Two-time Olympic champion and mother of three, Helen Glover, has revealed her top strategies for motivating families to venture outdoors during the chillier, wetter winter months. The British rower acknowledges that many households require an "extra push" when temperatures drop, as new research highlights a dramatic decline in children's outdoor activity.
Alarming Drop in Winter Outdoor Time
A comprehensive survey of 1,000 parents with children aged 4 to 12 has uncovered concerning trends. During winter, youngsters spend merely five hours per week outside, a significant reduction from the nine hours recorded in summer. Shockingly, 31 percent of children are outdoors for 20 minutes or less each day in the damper, colder seasons.
The study, commissioned by discount supermarket Aldi, found that seven in ten parents observe their children entering a "hibernation mode" when weather conditions worsen. A overwhelming 86 percent of mothers and fathers admitted they need a specific excuse or task to encourage their family to brave the elements.
Common Excuses and Reluctance
Children frequently protest outdoor excursions with familiar complaints such as "I'll catch a cold" or "I'm busy doing my homework." This reluctance extends beyond activity to nutrition, with many parents reporting decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables during winter. Thirty-eight percent attribute this to the unavailability of preferred choices like strawberries and watermelon, while 25 percent note their children's aversion to seasonal produce such as cabbage and sprouts.
The Connection Between Activity and Nutrition
Helen Glover has partnered with Aldi to mark the ten-year anniversary of its Get Set to Eat Fresh programme, which receives an additional £2 million in funding over the next five years. This initiative, delivered alongside Team GB and ParalympicsGB, provides schools with free educational resources linking food, movement, and wellbeing.
Encouragingly, the research indicates that outdoor activity can positively influence eating habits. Forty-two percent of parents find it easier to persuade their children to consume more fruits and vegetables following physical exertion outdoors, highlighting the dual benefits of fresh air and exercise.
Practical Parental Strategies
To boost nutritional intake, parents employ creative methods like mixing vegetables into pasta or rice dishes (27 percent) and preparing nutrient-packed smoothies (25 percent). Helen Glover empathises with the struggle, stating, "I totally understand why so many families slip into 'hibernation mode' when it's cold and wet. Sometimes you do need that extra push to get out."
Helen Glover's Adventure-Based Approach
For families seeking motivation, Glover recommends framing outings as "small adventures rather than big plans." She advises, "We throw on a warm layer, head outside and see where it takes us – whether that's a quick walk, jumping in muddy puddles or building a den. I often notice the kids come back happier and much more settled afterwards."
The research also identified the outdoor activities parents are most eager to try with their children during colder seasons. Popular choices include building campfires, ice skating, birdwatching, winter scavenger hunts, toasting marshmallows over an open flame, and constructing dens or outdoor hideaways.
Comprehensive Activity Recommendations
Helen Glover's extensive list of family-friendly winter activities encompasses:
- Treasure or scavenger hunts
- Toasting marshmallows over a fire
- Building a campfire
- Going camping
- Birdwatching
- Building a den or outdoor fort
- Winter walks through woods
- Roller skating
- Exploring woodland trails
- Feeding winter birds or wildlife
- Climbing trees
- Surfing or bodyboarding
- Orienteering
- Skateboarding
- Playing ball games
- Playing with a frisbee
- Jumping in puddles
- Playing running games like tag or chase
- Kicking piles of leaves
- Hula hooping
Parental Needs and Community Support
When asked what would facilitate more outdoor excursions, parents suggested practical and social solutions. These include increased availability of free or low-cost events and attractions, covered areas for use during inclement weather, clearer information on local routes (27 percent), and better-lit outdoor spaces (26 percent) for confidence during darker periods.
Julie Ashfield, spokesperson for Aldi UK, commented, "We've spent the last 10 years supporting schools across the UK with free resources that help children understand the connection between eating well and staying active, in a fun and practical way. We want families to feel supported with simple ideas that are realistic for everyday life whilst offering great value on fresh produce - so healthy choices feel more achievable all year round."
This collaborative effort between an Olympic champion and a major retailer underscores the importance of maintaining active, healthy lifestyles throughout the winter, transforming seasonal challenges into opportunities for family bonding and wellbeing.
