Winter usefulness for everyone who does not like annoying troubles
To prevent hair from being electrified from a hat. Of course, there are special tools, but we are talking about the most available ways. Add water and a few drops of lavender oil to a spray bottle (you can get these for cheap at fixed price stores or any hardware store). Shaking well, spray on the hair - the static charge is neutralized.
To keep shoes from getting wet. You can grate paraffin from an ordinary candle on a fine grater and put it in the microwave for a few seconds, add a couple of spoons to liquid paraffin linseed oil(maybe a few drops of lavender). Grate shoes with this mixture and leave to soak overnight.
To remove the pellets from your favorite sweater use a regular razor. Although there are special machines for removing lumps from clothes, they cost a lot of money. You can also use adhesive tape or roller adhesive tape (the effect is the same), but this will only help from a small amount of spools that have just appeared.
To make the phone respond to gloved fingers, you can upgrade the hand accessory. The first way: we take non-working telephone headphones, pull out a metal thread from them, thread it into a needle with a large eye. On the index finger we embroider a small circle (or cross). It is with this “embroidery” that you will touch the screen of the now obedient phone. Second: insert a small ball of foil into the tip index finger gloves. Third: Some advise spitting on a gloved finger. It works, the sensor reacts to a wet glove, but walking with wet fingers is a dubious pleasure.
Keep your feet warm on long walks, according to the size of the foot, cut out the insoles from the foil isolon and lay them in the shoes - it will be warmer. However, on sale you can often see insoles made of similar material.
To keep your hands warm get into the habit of carrying an extra pair of gloves. Suddenly you decide to exchange a couple of snowballs with your friends. It is uncomfortable to walk in wet gloves, you will instantly change them to dry ones.
To make the ice slide even better, you can melt the grated paraffin in the microwave and grease the ice cube with it. Let it freeze. Gliding will be even better.
To open a frozen castle for example, a garage, in the absence of special means, heat the key with a lighter (this is more difficult to do with matches). A hot key will "convince" the lock to give in.
To make the apartment a little warmer, lay the wall behind the battery with ordinary food foil or a sheet of foil isolon. Heat will be reflected inside the room.
To keep shoes from slipping work with the sole. Firstly, you can create microburrs from slipping on it with coarse-grained sandpaper. Secondly, with an ordinary stationery stapler (many of them have a lower part that is bent), try applying a few staples in the heel and toe area. Thirdly, you can stick pieces of adhesive tape on a clean sole. True, it is erased after each walk and, if you have enough patience, you will have to update it every time. The staples will last a little longer. Some also advise applying hot melt adhesive to a clean sole and letting it dry. These options can be used if you do not want to spend about 200 rubles on ice access or think that they spoil the aesthetic appearance of the shoe.
To keep glasses from fogging up When you enter a room from a cold, try generously smearing your lenses with shaving foam and then wiping them thoroughly with a tissue. Some claim that this works due to the microfilm that, covering the lenses, protects them from condensation.
So that there are no stains from wet shoes in the hallway, some advise keeping an ordinary cat litter box by the door. Dirty water from shoes and snow will drain into the tray, leaving no dirt on the floor.
To protect your phone from the cold, do not carry it in your jeans pocket. Low temperatures are bad for the battery, so put your phone in an inside jacket pocket.
In order not to freeze on the street, put on several layers of thin clothes, this is much better than one layer of thick clothes. For example, one warm sweater will not warm as well as, say, three T-shirts and a turtleneck worn one on top of the other. The effect is achieved due to the air gap, because the air has a low thermal conductivity. If this does not help, some advise dialing hot water(approximately 80 °C) into small bottles and put them in your pockets. While you are walking, they will not let you freeze.
To prevent car wipers from icing up, some advise to wear regular socks on them. It looks funny, but the main thing is not to press them against the glass: it will be even more difficult to tear them off with socks. It is believed that this simple method allows you not to loosen the fasteners, each time removing the wipers.
