Keeping your family fit can be a fun adventure. But for folks who face frigid climates in the winter, it can also be a challenge. It doesn't take long for kids and even adults who sit inside all day to get antsy. Make good use of pent-up energy and keep your family active with these enjoyable indoor and outdoor wintertime exercises and activities.
Indoor
– Bring outdoor games inside. With a little supervision and self-discipline jump ropes, hula hoops, and hopscotch can become fun indoor activities to keep kids moving during the cold months.
– Build an obstacle course. Raid your house for items large and small to use as barriers in your course. If your family enjoys competition, grab a stop watch to spice up the activity and see who can complete the course the quickest.
– Play lively indoor games. Activities like hide-and-seek and Simon says get students up and moving around the house. Make the movement educational by tying a scholastic theme to a game of musical chairs, charades, or a scavenger hunt.
– Create a family workout plan. Team up to achieve a group goal or compete against one another to see who can do the longest wall sit, the fastest set of jumping jacks, or the most pushups and sit-ups in a row.
Outdoor
– Plan a winter picnic. Bundle up and bring along your favorite warm foods. Learn about nutrition as you pack soup, warm sandwiches, and hot chocolate or cider, then enjoy a workout as you hike to your cozy winter cookout. When you arrive, learn wintertime survival skills as you build a fire to keep warm during dinner.
– Enjoy the snow. It may be cold, but playing in the snow is also a great workout! Go sledding, skiing, or snowboarding on nearby slopes. Visit a local ice rink and test your balance on skates. If you don't have recreational amenities nearby, build snowmen and snow angels in the backyard.
On the Go
– Use community resources. A day outside the house can do everyone some good. Spend an afternoon with your family at an indoor pool, rock climbing facility, or a bowling alley.
– Take a fieldtrip. Complement your student's education while sneaking in some exercise by exploring a local aquarium, museum, or science center.
Perhaps the best way to motive kids to move is to lead by example. Youngsters who see parents or siblings snuggling under blankets in front of the TV will likely want to follow suit. No matter what activity you choose, plan and participate in events as a family to keep everyone engaged.
What wintertime activities does your distance learning family enjoy?