013

Documents

winter guide

great winter

winter activity guide

winter family fun

winter immune boostpage

diy winter activitiespage

winter bucket listpage

raw chocolate fondue