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Winter Activity Tips
Now that winter is here there are many activities you and your child can engage in, whether you enjoy the outdoors or if you prefer to stay inside. Studies show it is so important to make sure your children get enough daily physical activity for their health. It helps them to sleep better and burn off calories.
If you enjoy the outdoors and there is snow don’t forget to make a snowman. Go on a hunt searching for objects to make a face and dress up your snowman. Walking in the snow is great exercise. Make a path of footsteps and see if your child can follow the leader staying in the path. If there is no snow think of other games to play like, bouncing a ball, playing catch, going for a nature walk, etc.. Just giving them 20-30 minutes of fresh air a day is very beneficial for them.
When indoors encourage them to play with toys using their imagination. Play some appropriate music and have a dance party. Plan to make a special snack or bake with your child, involve them in meal planning. If you like to exercise, there are many exercise videos that you and your child could do together. Have an art box ready to take out for an amount of time conducive for both of you. Include in your art box crayons, children’s scissors, glue sticks, pencils, coloring books and plain paper. Be sure to supervise your child so they use the materials appropriately. Make some play dough with your child and use small rolling pins, cookie cutters, etc. Using play dough is a great way to strengthen little hands to help with their fine motor development.
Cooked Play Dough Recipe
1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water,
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of food coloring.
Combine all ingredients in a 2 qt. saucepan continually stirring over medium heat until it forms a ball. Turn onto a plate and let cool. Knead and store in an airtight container.
Most of all, limit TV, tablets, videos and video games. Physical activity, whether it be gross motor or fine motor is so much more beneficial to your child’s health. We are all very busy but spending a little time each day with your child engaged in an activity will be cherished and remembered their whole life.
Happy Winter!
Now that winter is here there are many activities you and your child can engage in, whether you enjoy the outdoors or if you prefer to stay inside. Studies show it is so important to make sure your children get enough daily physical activity for their health. It helps them to sleep better and burn off calories.
If you enjoy the outdoors and there is snow don’t forget to make a snowman. Go on a hunt searching for objects to make a face and dress up your snowman. Walking in the snow is great exercise. Make a path of footsteps and see if your child can follow the leader staying in the path. If there is no snow think of other games to play like, bouncing a ball, playing catch, going for a nature walk, etc.. Just giving them 20-30 minutes of fresh air a day is very beneficial for them.
When indoors encourage them to play with toys using their imagination. Play some appropriate music and have a dance party. Plan to make a special snack or bake with your child, involve them in meal planning. If you like to exercise, there are many exercise videos that you and your child could do together. Have an art box ready to take out for an amount of time conducive for both of you. Include in your art box crayons, children’s scissors, glue sticks, pencils, coloring books and plain paper. Be sure to supervise your child so they use the materials appropriately. Make some play dough with your child and use small rolling pins, cookie cutters, etc. Using play dough is a great way to strengthen little hands to help with their fine motor development.
Cooked Play Dough Recipe
1 cup of flour, ½ cup of salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water,
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of food coloring.
Combine all ingredients in a 2 qt. saucepan continually stirring over medium heat until it forms a ball. Turn onto a plate and let cool. Knead and store in an airtight container.
Most of all, limit TV, tablets, videos and video games. Physical activity, whether it be gross motor or fine motor is so much more beneficial to your child’s health. We are all very busy but spending a little time each day with your child engaged in an activity will be cherished and remembered their whole life.
Happy Winter!