By 4:30 p.m., it gets dark outside in winter. Your kid is on the couch, with a tablet and buried in a blanket up to their nose. Getting them up feels mean, as you’d rather stay put too.
That’s how winter works on kids. They go outside less, sit more and after a few weeks the couch becomes the default. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, kids aged 6 to 17 need at least 60 minutes of activity daily, while children between 3 and 5 need to be physically active throughout the day.
While short and cold afternoons make this goal hard to achieve, you can fix it without a gym or a snowy yard. Make your kids try these activities when the weather turns cold.
1. Dress for the Cold, Then Go Outside
Kids don’t quit outdoor play because of the cold. They quit because of one soggy glove or a thin jacket. Five minutes in, they’re at the door asking to go home.
Your children should wear layers of clothes even if you plan to step outdoors with them. Start with thermal clothing, then add sweaters, and finally windproof jackets. Be sure to pack extra gloves. These things will help your children enjoy outdoor activities.
2. Turn the Living Room into an Obstacle Course
Pillows become stepping stones. A piece of masking tape becomes a balance beam. The laundry basket makes a good hoop when placed against the wall.
Time your child on the obstacle course and then allow them to construct another one on their way. Children love changing the rules, and moving pillows is also a form of exercise. Ten minutes of crawling, hopping, and balancing can wear out a little body quickly.
3. Start a Daily Dance Break Routine
Choose a time for dance break routine. It could be right after homework or while doing the laundry. Play two or three songs and make everyone in your household move.
This activity doesn’t have to be perfect. Your toddler can whirl, bounce, and land on the carpet floor. Jump in yourself, no matter how silly you feel.
4. Slip Exercise into Games
There are some games that help children exercise in a hidden way. Make them play a game of balloon volleyball, where they can try to keep the balloon off the ground for as long as possible. You can also try freeze dance. In this game, you just need to play some music and ask the participants to freeze whenever the music stops playing.
Playing hide and seek also counts. A short yoga video might suit kids who like it calm. Not every child wants to run. Getting off the sofa is the whole point.
5. Sign Up for Something Indoors
Sometimes home just isn’t enough. An exercise class will give your child the benefit of having companionship, being on a schedule, and a reason for leaving the house when there’s no sun. Swimming, gymnastics, karate and rock climbing are all activities that happen all year round. Children can also join indoor basketball classes or leagues during winter.
Community recreation centers usually charge less than private health clubs for their activities. A kid who gets to choose shows up at the class with more enthusiasm than the one who is enrolled for them.
6. Make Winter itself the Activity
There are many places that don’t experience snowfall. But there is always something about just experiencing the winter breeze. Take a walk after dinner and use your flashlight to look for stars. Collect pine cones or take an exciting walk during the bright Saturday afternoon.
If snow does fall, make the most of it. Build a snowman, drag a sled up the hill and ride back down. Set up a target for a snowball contest. An hour out in the snow can leave a kid flushed and happy.
7. Make Winter Chores a Moving Activity
There are plenty of winter activities that will encourage your child to move without realizing it’s exercise. Let them help you bring in the laundry, store groceries, clean their room, or sweep the floor.
Make it into a little competition. See how fast they can put away their toys or how many things they can carry to the right place. Be sure to do it safely and age-appropriately.
These short bursts of activity will make your child physically active and help you with a couple of household tasks at once.
A few easy habits can carry your kid to spring. With these activities around, if someday you hear shrieking from the living room, cushions flying, and the floor declared lava. That’s your sign it’s working.
