It’s no one’s fault; winter is cold, and it’s tougher for kids to run outside for exercise. Still, it’s important to keep kids moving so they stay healthy. Also, they’ll end up bored and cranky when you don’t plan for winter if they enjoy plenty of activity during the warmer months. Read on for some tips for keeping kids active during the winter if having bored and cranky kids is not an option for you.
Indoor Activities
Blizzards, ice, and freezing temperatures can create an outdoor atmosphere that isn’t safe for kids to play in. Keep a list of possible things for them to do inside the house to keep them moving on those days. Here are a few ideas:
- Set up a ping pong or pool table
- Put on some music and dance
- Play charades
- Build a living room fort
- Create an indoor obstacle course
- Hang an indoor basketball hoop
Outdoor Activities
Plenty of days during the winter are more tolerable when the weather is decent, with sunny skies, mild temperatures, and maybe even some powdery snow. It’s a great habit to instill in your children that you don’t have to stay locked indoors all winter. Here are some outdoor activity ideas for the kiddos:
- Take a walk
- Build a snowman
- Have a snowball fight
- Go sledding, skiing, or ice skating
You can also check out the local community park. Not all parks close for the winter, and there might be plenty to do on sunny days. Gaga ball is a great way to stay active and has become a popular playground activity. It’s easy to play it in the winter if the ground is clear of ice. Basketball courts may also be open.
Organized Activities
Visit your children’s school gym or local recreation center for organized sports and other winter activities if you run out of outdoor and indoor activity ideas. Your child’s school likely has plenty to offer, and recreation centers often have the following winter activities available for children:
- Swim lessons and open swim
- Dance classes
- Yoga for kids
- Skating
- Indoor soccer, basketball, and tennis
- Gymnastics
There’s no need to stay locked up when it’s cold outside. Keep your kids active all winter with planned activities.
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