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Merry Fitness!
Holiday Activities to Delight the Whole Family
By Rae Pica, Children's Movement Specialist
After the holidays last year, a friend told me she was so intent on getting "everything done" – gifts bought, cookies made, presents wrapped – that she had to turn down the get-togethers she was invited to. "It undermined the whole point of the holidays!" she said.
Unfortunately, she was probably one of thousands who had a similar experience. Over the holidays a lot of us get so wrapped up in our to-do lists that we forget this is a time of year set aside for family, friends and fun. With that in mind, here are some ideas you can use to ensure you and your toddler embrace the holiday spirit and even throw a little fitness into the mix!
Playing holiday music? Don't just listen to it – get up and move! You can even make a game of Statues out of it. Move in any way you want while the music is playing and freeze into a statue (an ice sculpture?) when the music stops (you press the pause button). Try it to a number of different pieces. "Frosty the Snowman" will inspire an entirely different kind of movement than does "Silent Night." How does "Carol of the Bells" make you and your toddler feel like moving? Add another element to the game by holding leftover strips of ribbon in each hand as you dance. How does the music make the ribbon want to move? (This is the perfect activity when you've been hunched over your gift wrapping or baking and need to get those muscles in motion.)
At this time of year you can make a wonderful obstacle course with the furniture plus
