Keeping Kids Active During the Winter

Winter can be a tough time for many reasons: heavy snow falls, temperatures dropping and shoveling the driveway. It should be no surprise when the winter months dissuade kids and parents alike from venturing outside.

It seems like any time the kids are active at all in these months are when they are in school or bouncing off the walls at home. Getting kids to spend time outside can help dissipate some of their energy while keeping them healthy physically.

First thing, make sure everyone in the family is well prepared in terms of clothing. Depending on where you live, you can get away with a long-sleeved shirt, but more likely than not, you will want to have multiple layers and a heavy winter coat. Add in gloves, a hat and a scarf for good measure. Take your kids for a walk around the neighborhood, play catch or take the dog for a walk.

The cold weather creates an obstacle, but frigid air and gray skies can have a calming effect, especially considering you will pull the kids away from screens for a while.

If there’s no snow and ice, getting kids outside is as simple as making sure they are dressed for the chill. Snow on the ground brings a whole new level of fun, or headaches.

Snow will likely make the kids want to spend some time outside if they are young enough for the novelty to still exist, but older kids might want to avoid the snow altogether. Getting the kids to go sledding is a great way to make use of the weather and also let them see their friends during a storm.

If going outside is simply out of the question, there are still ways to get kids a controlled workout inside. It’s never too early to teach kids the proper technique for different workouts like jumping jacks, pushups, planking, sit ups and more. If your kids are of elementary-school age, they are probably familiar with these routines, courtesy of their gym class instructor.

Winter is a time when lots of bad habits can settle in, despite the attempt to follow resolutions for the New Year. Find a way to instill a passion for fitness in your kids and they will want to keep moving, even during a power outage inside and a blizzard outside.