Chautauqua Tapestry’s
2024 Winter Wellness Toolkit
Maintaining good mental health for kids during the winter is crucial. The combination of colder weather, fewer daylight hours, and potential holiday stress can impact children’s well-being. Here are some strategies from Chautauqua Tapestry to support winter mental health for kids.
For Parents
Maintaining good mental wellness begins at home. Several easy and fun ways exist to achieve a happy and healthy mindset. Here are a few activities we recommend!
Stay Reading:
The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health of 2024
Scholastic Winter Reading Challenge 2024
Jamestown Prendergast Library:
First Years Storytime (0-3 yrs) 10:30am on Tuesdays
Early Learning Storytime (3-6 yrs) 10:30am on Wednesdays
Daylight Exposure:
Ensure exposure to natural daylight. Open curtains during the day to let in sunlight and encourage outdoor activities during daylight hours. Limited exposure to natural light can contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Click here to learn more about (SAD) and how it can affect your child in the winter months
Sensory Friendly:
Predictability and structure can provide a sense of security for children with sensory needs, helping them feel more in control of their environment. Here are some resources to help.
Practical Tips for a Sensory-Friendly Christmas for Autistic Children
Surviving and Thriving Winter with Sensory Processing
Snow Much Fun: Winter Sensory Activities to Enhance Child Development
Creative Indoor Activities:
Plan indoor activities stimulating creativity, such as arts and crafts, drawing, or building projects. Engaging in creative activities can be both fun and therapeutic.
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau Children’s Events
Guide to Family Friendly Events This Month & Beyond in Buffalo & WNY
For Teachers
The remainder of the school year post-winter break can be difficult for students and teachers. We’ve put together a few fun and mindful activities for students to transition back into the classroom smoothly. Click each link to redirect to an activity!
Before break fun activities:
2024 Winter Activities for the Classroom
Get acclimated to the New Year:
12 Classroom New Year’s Activities
Have a mental health check-in:
Mental Health Activities for Kids
Check out these creative New Year coloring pages!
Click each photo to be redirected to a printable PDF.
Watch this snowy sensation guided meditation!
Click to watch the YouTube video
For Teens
Returning to school after the winter break can be tricky; we get it.
Here are some videos to help you acclimate to a New Year, some ideas for self-care in high school, and a Seasonal Affective Disorder guide.
First Day Of summer!
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