To the side windows of the car not covered with frost overnight, wrap them in plastic bags. Of course, this only makes sense for those who do not have heated mirrors.
To insulate the seats without heating in the car, you can put sheets of the already mentioned material on them - isolon. It's not that cold to sit on.
Events” tested the sled different types and found out which are the fastest, safest and most convenient.
On what to slide down the hill? Before, there were only three options: aluminum sleds, ice rinks and a bag filled with snow. Now there are so many of these accessories in stores that your eyes run wide. The correspondent of the portal "Events" Daria Turtseva brings up two children, which means she owns an almost complete range of rolling aids. Together with her family, she got out into the forest and made a big test drive.
"Cheesecake"
Snow tubes are also called "cheesecakes" for their shape - new recent years. The cost is from 800 to 2500 rubles. The price depends on the configuration. Last year we decided to save money and just bought a rubber one. "Extremely strong, reinforced construction" was written on the package. On the second day of "pokatushki" "cheesecake" cut through the sharp edge of the ice. The hole was sealed, but they no longer took risks, this winter they bought a cover for it for another 800 rubles.
Pros:
Compact, easy to transport when folded, convenient to store in the summer - does not take up space on the balcony
From the slope, the cheesecake rushes like a jet. Children and adults alike enjoy it immensely.
Minuses:
It is very difficult to inflate on the street in winter, the rubber becomes “oak”, cold air poorly fills the chamber. We never succeeded in pumping it up to the end on the street, and the dimensions of the car do not allow us to drive it inflated from home.
Absolutely unguided projectile. On a bump, you can jump up and fly out of it. It is impossible to slow down - sitting inside, even my legs do not reach the ground, not to mention the children. It becomes scary when the “cheesecake” turns around and you have to roll down with your back, because you don’t see what awaits you further down the course.
General impression:
This is an extremely dangerous projectile, I would equate it with extreme sports. Riding a "cheesecake" is safe only on a specially prepared track, where there are no pits and springboards. Otherwise, the "pokatushki" can end in bruises and fractures.
Snow scooter
We bought a snow scooter three years ago at a sale for 350 rubles at a price of 2500 thousand. The fear “cheap means bad” was not confirmed. During all this time, not a single breakdown. The user manual specifies a weight limit of 50 kilograms. But in fact, the snow scooter can withstand 70, and even 90.
pros
Handling - thanks to the steering wheel, you can easily go around pits and bumps. There are brakes - a pedestrian who unexpectedly jumped out onto a snowy track will not suffer if you press the pedals in time.
Sustainability. Despite the fact that the “driver” of the snow scooter sits quite high above the ground and it seems that falling from such a height is more dangerous than from flat ice, due to the wide plastic skis it is almost impossible to turn the snow scooter over. In any case, we did not manage to do it even on purpose.
Those who love extreme sensations will appreciate the speed. As our test drive showed, the “cheesecake” and the snow scooter fly from the slope at the same speed.
Minuses
Takes up a lot of space, inconvenient to transport.
Big weight. Difficult to lift and carry.
It is inconvenient to use it as a sled (lead by the rope), because the child enjoys turning the steering wheel from side to side and turning the wrong way.
General impression:
In terms of comfort and safety, a snow scooter, I would put in the first place. Excellent maneuverability and stability, the boys behind the wheel can feel like real drivers.
Ledyanki
Ledyanka are of two types - small ones from our childhood and modern large ones, which even an adult can fit into. Small ones can be bought for 150-200 rubles. Large ones, depending on the material, cost from 400 to 800 rubles. The stronger the plastic, the more expensive.
pros
Primitive control. Own legs and to steer and to slow down. IN last resort, you can easily eject from the ice, just tumbling to one side.
Develops a moderate speed - good for kids and adults who do not like thrills.
Multifunctionality. It can also be used for descents from snowy slopes and from ice slides.
