Winter exercise for kids is more important than you realize.
You likely know that regular exercise is essential and provides many benefits to your physical and mental health. However, even the most active children find it difficult to remain active during winter, which is understandable. After all, it gets dark earlier, it’s cold outside, and cozying up on the couch is so enticing.
But no matter how cold it is, it’s vital that your kids remain moving to ensure that they get enough exercise—especially during the winter. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, kids and teenagers should get one hour or more of moderate to vigorous activity every day. This includes age-appropriate aerobic exercises like running, push-ups, jumping, and being active.
If that sounds like a lot of movement, almost 80% of teenagers aren’t getting enough exercise. During the colder months, they often get even less exercise. It’s essential to help children meet these guidelines to keep them at a healthy weight and reduce the risk of potential chronic diseases.
When winter season is upon us, it’s a good idea to arm yourself with some ideas to get your kids moving!
Benefits of Winter Exercise for Kids
There are many benefits for keeping your child fit and active, including:
- Maintains healthy weight
- Improves posture
- Better sleep
- Strengthens bones and muscles
- Increases flexibility
- Improves balance
- Helps with stress and anxiety
- Improves focus
- Improves confidence
Winter Exercise for Kids
Here are a few tips to keep your little ones safely growing!
Go Outside!
Sure, it’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you need to be indoors. The key is to dress in layers, wear appropriate footwear, put on thick, warm socks, grab some cozy gloves, and always wear a hat. Plus, once you actually get moving around and your heart rate starts going up, you will start feeling warm in no time. Hang out with your kids while taking a walk through the park, shooting some basketball, or letting them play outside with friends.
Avoid Cabin Fever
Winter months often result in remaining indoors for extended periods of time. Consider taking your kids to other indoor locations for a few fun hours, including basketball courts, hockey rinks, bowling alleys, roller skating rinks, or an indoor pool.
Active Video Games
If your kids love playing video games anyway, why not encourage them to play games that get them moving. While not quite the same as playing outdoors, it still gets your family moving in the warmth and comfort of your living room. Nintendo Wii, for example, has Just Dance and Wii Sports, which many kids enjoy. Xbox 360 also has many active, fun games. Research shows that kids who play active video games are more likely to participate in non-gaming exercises.
A kid’s main job is to play. Being active keeps their bones robust and immune system working and keeps the winter blues at bay. Encouraging your kids to play and be active isn’t just about having fun, and it’s also about being healthy. When you encourage them to find enjoyment in exercising, you help establish a routine that could be a big part of their lives as adults.
There are many ways to keep your kids active and physically healthy, even during the coldest and darkest months of the year. Children and teenagers enjoy lots of variety, and when exercise is fun, they will stick to it for a long time. Additionally, trying new winter activities as a family keeps everyone healthy, and it’s a great way to bond.
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