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Fit as a Family
Cold-weather Activities
By Kelly Burgess
Winter can make staying fit a real challenge. While playing in the snow is fun, sometimes it's too cold to even do that safely. Sometimes there isn't even any snow – it's just cold! Parking yourself in front of the TV or video games not only leads to weight gain, but kids can get pretty rowdy if they're cooped up without a physical outlet for their energy.
No one knows that better than Debi Pillarella, M.Ed., C.P.T., a nationally recognized expert on children's fitness and the mother of two boys, ages 8 and 10. "My sons are typical boys; they like video games just like other kids, but they do have a time limit," she says. "I use timers a lot, and I'll just tell them it's time to go and get some physical activity. I've made it a habit, just like brushing their teeth or going to bed."
Create a Bucket O' Fitness Fun:
- Jump ropes
- Resistance bands
- Hacky sack balls
- Nerf balls
- Light weights
- Hula hoops
- Bouncing balls
- Cones
- Bean bags
Create a Gym-like Atmosphere:
- Mats
- Fitness stations
- Fun music
- Weights (empty milk jugs filled with water)
- VCR/CD player and TV with fitness tapes
Play Fun Fitness Games:
- Balloon relays
- Cotton ball (as "snow" balls) fights
- Indoor Olympics
- Fitness Jar Fun (pick an activity out of a jar)
Many of the above activities can be done as a family or just by the children. When the kids are younger, Pillarella says it's very important to get involved in the physical activity. Parents are important guides and teachers in how to be active. However, as they get older, say older elementary to middle school, parents can step back a little more and expect children to be active on their own, so they know how without always having Mom right there. This is particularly important as they move into their teen years and become naturally more sedentary. At that age, it's not wise to force them because they'll resist, but if they have the tools they may continue an active life.