Winter weather poses an obstacle to normally active children when it's
no longer easy to jump on a bike and ride or play outside. The American Council
on Exercise (ACE) offers advice on how to keep your kids active during the
colder months.
"The trend toward inactivity in children is all too common during the
winter months," says Debi Pilarella, 2004 ACE Fitness Director of the Year.
"Kids are continuing to eat higher calorie foods and not working them off
like they would in warmer weather. It's the parent's responsibility to make
sure their child/children remain active when playing outside isn't an
option."
Take your kids with you for a gym workout
- YMCAs and health clubs offer a warmer fitness alternative
to outside and now have expanded programs for kids and parents (e.g.,
parent/child yoga and Pilates, youth circuit classes and family personal
training).
Head to the mall for a walk
- Many malls are open early for morning walkers and
are a great way to get physical activity with the kids. Parents can split
up with their children into teams and each can compete to reach a certain
store in the shortest amount of time.
Commercial time is "movement time"
- Pilarella has established "movement time" during
commercials when her children have to get up and move around the house, either
to take the dog outside or put away laundry. Parents can also offer rewards
for children who do their activities.
ACE recommends children get approximately 60
minutes of physical activity each day, but that can
be broken up into intervals anywhere from 10-20 minutes. Youth-fitness products
keep kids busy indoors - There are a variety of youth-oriented fitness products
parents can buy including at-home yoga kits and child exercise videos and
games. These would make great holiday or birthday gifts.
This is a list of free police and safety coloring and activity pages
to keep them busy and learning for hours!
Free
Police and Safety Coloring and Activity Pages
ASKACOP.org