5 Exercises to Keep Kids Active in the Winter
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Today I have a guest post from Cassie with 5 exercises to keep kids active in the winter. There's a great infographic at the end that shares some great ideas.
Daylight Savings Time has ended and the days are getting cooler, crisper and much, much darker. As kids come home from school, there is less light for fun outdoor time to burn off energy. Many kids head off the bus to do homework and then zone out in front of a screen.
Less daylight hours and cooler temperatures don’t have to equate to more time sitting with a device. Kids can still get up and move—even indoors. Physical activity is important to everyone, and the Centers for Disease Control recommend that children get at least one hour each day of physical activity.
Take the fun of outdoor activities indoors with a little creativity and DIY inspiration. On cold, dark
days have an indoor activity blitz!
Freezing temperatures are a great time to play indoor Freeze Tag. Small spaces are large can accommodate this version of tag. Choose who will be “It” by drawing different lengths of straws or string. The person who is IT is responsible for catching and tagging. Once tagged, a player must freeze. However a player is standing or positioned when tagged is how they must remain.
Dance competitions also are a great indoor exercise to burn off crazy kid energy. Turn on favorite songs and see who can dance the longest. Or incorporate dance exercise games like Wii Just Dance. Kids will have a blast moving to the music or competing with each other in dance moves. According to one fitness guru, Wii Dance Party burned 190 calories in half an hour.
Focus on indoor activities that help move muscles and get the heart pumping. Jump roping indoors is great and easy cardio for kids. Hula hooping works core muscle groups and is a fun activity for kids of all ages (and adults!). Hula hoops also can be used in jumping games and can be twirled around arms and legs during dance routines.
No matter what indoor activity parents choose to get kids off the couch and in motion, remember that the focus should be on fun and fitness. Don’t treat any activity like a Drill Sergeant. Kids just want to have fun, and fitness should always be a positive and fun-filled experience.
Author bio: Cassie Brewer is a health professional in Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys writing about her passion: healthy living and everything beauty related. Nothing makes her happier than helping other be the best version of themselves they can be. You can read more at cassiebrewer.weebly.com and follow her on twitter @Cassiembrewer
Heather Greutman, COTA
Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.
Just in time for Christmas. My son has ADHD and physical activity is perfect for him. Thank you for this informative article. Cheers!