Can be used not only for outdoor activities, but also for transporting a child to kindergarten, for transportation of firewood, snow and for other household needs.
Minuses
The speed is less than that of the "cheesecake" and the snow scooter.
Rigidity. You can bounce on a bump and hit the "fifth point" great on landing.
General impression:
Large ice cubes showed the second fastest result. Small ones - the fourth, after a bag stuffed with snow - their legs fall out of them and slow down. The main advantage is compactness and lightness, if there is no car, then such hand luggage will not burden you much on the way up the hill.
Plastic bag
A package, a piece of linoleum, a briefcase, after all. Riding them was a common thing in my childhood. A piece of polyethylene helps out even now. The time-tested projectile also took part in our test drive.
pros
Price. In the bins of each apartment you can find a large durable package. If not, then you can buy it in a building materials hypermarket, it costs a penny.
Compactness. Easy to fit in a handbag and even a pocket. You can always carry it with you.
Minuses
The speed depends on the quality of the coating. If it's icy and perfectly smooth, then it's good. If there is snow, and even with holes, you won’t go far, you will sit in the very first one.
All bumps and tubercles will leave a memory of themselves in the form of bruises on the pope and back.
General impression:
As practice has shown, it is best to ride on a pack full of snow. It took me about 10 minutes to fill. The first descent was simply enchanting. The package yielded in speed only to the “cheesecake” and the snow scooter. With a participant in the competition on large ice rinks, we reached the finish line almost simultaneously. But the most interesting was ahead. While everyone else easily rolled their vehicles, I barely trudged with a bag stuffed with heavy wet snow. After the second descent, I decided to empty the bag halfway. Surprise awaited here too. Under the weight of the “rider”, the snow moves to the sides, as a result, the “fifth point” had to count all the bumps on the mountain. For the third time, I decided to get rid of the snow in the bag completely, because there is still no sense in it. But the empty package showed unimportant speed.
Soft ice cubes and the so-called "podzhopniks"
Soft ice caps are made of polypropylene. From above, for better sliding, covers made of awning or banner fabric are put on them. Very small ones cost 200 rubles. There are bigger ones, like surfboards, you can buy them for 800.
pros
Strength. It will not crack like a plastic ice cube in severe frost.
Compactness. Easy to store and transport.
Ease. Even a baby can drag it up a hill or slope.
Multifunctionality. Can be used on both snowy and icy slopes and on children's metal or wooden slides. Such an ice cube in the summer can be used as a swimming board.
Minuses
Not suitable for very young children. There is no back and sides - it is difficult to maintain balance.
There is nowhere to rest your legs, you have to lift it up above your head so as not to slow down or move out while lying on your stomach, head first.
General impression:
Small soft ice cubes showed the worst result in terms of speed. All because they interfere with the legs, which have nowhere to go. Large iceboats ride well on both icy and snowy surfaces. On bumps they don't take off as high as regular ice skates, but a hard landing is felt, even despite the soft construction.
plastic sled
Despite the fact that the sled is plastic, it is very durable. More than 5 years serve faithfully. There are models that are equipped with an additional seat for babies.
pros
Warm. For some reason, even in cold weather, the plastic remains warm enough. It is pleasant to sit on it and touch it with your hands. Children can even lick - the tongue will not stick.
Durability. On plastic base metal runners, thanks to which they not only glide well. They protect the plastic from abrasion on the asphalt.
Lungs. They weigh only 2.5 kilograms.
Durable. Withstand up to 100 kilograms.
Minuses
Price. Imported ones cost about 5,000 rubles. But now there are plastic sleds Russian production, they cost about 2000 rubles.
General impression:
The sled rolls well down the mountain. They have ergonomic design, comfortable to hold. They showed the same speed as the ice-boats. Even a child can handle the controls at the level of intuition. He pulled out his legs - he slowed down, it's scary - you fall on your side. They do not injure, even if they fall on top of you, because they are light and do not have sharp corners.
