The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans publication, recommends physical activities throughout the day for kids within the range of 3 – 5 years old. Such activities promote the growth and development they need at this stage. Older kids or those aged 6 – 17 years old, on the other hand, can benefit from at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activities every day.
As adults, it is our responsibility to help children and adolescents for that matter stay active even during the cold season. Besides the fun that physical activities bring, they also promote a healthy lifestyle that young people can benefit from for the rest of their lives. These activities can safeguard children and adolescents from various diseases so that they can have the energy to enjoy life regardless of the weather.
Here are some ideas to help young people stay active and fit at the time of the year when most people struggle to move.
Limit Screen Time
It would help to expect that this negotiation may require more patience than usual. Even so, it is worth saving the young ones from the health hazards of electronic devices. They may enjoy the virtual world now. However, too much time spent there may cause them to suffer from bad posture, obesity, and poor sleep patterns later in life.
Do Some Household Chores
The cold weather may force you to stay indoors. But even if it may take more energy than average to move when it is cold, we simply cannot afford to neglect household chores. Use this as an opportunity to bond with the kids. Keep them busy while giving them practical lessons in being responsible adults.
Engage in Winter Sports
Despite the relative limitations of the season, the cold holidays can still offer exciting ways to spend quality time with the family. Take your pick from snowboarding to ice skating to skiing or anything in between.
Set Up an Indoor Playground
When you have to stay warm and dry, consider transforming a portion of the house into an indoor playground. This way, the kids can perform physical activities at various times of the day. Adults can also take comfort in knowing that the kids are safe too. If you have no idea how to build one inside your entertainment centre, reach out to our team through any of the following means: phone: +63 047 250 2779 / +63 047 251 3139 or email: sales@irec.ph. As a world-class indoor playground manufacturer, we have a lot of creative ideas you can get inspiration from.