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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 NetworkA collection of free toolkits, reports, infographics and advocacy tools is designed to help you or your organization connect children, families and communities to nature.
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.