Booster and car cover
Also in our test drive was a child car seat, the so-called booster and a car seat cover.
The first one refused to roll at all, despite the fact that, like ice cubes, it is made of plastic. Great hope was for the old car cover. One side is made of leatherette, and the other side is made of upholstery fabric. It was expected that in the cold the leatherette would freeze and it would just look like ice cubes, and it was not cold to sit on the fabric side. The cover is really stiff, but did not slide down the mountain.
Skiing from the mountains is a fun mass fun for children in winter time since time immemorial. Everyone contrives to fly down the rolled ice path on whatever they have to: some squatting, some flopping flat, and some placing plywood or a cardboard box lid under them. Previously, in the villages, children made special ice cubes for this: they took an old sieve or a basin, coated it with clay or adobe on the outside, doused it with water and froze it. Then hay was laid inside, as in a nest. On such a peculiar lens, the descent turned out to be especially rapid.
Despite the fact that modern plastic ice cubes are now sold in stores in a large assortment, the children still continue to make their own versions - it’s more interesting and more fun. Here are some examples from the German magazine Praktik.
An ice cube from ... a shovel
Old shovel she really begs to be used as an ice rink. And indeed, she already has everything for this: a wide blade will serve as an excellent skid, especially since one edge seems to be specially bent, like a sleigh; and if you shorten the handle - we get a finished handle, comfortable to hold on to and even control the movement.
1- shovel; 2- fabric (or rubber) loop tape; 3- liner (polystyrene, foam rubber, latex)
It is possible to improve such a “soviet” ice cube a little more - to make a seat for it. This will require a strip of fabric (or rubber - for example, from a car camera): the material is folded in half and put on a handle (shank) with a specially made hole. It remains to put a piece of foam, thick foam rubber or latex inside - and a comfortable soft seat is ready.
"Ski" ice rink
Children's wooden skis serve the child for a short winter or two, and there, you see, the baby has grown - others are needed, more. Throw away the old ones? Some make sleds out of them. And if you collect several pairs, you can build an original ice rink from your used skis
To do this, the skis must first of all be rallied into a single shield. This can be done in the following way. Through the available on each ski through hole for soft fastening, a tightly fitting connecting bar is threaded on glue (carpentry, PVA). The side edges of the skis are also glued, and the resulting shield is firmly rallied to flat surface and aged for the period of setting of the glue.
1 - skis; 2 - connecting bar; 3 - plywood seat pad; 4 - carpet; 5 - connecting bar, A - ice cap assembly; B - toe part
At this time, a connecting bar from wooden board; the toe of each ski is carefully nailed to it.
To further strengthen the shield, a strip of plywood is superimposed and nailed on top of the backs of the skis. It can be oval and serve as a seat: then its surface is covered with carpet. A strip of the same material is glued to the toe bar, which acts as a stop - the legs will not slip off. You can also attach a rope or a leather handle here for the convenience of carrying the ice maker.
Ice chair
Another version of the ice has an increased “comfort” - in the form of a high chair on a wide skid. This design, as it were, combines the "scoop" and "ski" options. Only from a shovel, only a part with a handle is used as a handle, and instead of skis, a sheet of plywood is used.
1 - plywood skid; 2- toe figured bar; 3 - seat legs; 4 - coated seat (rubber, carpet); 5 - part of a shovel with a handle; 6 - undercut bars
The device of this ice-maker is clear from the figure. The plywood sheet-runner with its front edge overlap is attached from above to the toe bar, processed by a planer for a toboggan bend. Their connection is reinforced by nailed on top curly legs seats. The latter is formed by two panels joined at a certain angle, for which the legs have corresponding cutouts. The surface of the seat is pasted over or upholstered with a rubber ribbed rug or carpet.
Two bars are nailed to the bottom of the plywood skid, playing the role of undercuts. A part of a shovel with a handle is attached to the bottom of the toe bar, so that there is something to hold on to when riding an ice rink.
