Keeping Kids Moving When Winter Keeps You Indoors
The end of fall is here, and winter is amongst us. For those of us in the Northwest, this brings shorter days, colder weather and lots of rain. As a parent of a 6- and 3-year-old, this also brings up the conundrum of how to burn energy when venturing outside is less than appealing. If your family is like mine, a sedentary day at home is a recipe for meltdowns. Though I am not completely against screen time (my kids are currently watching a show while I write this), I do know that too much screen time = meltdowns for my family.
The American Heart Association recommends that kids ages 6 to 17 years old should get at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day, so here are a few of my favorite ideas to help facilitate healthy movement based activities for your kiddos, while also preserving your sanity as a parent stuck inside with these little energy balls.
Just remember, 60 minutes does not have to be all at once but can be broken into chunks throughout the day. Have fun and good luck!
- Indoor Snowball Fight
Every child loves an epic snowball battle. Take some time and set up forts around the living room or house.
Gather your snowballs (crumpled paper) and unleash an epic and active battle with your kids. It’s a great opportunity for them to get that pent up energy out, but also a great release for you as a parent.
- Balloon Bash
There is something about balloons when it comes to active fun. From toddlers to teens, get them moving through a series of challenges all centered on nothing more than a leftover party favor! Get creative, the options are endless, but here’s a few to get you started:
- Balloon Volley – see how long they can keep it from touching the ground (or any furniture etc.). Too easy? Add another balloon, and another!
- Balloon Balance – no hands allowed, keep the balloon balanced on their body from point A to point B … and back again. Too easy? Add obstacles to the pathway!
- Balloon Catch – the catch? They must catch it with kitchen utensils! Try funnels, serving spoons and spatulas. Too easy? Try catching one in each hand with two different tools!
- Backyard Olympics
Design your very own family (& friends) Olympic Games specific to your kids’ ages and athletic style. Don’t worry, you don’t have to create a bobsled track to make this fun – come up with your own “events” or better yet, have your kids come up with them.
Think jump ropes and hula hoops, hurdles and balance beams. And if the weather outside is truly frightful, bring the games indoors.
- Teamwork Games
Though this is not a single game, these are some fun activities for younger kids to play and try to build strength, coordination and teamwork.
- Wheelbarrow Race: You can hold the legs of your child while they walk with their hands. For the advanced, you can set up some obstacles to go over or around. If you have multiple kids, have them work together. One holds the legs of the other and then take turns.
- Roll and Jump: You can roll on the ground and have your kids jump over you without landing on you. If you have multiple kids, one can roll and the other jumps. The timing and coordination can be very challenging.
- Laundry Basket Rides: Have one child push or pull the other around the house in the laundry basket. You can create a course for them and add a timer so see who can do it quickest.
- Animal Walks: Try different types of walks and have the kids race. Try a crab walk, kangaroo hop, slither like a snake or bear crawl.
- Take an I Spy or 20 Questions Walk
Mention going for a walk just for the sake of walking and most kids will look at you like you just asked them to eat a bowl of raw vegetables … without dip!
But during the holidays there are often lights and decorations up throughout neighborhoods and plenty of things to see and share.
Incorporate the classic I Spy or 20 Questions games to keep the whining at bay. Make it active and engaging by adding a “follow the leader” component where you switch from regular walking to things like skipping or hopping or even walking backward when it’s safe to do so, and take turns being the leader.
I know this one is not inside, but still worth a go.
If Pain Is Limiting Play, PT Can Help
Despite our best efforts, sometimes we run into barriers to keeping our kids active. A common barrier is injury or pain. Active, growing kids develop aches and pains or develop injuries. If this is true for your little one, a physical therapist can be a great resource to guide them back to their physical activities safely and quickly. We work with pain and injuries big and small. Please reach out and let us know how we can help.
Keep your kids moving!
If your child is dealing with aches, pains, or an injury that’s slowing them down, a physical therapist can help them get back to play safely and confidently. Contact us today to see how we can support your child’s active lifestyle — no matter the season!
