Stuck indoors because of the bad weather outside? The playground is covered with nothing but snow? Well, winter can be hard on active kids but it certainly is no reason for them to stay away from play. Just use some imagination and move fun activities indoors. Here are some ideas for parents to try out.
Indoor Treasure Hunt
This works well for a medium-sized to large house. Leave a trail of clues for the kids to find the treasure. Riddles, number puzzles and general knowledge quizzes can be part of the clues. For younger children, leave clues in the form of pictures. Then prepare a map to help the kids find the treasure.
Indoor Obstacle Course
Design an obstacle course that runs through the entire house. To make it more exciting, let the kids decide what obstacles to put and how the course should run. Do some safety checks and try out the newly designed obstacle course before letting the kids loose. Get some friends over to make the event more exciting!
Balancing Acts
If there is a fitball or Swiss ball in the house, get the kids to roll on the ball, balance on it while lying on their stomach or walk out over the ball with their hands on the floor. The kids will have fun, work out their core muscles and boost their body balance.
Home Videos and CDs
Use a webcam to create a short home video. Have a theme or title for the video. Get an older child to be the director or cameraman and the younger kids as actors. Include songs and dance so that the kids can sing and dance to the video later on. They will have a great time laughing looking at their own funny images on screen.
Another great idea is creating a CD with songs sung by the kids. Play the CD so that the kids can sing and dance to the tunes. Make it last for at least 30 minutes so that everyone can have a good workout!
Reducing TV and Computer Time
Make time deals with kids who prefer spending time in front of the TV or computer. Allow them a fixed amount of time with their favorite TV shows or video games. In exchange, they have to do some physial activity. Make sure the time spent working out is longer than the time spent with the electronics.
Getting Sporty
Dribble a ball, skip a rope or do hula hoops to work out some sweat amidst the cold outside. Hold mini contests with prizes to encourage more keen little participants.
Braving the Cold
Just because it’s cold outside is no excuse to stay indoors all the time. Get the kids dressed in appropriate clothing and move them out of the house. They can go ice skating, build snowmen or even throw snowballs at one another. It’s a good idea to introduce kids to winter sports too. Who knows? There may be a budding winter Olympian in the family!
Help kids to stay active in winter by moving activities indoors if the weather is really bad outside. Hold indoor treasure hunts or obstacle courses, practice balancing acts with a fitball, create home videos or CDs, swap TV and computer time with physical activity or just get the kids out of the house to play. They will have fun and fitness with these activities!
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References:
Westlake, Lisa. “Kids’ Winter Fitness” in Fitness First magazine. Australia: Active Media Group, July/August 2007.
Miller-Kovach, Karen. Weight Watchers: Healthy Parent, Healthy Child. New South Wales: Allen & Unwin, 2006.
