Anyone who lives in the colder regions of the country knows that children have fewer opportunities to play outdoors during the winter months. Every parent wants to keep their children from becoming bored, especially if they are being kept indoors on cold days. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends that children between the ages of six to 17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Here are a few suggestions to help keep your child active during the winter:
• Playing outdoors is always an option as long as a child is dressed appropriately
• Find an indoor play space or gym
• Bowling
• Dance classes
• Visiting a museum
• Joining a sports league
• Ice skating
You can contact your local Community Center, YMCA or schools in your neighborhood to see if they have any after school programs that involve some sort of physical activity. The important thing to remember is that you want a child to be kept active and not sitting in front of a TV or computer screen for hours on end.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.