Have a hot chocolate tasting. Have each family bring a different kind of hot chocolate–from peppermint hot chocolate, to cinnamon hot chocolate, to hot chocolate made with real cream and melted bars, what better way to warm up after a playgroup outdoor winter playtime than to nestle in with hot chocolate and story time. Decorate your mugs with sprinkles, confectioner’s sugar or cinnamon candies.

Make a snowflake chain:
Here’s some great sites to help you and your playgroup make beautiful snowflakes. http://highhopes.com/snowflakes.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_12257_cut-paper-snowflake.html
http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

If you are in a region of the country where it’s snow, then get on out there and make some snow angels and a snowman! Want to know how to make a good one? (It’s not as easy as you think, if you want a big one that actually stays together) Here’s how:
http://www.catalogs.com/info/outdoor/build-a-snowman.html

Too far South for snow? Here’s some fun winter crafts ideas:
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/snowpeople/Snow_People_Projects.htm

Don’t forget about our animal friends. Get some pinecones, smear them with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. Hang them on trees and then go inside and watch from your windows for squirrels and birds to enjoy their special treat.

Be sure to bring your cameras. What’s cuter than kids all bundled up with only their rosy cheeks, red noses and grins showing on a winter day! Remember that snow is reflective so be sure to check your lighting.
Capturing a snowball fight on video just might land you on America’s Funniest Home Videos–you never know when something cute or crazy might happen, so be ready~

After winter is over, be sure to recycle those winter coats. Your little one won’t be able to fit in it next year, so why not do a coat swap with your playgroup–or donate to a local charity? Have everyone bring a new bag of socks and sock hats and drop them off at a shelter. So many families are struggling to make ends meet. Nothing says you care more than new socks.

You remember that old saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail?” Well, don’t let that be your playgroup motto. Now is the time to plan for an exciting 2010 playgroup year. By spending a couple of hours of planning, you can enjoy 12 months of learning and playing fun.

Ideas to Help Your Playgroup Get off to a Great 2010 Start:

Create a survey: Use your email list to create a survey and get some very needed feedback. Ask your playgroup members a few key questions–what activity this year was the most fun for you and your child? What was kind of a dud? What was too much work? If you could repeat one playgroup day, what would it be? Do you want more structured play–or less? What area needs the most work? How can you best help out? What are you good at–that you’re willing to share or teach the group? What didn’t we do that you’d like to try?

Time to get out a physical calendar and nail down those dates. There’s nothing like paper to ground us. Once there’s a master list, then everyone can get out their iPhones and blackberries and input the dates, phone numbers, emails, and work lists.

If you were group leader/co-leader last year, give someone else a chance. Be their right-hand gal or guy. Don’t let them blunder their way through. Give them a hand, make suggestions, and let them try some new things.

Start on those big activities now. If you do a big fundraiser in May, start making plans now. Get your volunteers committed, ask for their input now. If Christmas was a big event for your playgroup, brainstorm on what worked best (and what didn’t) now, while it’s fresh on your mind. It’ll make next December go so much better.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you thought something got really complicated, you’re probably not alone. Share your vision of what you and your child want and need from a playgroup. It just might be that others feel the same way–or you might want to visit some other playgroups to find the right fit for you.

It might be wise to have one parent meeting. Even if you have to do it by conference call or coffee shop meeting early one morning, one simple planning meeting can jumpstart a great year.