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The winter months, with cold temperatures and ice underfoot, can force children to stay indoors — and long hours inside can test the patience of any parent. Local experts and parents say there's plenty to do to keep kids healthy and active and parents sane during winter months.

Stay physically active

Dr. Roomika Baig, a pediatrician with Frederick Pediatrics Associates, says children should get at least 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity each day. She says it is important for parents to plan a variety of activities geared to a child's age and developmental stage and to "think about activities the whole family can do."

One of her suggestions for a fun, inexpensive activity to get the blood flowing inside is jumping rope.

"It's cheap because you do not need a lot of equipment or space. And kids like it," she said. "Turn on music and do it with friends."

Frederick Gymnastics Club (www.frederickgymnastics.com) allows kids to get moving during its open gym sessions. For a fee of $4 for members or $7 for nonmembers, kids are able to tumble on mats, jump on trampolines, swing on the rings and climb on balance beams for a 90-minute session, with staff on hand to supervise. One open gym session is geared toward both home-schooled and preschool-age children, while other times are for preschoolers only or first graders and older.

Summer is not the only time to think about swimming. Both Hood College in Frederick and the Frederick County YMCA open their pools several times a week to walk-in visitors. At Hood College, parents can pay a general admission fee per visit or purchase a punch card for discounted rates, and children 2 or younger swim for free. During community swim at the YMCA, parents pay $3 per child to swim or $10 for the whole family.

Ice-skating is another great way to chase off the winter blues, and Skate Frederick has several times available to the public for recreational skating every day of the week. Ice skates are available for renting, and Skate Frederick even provides double-runner skates that can be strapped onto a little one's shoes. Several "cheapskate" times are also offered each week, giving discounts on admission and rentals.

For a bit of nature during these months of bare trees and cloudy skies, Fountain Rock Park's nature center is open for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. The center has displays and discovery boxes, as well as snakes, toads, tarantulas and turtles for children to see. In addition, parents can register their child through the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation for special themed programs at the park during the week.

Jenny Woodall, 39, of Frederick, is a mother of two who likes the idea of bringing the outdoors inside if your house can accommodate it.

"We have a basement, and we always bring traditionally outdoor activities indoors in the winter: a kickball, riding toys, our mini trampoline, scooters," Woodall said. Despite the cold, she likes to get her family outside for a bit each day. "Playing in the park can get cold for the adults, since they are stationary, but a brisk walk downtown for hot chocolate or [to] the library gives you exercise, warmth, and a reward," she said.

Dr. Baig said that in Maryland's climate, children are able to be outdoors year-round "as long as they are dressed comfortably and well-hydrated and supervised so they can come into a warm environment when uncomfortable."

Be creative

The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in downtown Frederick is a great free spot to get a child's creative juices flowing. This month, the Frederick County Arts Association's exhibit includes landscape scenes, still-life pictures and photography.

Diane Sibbison, manager of exhibits at Delaplaine, says the exhibit is "very appropriate for a young child" and likes the idea of children bringing paper and colored pencils with them to sketch some of the art they see.

In March, Frederick County Public Schools' Youth Art Show takes place, featuring about 300 pieces of art created by area students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Sibbison says there will be a bit of everything on display, from paintings to sculptures, and that it is a great exhibit to "give ideas for doing things at home as well."

The Delaplaine also offers a free art workshop for children ages 6 to 8 every third Saturday of the month, as well as a series of classes for children of all ages for a cost. Children can learn to paint with watercolors or shape their own bowls out of clay. Regarding the free workshops, Sarah Higgins, director of instruction at Delaplaine, advises registering early on the first working day of the month.

ThorpeWood retreat center in the Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont hosts a storytime for children ages 2 to 5 on the third Wednesday of most months. The 90-minute program features stories, crafts and activities for $5; registration is requested.

"I try to have things that are multilevel," said Kathy Funkhouser, storytime facilitator and former preschool special education teacher. She said since ThorpeWood is located in a forest, "all the stories have something to do with nature."

For a bit of history mixed with songs, games and crafts, the Museum of Frederick County History in downtown Frederick hosts "hiSTORY Hour" on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The free event is for children ages 3 to 5 and begins with a reading of a picture book about something in American history. A game or song follows to match the book. One day, kids may play a Native American harvest game, while another day they may sing a song about Abraham Lincoln with hand motions.

"I always try to get them moving," said Ellen Seagraves, education coordinator for the Historical Society of Frederick County. "There's always some movement."

Finally, when considering winter-day activities for children, Dr. Baig says that children do not need to be busy all the time.

"Down time is necessary," she said. "[Children] need time to reflect and let their imaginations roll."

For more information about the activities featured in this story:

-Frederick Gymnastics Club

4604 Wedgewood Blvd., Frederick

301-695-9414

www.frederickgymnastics.com

-Hood College Aquatics

401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick

301-696-3484

http://hoodathletics.com/aquatics/ aqu-welcome

-Frederick County YMCA

1000 N. Market St., Frederick

301-663-5131

http://frederickymca.org

-Skate Frederick

1288 Riverbend Way, Frederick

301-662-7362

www.skatefrederick.com

-Fountain Rock Park

8511 Nature Center Place, Walkersville

www.co.frederick.md.us/ index.asp?NID=2987

-Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation

301-600-1646

www.recreater.com

-Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center

40 S. Carroll St., Frederick

301-698-0656

www.delaplaine.org

-ThorpeWood

12805-A Mink Farm Road, Thurmont

301-271-2823

www.thorpewood.org

-Museum of Frederick County History

24 E. Church St., Frederick

301-663-1188

http://www.hsfcinfo.org/education