The first day of school is coming up. With the rush of gathering school supplies, packing lunches, and meeting teachers, it can be easy to lose track of time and forget to include time for children to be active. Start the school year off on the right foot by planning for physical activity!
Some children get physical activity at school during recess, physical education class, and after-school sports, but there are also many ways children can be active at home after school! Try a variety of activities to keep children interested and excited to be active. Find what works for your family and stick with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Have a Dance Party: Dancing is a great way for gets to let loose and get their energy out after a long school day! Let children pick music that will get them moving.
Go for a Walk: Walking is great activity for the whole family. You can walk in your neighborhood, on a hiking trail, through the mall, or on an indoor track. If it’s raining, you can march through the house together, letting children take turns as the leader.
Outdoor Games: Being active as a family, you can play team sports and games like basketball, soccer, kickball, baseball, and more! Try games that are easy to play in your yard or in the driveway like four square, tag, and relay races.
Yoga: Children of any age can try different yoga poses. Yoga can be a great way for children to be active while winding down their day. Doing yoga helps build strong muscles and improves flexibility. Do yoga in a room with enough space for everyone to stretch out, or you can try yoga outside.
What activity can you and your children try after school next week?