Do-it-yourself ice sledgesThe long-awaited New Year holidays are approaching, and I want to spend them interesting and fun, and not just eat delicious food and watch TV. I offer you an interesting New Year's idea that will appeal to both kids and adults. This new year idea simple, it is easy to implement, spending a minimum of time, but showing a little imagination.
On New Year's holidays, many city dwellers go to the country, or celebrate a holiday, or in the following days. The idea of a holiday outside the city is wonderful in itself, as the fresh frosty air, the ability to cook delicious dishes in a barbecue or a Russian stove, or just on a fire, take a steam bath in a bath, you can fully relax from the bustle of the city and enjoy a good rest.
But while the adults are busy preparing for the holiday, you can also come up with an interesting activity for children - skiing, which they are madly in love with. Of course, it is better to take care of the construction of the slide in advance so that it has time to harden well. If there is little snow, then you can make a slide on a frame or on top of some low structure. For example, we made a slide in the country on top of a small wooden bridge, the design turned out to be very strong and reliable.
Plywood is also suitable to ride down the hill, but it is better, of course, to make a sled for the child, so it will be both more convenient and interesting for him. Yes, and you will enjoy the creative process.
To make ice sledges you will need:
- plywood;
- board or bar (inch);
- jigsaw or hacksaw for wood;
- nails or screws;
- hammer;
- ruler.
- We make the frame of the sled from four bars or pieces of board. The sizes are arbitrary, the main thing is that it is convenient and easy for the child to bring them up the hill.
- The base of the sled is plywood, which will need to be bent, but not much, without bending, to get a radius. In order for plywood to become flexible, it must first be wetted. hot water. Place a sheet of plywood right size into a basin or an old baby bath and pour boiling water over it, leave to stand for 15-20 minutes. After that, carefully bend the plywood so that it does not crack or break. We fix the sheet of plywood from below on the frame.
- From three bars we make a seat, if desired, you can make a back for the seat.
- In a sheet of plywood, closer to the front bar of the frame, we make an awl or drill a hole, fix the rope. You can also make a rope mount from bent nails.
- If possible, you can paint the sled multi-colored paints, but it must be done in warm room. That's all, the sled for your baby is ready!
Winter always comes unexpectedly, even if you really expect it: one morning, waking up and looking out the window, we will see the long-awaited snow, which so beckons the kids to frolic! And adults are usually not averse to merrily throwing a couple of snowballs, enjoying inhaling the clean frosty air and squinting at the sparkling white, still untouched snow cover.
It will not be a mistake to say that the main attribute of winter children's (and often adults') games are sleds.
Not without sledges and parents who have to carry the kids to kindergarten; An important help in the household is the sled, adapted solutions for various tasks. As a rule, any sled can be bought in a retail or online store: the choice of models is huge, the price range is very wide, the set of used materials and colors is also, as they say, for every taste. But what if you are a creative person, and artisan hands miss the tools? Of course, get down to business! And the money saved, the feeling of satisfaction with the result and the pride of the child for his father, who “can do anything!” Will be a well-deserved reward. 
So, before you get down to business, you should choose the type of sled, think over their design and device, and also decide on the materials. Let's be honest, on your own (“on your knee”) you can assemble a classic-type sled 
or finnish sleigh, which are distinguished by the presence in the front of the seat with a back and elongated runners with small anti-slip platforms for the feet. 
As an option, you can consider a snow scooter with a front turning ski and a steering wheel, but this is somewhat beyond the scope of this article and, in the strict sense, they are not sleds. 
The design and arrangement of children's sledges can be very diverse - from simple, aimed at solving strictly utilitarian tasks, to carved, using openwork elements and parts from bent wood, usually in a pseudo-traditional style. It will not be a secret that everyone House master chooses a design according to its capabilities and technical skills, often based on the materials available. 
