LEARN, EXPLORE, and MOVE with us! These ideas can be adapted and used in a home setting or classroom setting. Follow along for our book recommendations, fantastic resources for learning more about birds, a simple binoculars craft for backyard bird watching, bird-themed Simon Says, songs about birds, and even bird-themed yoga!
WinterKids Zoom Backgrounds (& Desktop Backgrounds)
Show your WinterKids pride during your next Zoom meeting, or simply improve your daily desktop view with these backgrounds from the WinterKids Downhill 24 and Welcome to Winter!
DIY Stick Rafts For Rainy Day Water Play
We were inspired by “I LOVE the Rain” (one of our books of the month) to make little stick rafts for bugs and fairies! We anxiously waited for a rainy day to bring enough puddles and streams, so that we could give this a try. Next time it’s raining where you are, gather your supplies, slip on those rain boots and raincoats, and head outside to create your own stick rafts!
How To Support Local Businesses While Social Distancing
Remember when you asked that small business to support your fundraiser? Now is the time to support them. Here are 5 ways you can help, and a list of businesses who have contributed to WinterKids programs.
Celebrating Volunteer Week 2020 With Interviews & Great Memories
Volunteer Week 2020 is upon us, and we are celebrating a great winter 2019/2020 season that would not have been possible without our dedicated WinterKids volunteers! We wanted to learn more about why WinterKids volunteers are so passionate and dedicated, so we reached out to a few of our long-standing volunteers. Here’s what they had to say…
Books of the Month: Spring is Springing!
Spring is in the air, it’s a fun time of year to teach the kids about all the new things they can see and do outside whether rain or shine!
8th Annual WinterKids Downhill 24 At Sugarloaf Mountain: Photos & Results
An epic WinterKids Downhill 24 at Sugarloaf Mountain is now on the books, shattering all previous fundraising records for this, our 8th year of the event, and 5th year at Sugarloaf Mountain!
WinterKids gives $25,000 to Sugarloaf Ski Club
Skiers and snowboarders raised $562,000 at the WinterKids Downhill 24 and the organization chose to support the local kids in Franklin and Somerset counties by giving $25,000 to the Sugarloaf Ski Club’s King’s Kids Fund.
The Impact of WinterKids Winter Games, According to the Top 3 Winning Schools in 2020
We wanted to learn more about the impact the WinterKids Winter Games made this season, so we reached out to our top three winning schools, Prescott Memorial, Jonesport Elementary, and Dr. Levesque Elementary to share their experiences. Here’s what they had to say…
Book of the Month: Keep Them Busy & Curious as We Transition from Winter to Spring
Our March books of the month will keep your kids busy and curious as we transition out of winter and into…spring!
App Deals of the Month: March
March is your last chance to use several winter offers in the WinterKids App! Many of the winter offers expire at the end of March, so use them before they disappear! Here are some of our favorites…
WinterKids Winter Games 2020 Wrap Up Report
The WinterKids Winter Games 2020 got 32 Maine schools (2 in every county in Maine), including 7,332 kids and 1087 teachers and support staff to take their classrooms outside this winter, learning, playing, and taking advantage of the magic that is Winter in Maine! Here’s a play by play rundown of what happened during this year’s Winter Games!
WEX, Inc.: Deeply Engaged in Volunteering, Advocating, and Giving Back
We’re honored to have the support of WEX, Inc. on several fronts. We reached out to Gabriel Weiss and Melissa Dudley to learn more about their commitment to programs like WinterKids. Here’s what they had to say.
Knox County School Takes the GOLD in the 3rd Annual WinterKids Winter Games!
On January 6, students and staff at 32 elementary schools around the state will participate in WinterKids’ third annual WinterKids Winter Games. This outdoor physical activity and nutrition competition encourages young children to develop healthy habits over the course of the four-week program. Each school will try to earn as many points as possible for the grand prize: $5,000 donated to their school. In total 7,332 students and 1,113 teachers and staff from every county in Maine (2 schools per county) will be participating in the Winter Games.
Carnaval Maine Raises $25,000 for WinterKids
Carnaval Maine’s inaugural three-day festival took place on Portland’s Eastern Promenade January 30 through February 2, 2020, with a mission of delivering meaningful and measurable economic, community and charitable impact. As Beneficiary, WinterKids Was Thrilled to Receive $25,000.
WinterKids Downhill 24: A Brief History & What’s New for 2020
The WinterKids Downhill 24 has become one of our most anticipated events of the year, not just because of the fun we have, but also because of the important role it plays in raising funds for WinterKids programs. Learn how it grew to be our biggest fundraiser, and what’s new for 2020!
Book of the Month: Learn How Nature Stays Warm & Busy When it’s Snowy
Our book of the month for February teaches how nature stays warm and busy when it’s snowy outside. Whether you’re dealing with cabin fever or just looking for a fun new perspective when getting the kids outside in the snow, Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner (author) and Christopher Silas Neal (Illustrator) will reveal nature’s secret life beneath the snow.
Winter Games Wild Card Winners, Week 4: Leroy H. Smith School
Maine Women Magazine Feature: Snow Queen
This February, Maine Women Magazine featured women who are “conquering winter” here in Maine! Among the many incredible women included in the Feb edition was our own Executive Director, Julie Mulkern, in an article titled “Snow Queen”!
App Deals of the Month: February
See what’s new, and what deals are expiring soon in the app so you can get out there and have tons of outdoor fun this February!
Winter Games Wild Card Winners, Week 3: Prescott Memorial School
Winter Games Wild Card Winners, Week 2: West Bath School
Winter Games Wild Card Winners, Week 1: Dr. Levesque Elementary
Julie Mulkern, on Experiencing Winter
WinterKids Executive Director, Julie Mulkern, knows a thing or two about getting kids outside in the winter. As a mom of two young boys, she sees first-hand, on a daily basis, the benefits of getting her kids outside and active regardless of the time of year.
