Resources for Families

WinterKids’ vision is that all kids are healthy and fit because they are outdoors, active, and having fun in the winter– and year-round. Check out these great resources for families to keep yours healthy and active in any season!

Web Based Family Resources

Websites

National Geographic Family – Free e-access on tips to explore and learn as a family
Mindfulmazing Shop – Free e-news and free downloadable pdfs for child mindfulness
National Park Service – Children’s portal to the National Park Service
USDA Kids’ Corner – Children’s nutritional info
Fuel Up to Play 60 – Brain Break Ideas
Go Noodle – Free online resources for kids and families to stay active and mindful with off-screen family activities, arts and crafts ideas, yoga, mindfulness exercises, and other movement activities.
YOGAed – Free yoga classes, mindfulness and relaxation activities.
National Public Radio Circle Round Podcast
The CIAT Blog – Interactive Food Map
Maine Seasonal Food Guide – Seasonal Foods in Maine
Cosmic Kids – Yoga adventures, mindfulness, and relaxation strategies.

Mobile Apps (FREE)

WinterKids App – Free & Discounted discounted winter sports and outdoor recreation opportunities across Maine & New Hampshire
AllTrails App – Database of trail maps, which includes crowdsourced reviews and images.
Stope, Breathe & Think’s MyLife App – Offers fun activities such as meditation and mindful breathing that is designed to help kids with focus, quiet, peaceful sleep, and processing emotions. Ages 5-10.
Calm App – For improving sleep, decreasing stress and anxiety, and improving mood and self-esteem.
MY3 App – App for safety planning when struggling with suicidal thinking.
MindfulgNATs App – Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation videos.
Sleep Meditations for Kids – (iOS App) Offers four bedtime stories that are transformed into guided meditations designed to promote relaxation and contentment.

Mental Health Resources

Health Affiliates of Maine – (Ph: 1-877-888-4304) Parents can make referrals for themselves or their children for therapy and case management services.
Community Health and Counseling Services – (Ph: 1-800-924-0366) Offers therapy or case management services located in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lincoln, Machias, Skowhegan, Sojourn, and Westbrook.
Maine Behavioral Healthcare – (Ph: 1-844-292-0111) Offers individual, family, and group therapy services with offices located in Belfast, Biddeford, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Farmington, Norway, Portland, Rockland, and Springvale.
Tri-County Mental Health Services – (Ph: 1-888-304-4673 (HOPE)) Offers a variety of mental health services including individual, family, and group therapy, case management, and med management.
United Ways of Maine – (Ph: 211) Locate local services and programs that help with things such as food, housing, mental health, crisis, child development, education, health, and more.
Psychology Today – This covers the state of Maine, and allows you to search for a therapist near you.
Maine Statewide 24/7 Crisis Hotline – (Ph: 1-888-568-1112 (Voice) or 711 (Maine Relay)) Helps to stabilize individuals and families while assisting in crisis resolution and action planning. If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, call the 24-hour crisis hotline and speak with a trained crisis clinician who can connect you to the closest crisis center.
Intentional 24/7 Warm Line – (Ph: 1.866.771.9276 (WARM)) Peer to peer recovery-focused conversations.
National 24/7 Suicide Prevention Lifeline – (Ph: 1-800-273-8255) National network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
G.E.A.R. Parent Network – (Ph: 1-800-264-9224) Provide critical support to parents/caregivers and families who may otherwise be isolated and overwhelmed dealing with a child’s emotional and behavioral struggles. They empower parents and families by offering parent-to-parent support, advocacy, education, and meaningful participation in all aspects of the services children and families receive.
Inner Health Studio – Provides coping skills, relaxation information, guided meditation, and visualization scripts.
Therapist Aid – Provides education on anxiety, anger, depression, and relaxation, coping skills, art therapy activities, mindfulness and gratitude building ideas, and more.
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Information on mental health, impact of COVID-19, and helpful resources.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Information on anxiety, depression, and coronavirus and its impact on mental health, helpful strategies and coping skills for managing stress.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – information on anxiety, depression, stress, impact of COVID-19, tips on transitioning children back to school, children and school resource center

The WinterKids App is FREE to download in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Download it today to explore free and discounted opportunities to get outside and have fun in Maine and New Hampshire!

LEARN MORE

Maine Outdoor Places to Play

Trails and natural areas in Maine, most offering free public access (some State Parks charge a nominal entrance fee). Find hundreds of places to play across the state by visiting the websites below.

Land for Maine’s Future (https://www.landformainesfuture.org/passport/)
Maine Land Trust Network (https://www.mltn.org/trusts/alphabetical/)
Trust for Public Land (https://www.tpl.org/our-work/maine)
Maine State Parks (https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/)
Maine Trail Finder (https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/)

New Hampshire Outdoor Places to Play

Trails and natural areas in New Hampshire, most offering free public access (some State Parks charge a nominal entrance fee). Find hundreds of places to play across the state by visiting the websites below.

New Hampshire Land Trust Coalition (https://nhltc.org/find-land-trust)
Lakes Region Conservation Trust (https://lrct.org/explorelearn/places-to-visit/)
Trust for Public Land (https://www.tpl.org/our-work/new-hampshire)
New Hampshire State Parks (https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit)

Activities for Kids

MOVE. LEARN. EXPLORE. with WinterKids – Free activity outlines to keep your kids active year-round!
The WinterKids App offers discounts on outdoor fun in Maine & New Hampshire
Macaroni Kid Featuring kid-friendly events and activities.
Portland Kids Calendar The parents’ help desk for all things fun in Greater Portland.

Child Safety

7 Steps to a Backyard Playground for Kids – Advice to make the best use of your yard for your kids.
Bicycle Safety Issues – Teach your kids the rules of the road.
Parents Guide to First Aid – Safety and first aid tips for parents.
Winter Weather: Dressing for the Cold – Dress your kids safely so they may enjoy the winter.
Swimming: Home Pool Safety – Advice from the Red Cross on maintaining a safe environment around your swimming pool.

Health Organizations

Alliance For A Healthier Generation A catalyst for children’s health working with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids.
Let’s Go! A nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program implemented throughout Maine.
We Can! Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity & Nutrition is a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers, and entire communities a way to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight.
Children & Nature Network A collection of free toolkits, reports, infographics and advocacy tools is designed to help you or your organization connect children, families and communities to nature.

Outdoor Organizations

Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Chapter America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization.
Bike Coalition of Maine The statewide voice of cyclists, leading the effort to make Maine better for biking.
Great Maine Outdoor Weekend A series of events led by outdoor oriented organizations and companies to celebrate the how, where, and what of being active outside in Maine.
Learn to Ski and Snowboard Encouraging new skiers and snowboarders to learn and improve their skills.
L.L Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools Book summer courses to learn archery, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more!
Maine Division of Public Parks and Lands Protecting and managing the natural and cultural resources of Maine.
Maine Recreation and Park Association Working to increase recreational opportunities and promote a healthy lifestyle for Maine citizens of all ages.
Rippleffect Promoting youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably.
Sail Maine A non-profit organization formed to support sailing in Maine at the community level.
Ski Maine Association Representing the alpine and Nordic ski industry of Maine.
Snowlink Resources, websites and links to programs that help get kids interested in snow sports, and out on the slopes!
Susan Curtis Foundation: Camp Susan Curtis
Teens to Trails