I know some articles I share and post talk about letting kids play independently outside without adult intervention so as to drive creativity, but it's also healthy for the kids to see us play and be active too!
Instilling an active lifestyle with our kids will help them become active adults. Stats Canada just released a study that active parents are found to have more active kids than those parents that are not active role models for their children. I like being the role model for my girls and getting outside on a daily basis (even if it is only to harvest the raspberries from our garden on a yucky rainy day). I also enjoy getting in touch with nature and the outdoors to unplug so I am easily motivated to go for a walk to a nearby playground or park.
Here are just a few ideas of some of the many ways we can be more active role models in our daily lives;
Instilling an active lifestyle with our kids will help them become active adults. Stats Canada just released a study that active parents are found to have more active kids than those parents that are not active role models for their children. I like being the role model for my girls and getting outside on a daily basis (even if it is only to harvest the raspberries from our garden on a yucky rainy day). I also enjoy getting in touch with nature and the outdoors to unplug so I am easily motivated to go for a walk to a nearby playground or park.
Here are just a few ideas of some of the many ways we can be more active role models in our daily lives;
- go for walks in the evening (before or after dinner, and sometimes to a local park)
- take a bike to work or walk instead of taking the subway or bus a few blocks
- head to the beach
- set up a sprinkler or water balloon fight in the backyard
- organize a friendly neighbourhood sports game (football, soccer, soft ball, shinny, tag, you name it!)
popping water balloons in the backyard
Swimming is also a great outdoor activity if you have access to an outdoor pool or body of water. Note: you can find some of Durham Region's outdoor pools listed here. Swimming in public is something a lot of parents shy away from for various reasons......need to buy a new swimsuit, not comfortable getting in the water, not comfortable showing more skin, don't know how to swim...and other personal reasons. Living in a country with the most bodies of fresh water in the world I think it is valuable for us to know how to swim, and know how to swim with our kids. If you want some motivation to learn to swim yourself I came across a great story from a local resident and her experience with swimming lessons later in life. We love swimming and it doesn't take much to teach kids water safety or the basics of how to swim with a flotation device. This past weekend we actually taught our 3.5 year old how to rescue herself. We call it 'the princess rescues herself' so that if she ever falls in when an adult is not nearby, she will know how to get to the nearest edge of the pool and climb out if she can. I encourage all parents to get in a swimsuit and get in the water with their kids....leave the self consciousness and judgement on the pool deck and just dive in!
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You don't have to go outside though to be an active role model for the kidlets. There are also some indoor ways to stay active and play with your kids too as cited from Parents.com. One of our personal favourites is a break-dance competition (our 3.5 year old loves dancing to hip hop and loves 'posing' at the end of a break-dance challenge haha). We also enjoy a good game of make believe which usually ends in us chasing each other around the house (it's a great workout I promise).
How do you like playing and staying active with your kids in the summer?
How do you like playing and staying active with your kids in the summer?
yaaaarrrr matey! playing make believe games is a great way to stay active with young kids
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