With the cold weather and shorter days typical of the winter season, it can feel so much more appealing to curl up on the couch and watch TV with your loved ones instead of staying active. However, no matter what the weather’s like outside, it’s absolutely essential to the health and well-being of every child, regardless of age, to remain active throughout the year – especially in the colder months!
The Importance of Keeping Your Child Active During the Winter Season
Ensuring your child sleeps well throughout the night isn’t the only reason they need to burn off some of their excess energy. In order to maintain a healthy weight, children under the age of five typically require 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day, while children aged five to 17 require about 180 minutes each day, according to the CDC.
In addition, studies show that children who participate in regular physical activity see improvements in their cognitive ability, academic performance, and general outlook on life. So, when camp isn’t in session, it’s even more critical that we encourage our children to be active during the day.
Below are a few of our favorite ways to keep children active in small or limited spaces.
Dancing and Music Games
Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy a good old-fashioned dance party? One of the best ways to keep your child active in small or limited spaces is through dance and music. In order to get your kids up and moving, play a few of their favorite tunes. Freeze dance, for example, is a great way to improve listening comprehension skills in young children. You know the rules: everybody must dance to the music, and when the DJ turns the tunes off, you FREEZE!
Storytelling and Performance
Fortunately for parents, story time doesn’t have to be a tradition exclusive to bedtime! To keep your child active indoors this winter, try using storytelling and performance methods. Have your child choose a book or story with a lot of repetition. Every time the word comes up in the text, perform an action with your child, like a jumping jack! Alternatively, choose your child’s favorite story or book and reenact a scene from the plot. Get creative by using props around the house and creating costumes DIY-style!
Technology and Video Games
Thanks to the power of technology and online gaming, exercise can always be made fun. If you have video games or a computer at home, use interactive games to keep your child active, like Wii Sports or a kid-friendly workout!
There’s nothing more important than the health and well-being of your child – but that doesn’t mean exercise has to be boring! For more ideas on how to keep your child active indoors, visit us at our website today.
