WinterKids is an industry leader dedicated exclusively to inspiring and increasing outdoor physical activity for children and families in Maine, turning our longest season into a time of adventure, health, and connection.
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Participants reached through WinterKids programs since 2010!
Celebrating 25 Years of Joyful Outdoor Winter Learning and Play!
I think the WinterKids [Learn Outside Guide] is great!! There are so many things that can be done to help get kids moving, yet connect it back to many areas of education as well. ELC is an alternative school for students who just can't seem to work in a public school setting. We generally try to do activities that do get them outside and moving since the kids we work with tend to do better with hands on activities.
Early Learning Center, New Hampshire
I had such great opportunities growing up to ski and snowboard in the Maine mountains, so I am glad to give back by reaching out to kids and encouraging them to get outside and participate in healthy winter sports. WinterKids creates those opportunities for kids.
Two-time Olympic champion in the snowboard cross / Winterstick
The WinterKids Guide to Outdoor Active Learning has brought so much to our school, not just in ways that keep the children physically active but also in ways to keep them engaged socially and emotionally. Many of the activities are geared to get the children working together and becoming a team, no winners, no losers...just kids having fun.
The kids were so excited to go outside and therefore were more engaged in the lesson. It was also a great way for me to get a quick check in on the where the kids were with these skills.
Brown Elementary, New Hampshire
Let's just say several parents told me their students were sleeping better at night and at school we've had much less behavior issues this week! Two very big positives for WinterKids Winter Games challenge week #2!!
Principal / Miles Lane Elementary
It has been inspirational to watch our community unite around a common purpose of healthy, active kids.
Assistant Principal / Waldo T. Skillen School
Being a parent and a WinterKids volunteer is a wonderful way to give back, but it also brings it full circle for me. My employer supports WinterKids and encourages my participation which makes it so easy to volunteer! Oh, and don't forget the WinterKids staff, they have FUN written all over them!
WinterKids Volunteer / TD Bank
WinterKids provides an opportunity to directly impact kids so they develop a love for the outdoors and learn how to make good choices about food and lifestyle. That excites me!
WinterKids Board President / Oldcastle Materials, Inc.
We were able to ski affordably and wouldn't have gotten to do this without the app. We also tried ice skating for the first time.
Because of this competition, my family is now rethinking our snack choices and making healthier ones, our kids and community have formed a wonderful bond coming together for one goal, and you managed to get a Mom, who hates winter and the cold, outside embracing the beauty of Maine having fun with her kids.
We tried cross country skiing for the first time & we all liked it. Lots of fun & a great discount on kids rentals.
How do you combine a community, school, home, nutrition, exercise, team, kids, parents, teachers, school spirit, awareness, and fun? Participate in WinterKids Winter Games!! Seriously had no idea how amazing this would be and what our community was capable of! The support and Camaraderie is incredible. What a positive experience this has been for our kids and all the parents too!
I am SO thankful for the impact this Winter Kids competition has on our kids. In this short time, the changes in attitudes, physical activity, even the helpfulness of students was very heart-warming.
Piscataquis Community Elementary School
We loved our WinterKids materials. The kids had so much fun using the animal track tracker. We spent many afternoons looking for new animal prints.
Wee Care Daycare, New Hampshire
Kudos to you and this organization for mapping out such a wonderful program for Maine schools. I have been blown away by every aspect of this initiative.
Principal / Waterboro Elementary School
Photo courtesy of Pine Street Elementary, in Presque Isle, Maine, during the closing ceremonies of the 2022 WinterKids Winter Games
Upcoming Events
Earth Day in July / Maine Outdoor Film Fest
This year’s Earth Day in July panel, “Cultivating an Outdoor Life and Environmental Mindset From an Early Age,” features our very own Tom Long, WinterKids’ Program & Environmental Sustainability Manager, along with fellow leaders from Teens to Trails, the Maine Aquaculture Association, and Memphis Rox Climbing + Community.
Salt Institute for Documentary Studies,
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101 United States
+ Google MapPortland, Maine 04101 United States
Welcome to Winter
This free event offers a chance to get outside and try new activities, including snowshoeing, Nordic and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow sculpting, and more, while enjoying hot chocolate and s’mores.
Lost Valley,
200 Lost Valley Road
Auburn, ME 04210 United States
+ Google MapAuburn, ME 04210 United States
9th Annual WinterKids Winter Games
Our unique annual academic challenge encourages outdoor physical activity, teamwork, and a passion for learning outdoors in winter.
Downhill 24
Downhill 24 is a 24-hour ski and ride challenge at Sugarloaf that supports WinterKids’ mission to get all Maine kids active outdoors in winter. Teams hit the slopes day and night, raising funds to help children move, learn, and explore through joyful winter play. It’s a celebration of community and the magic of Maine’s longest season. Ski. Ride. Raise. Repeat.
Recent WinterKids News
At WinterKids, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Their time, energy, and love for the outdoors help create joyful, active winter experiences for children and families across Maine.
In honor of National Volunteer Week 2025, we’re proud to spotlight a few of the incredible people who make our work possible. From longtime supporters to new faces, each brings something unique to our community—and we’re so grateful for their dedication.
The 13th Annual Downhill 24 at Sugarloaf Mountain was one for the books! From impressive fundraising totals to non-stop skiing and snowboarding under the lights, this 24-hour challenge brought together an incredible community of winter athletes, fundraisers, and supporters. Check out the final results, top fundraisers, and an exclusive photo gallery celebrating the biggest winter fundraiser in Maine. Whether you skied, donated, or cheered from the sidelines—this event proved that when we come together, we make a difference for kids across Maine!
