13 Physical Exercise Hacks for Kids in Winter
Let’s talk about physical exercise for our homeschooling kids during winter.
Does your family spend most of the winter class time indoors? If so, getting some physical exercise is important to burn off some of that energy! Let’s look at some traditional and not-so-traditional ideas of ways to keep active during the long winter season.
Some moms might debate about what should be included in a healthy lifestyle physical exercise program, but debate is not the purpose of this article. Yes, we need to encourage our kids to do consistent cardiovascular activities that target heart rate, as well as muscle-building exercises, team sports, etc.
On the other hand, some types of activity are simply not for everyone, and we need to get our kids’ physical activity in any form we can, especially when it comes to wintertime… when it’s harder to find ways to work in solid physical exercise.
The good news is there are many ways to combine what seems like fun playtime with good physical activities even in winter!
Most children get a little wiggly when they are short on physical exercise, and they need that time to get moving no matter what time of year it is! This energy very quickly builds up when they can’t just pop out onto the trampoline, or run up and down the sidewalk. Thus, it is important to continue with physical exercise even when the weather is cold outside … not only for your kids’ physical health but your and their emotional well-being too.
Our advice to you for fulfilling a physical education requirement and getting in healthy physical activity is just to get up, get out, and have fun with your family!
Easy Indoor Physical Exercises
1. Game System Motion Games
Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Sports, and Wii Playground are some fun options. Obviously, They are only cost-effective if you already own a game system. Y
2. Music
Turn on some dance music and boogie! You can also learn some popular dances alongside your kids or have dance-offs … just for fun.
3. Conditioning Exercises
Work together with your kids and help each other do things like jumping jacks, sit-ups, push-ups, and leg raises. Younger kids can count for the older ones, and you can all work at increasing in number as you get better at various exercises.
Or how about an indoor mini trampoline? We have heard lots of positive feedback in the homeschooling community about them. Turn up that dance music and let them bounce away!
Outdoor Snow Activities
4. Sledding
I think the real physical exercise is in getting back up the hill!
5. Snowboarding / Skiing
Younger children can take their snowboards to the local sledding hill, and older kids or teenagers can venture out a little more, depending on their skill (and mom’s rules!).
6. Snowshoeing
Check out local nature places that might “rent” shoes for a small fee, and get out exploring nature with them.
7. Build a Snowman
Building a snowman is absolutely exercise!
8. Have a Snowball Fight
Snowball fights are the ultimate exercise in the snow. It requires lots of running to avoid the opponent’s snowball launch, squatting to build more of your own snowballs, and more running! Exercise can be non-traditional, right?
9. Build an Igloo
If your kids have mastered building snowmen, they might enjoy the challenge of building an igloo!
10. Do Service Projects
Don’t neglect the value of helping around the community and neighborhood. For example, After heavy snow, helping shovel sidewalks and driveways is a great opportunity to get some physical activity and be a blessing to others!
Local Indoor Physical Exercise
11. Ice Skating
See if your local ice skating rink has a homeschool day where you can go for a lower cost. If you end up liking it, try finding low-cost skates at a thrift store.
12. Open Swim
Yes, I know it’s winter, but if you can find an indoor pool, swimming is a terrific physical exercise option. Some schools or local community education programs will have “open swim” times and seasonal passes.
13. Local Community Center Activities
Many towns and cities have community centers that offer great activities such as open gym time, an indoor track, or family “run” nights.
All the best as you take on the unique challenge of physical exercise in winter with your kids. Please share with us the activities that help you all stay physically fit during the winter months!
You Might Also Enjoy
- 5 Easy Ways to Add Exercise into Your Day
- Making the Time to Exercise
- Non-Weight-Loss Benefits of Exercise
- New Year Exercise
[Featured Photo by Yan Krukau
I have been on the lookout for ideas, especially this winter when I have a 2 year old boy, 1 year old boy and a newborn due in feburary. My boys need physical activity in a way that my girls never demanded. We love to pull cushions off the couches and build forts and tunnels. My sister in law helped by providing an early christmas present of the folding/collapsable tunnels by playhut. We also have a gift coming of a personal size, indoor trampoline complete with side safety net – thanks to black friday online shopping at Toy’s R Us. Hopefully these combined with a basement playroom to run around can keep active feet and bodys opportunities to get those wiggles out!!