Author Deb Lowther (@Deb_Lowther) writes about finding, creating and maintaining healthy family habits on her blog, Raising Healthy Kids. She's also co-hosting our upcoming Active Families Twitter party on February 11th @ 9pm. Join the party for a chance to win a family membership to the YMCA! Details here.
The snow has arrived and the kids are loving it! Finally we can all bundle up and get outside to have some fun. Snow forts, tobogganing, and making angels in fresh fluffy snow are the best part of winter. Freezing temperatures and dark nights are the not so fun part.
If your have kids who are too young to stay outside for long, or a tween who tires quickly of winter’s appeal, you are soon looking for other options to keep your family active during our long cold winters. Activities are key to a healthy family, and finding activities the whole family can enjoy is essential to enjoying an active lifestyle.
Spend as much time outdoors as you can hiking, building snowmen, skating on a frozen pond or learning to ski together, but on those days when it is just too dark or too cold, take the family fun indoors with these 5 Ways to Play this Winter:
Swimming
Kids of all ages love swimming. Look for an open recreational family swim time at your local YMCA pool to splash together, or sign the kids up for swimming lessons so they are prepared once the outdoor pools open in the summer. Look into Leadership programs such as a Junior Lifeguard club for older teens while adults can enjoy a lane swim or AquaFit cardio class in the water.
Family Fun & Games
Get your game on and join your local YMCA or recreation centre that offers open gym time for families to get involved in physical activities together. Join in on interactive games and programs that include all ages and focuses on fitness and being active together.
Play Ball
Lets play ball. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton, floor hockey, flag football, table tennis and Pickleball . . .wait, what? Pickleball? Fun for all ages, Pickleball has a short net and combines tennis, badminton and table tennis, and is available at some YMCA locations. Find family friendly ball leagues or look for open court times where you can catch a game of pick up basketball or volleyball. These kinds of team sports promote and encourage participation, team building, individual skill development and provide hours of fun for the whole family.
Learn a New Art
Kids from 6 to 106 can enjoy the practice of Yoga or Martial Arts. Build body awareness, mind control, fitness levels and self-confidence while learning something new and experiencing the art of Yoga or Tai Chi as a family.
Work it Out
If your older kids are game, take them to the gym with you and introduce them to light strength training or a cardio class under the guidance of staff or a trainer. When you are a YMCA member, younger siblings can enjoy a gym and swim class and teens can socialize at Teen Night while parents use the workout facilities.
There are many more ways to get your whole family active but these ideas are an excellent starting point. Until March 15th you can sign up to the YMCA of Greater Toronto for a free ‘5 Days 5 Ways’ trial, and enjoy 5 FREE days of family fun. Plus, check out the facilities in Brampton, Markham, Mississauga, Oshawa and Toronto on Family Day, Monday February 16th, during their FREE Open House, and talk to staff to see how the YMCA can get your family out to play this winter.
