Keeping kids active while they’re at home is so important. It’s good for their physical and mental health. Plus, moving around is fun and it burns off some of that excess energy. Yet as a father himself, Dr. Scramstad knows dreaming up new activities can be a struggle. That’s why the team at Straight Smiles thought we would help by sharing some of our favourite ideas for keeping kids active at home:
Do a Daily Gym Class With Joe Wicks
Joe Wicks, known as the Body Coach, has taken on the role of the world’s gym teacher while kids are off from school. Every weekday, he posts a new, free P.E. With Joe video to his YouTube channel with a 30-minute, total-body workout for kids. The workouts are excellent for children and teens of all ages. Really small children may have to make some modifications but they’ll still have a blast!
Take a Family Bike Ride
Go on a bike ride as a family either around your neighbourhood or on a less busy trail. Riding bikes is always one of the best activities to do with kids, in general, but now, it’s even more ideal since it’s easier to avoid getting too close to others while you’re on a bike. Plus, it’s great exercise for the whole family.
Create a Backyard Obstacle Course
Obstacles courses make for amazing things to do with kids at home because they require planning, which you can do with your children, putting together, and then having an awesome time actually using them. Use things you have on hand to create a course that involves running, jumping and climbing. Once it’s set up in the backyard (or if you don’t have a yard, you can do a smaller indoor course!), have kids either beat their own times or make it a competition with a family Olympics. Playtivities has a roundup of low-prep outdoor and indoor obstacle course ideas.
Have a Dance Party
Dancing is another great way to keep kids active at home even on a rainy day. Put on some music and just dance. If your kiddo prefers a little more structure, Kidz Bop has free dance along videos on YouTube. MihranTV also has free, easy kids’ choreography videos where kids can learn different dances.
Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Put together a nature scavenger hunt and have kids run around in your backyard or on a family hike finding different things. Print out of a few of these free nature Bingo cards and ask kids to cross off each item as they see it. Themes include birds, bugs, trees, pollinators and general nature. You can also create your own and, depending on their age, have them write down what they spot in a notebook.
Have Daily Recess
Taking short breaks throughout the day is key for keeping everyone in the family sane. Kids will do better with their schoolwork and you might find you work better yourself when you get up every so often and either get outside or move around a little indoors. Schedule at least one or two 20-30-minute recesses each day. You can take a walk, stretch, play in your yard or even do simple activities like playing hide and seek, tag or jumping rope.
Do Yoga
Yoga is great because it keeps kids moving and it helps them de-stress and learn mindfulness. Cosmic Kids Yoga has free yoga videos for kids on YouTube with yoga for both younger and older kids. Each class centers around a story and kids go on an adventure while doing corresponding poses. Or, you can download the Cosmic Kids app and get two weeks free.
We hope these ideas for ways to keep kids active while social distancing help and we hope everyone is staying safe! We can’t wait to see you all again when our Kelowna orthodontic practice re-opens. In the meantime, if you’re an existing patient and you have an issue or just want to ensure your treatment is on track, schedule an online appointment! Or, if you’re a new patient considering straightening your teeth, complete a virtual consultation.
