While the holidays bring family fun and school celebrations, they can also be disruptive for your family’s routine. Once December arrives, it can be hard to make exercise a priority. But, making an effort to stay on track with healthy habits can set you up for success at the start of a new year.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an hour of physical activity time daily for kids. The secret to achieve that during the busy holiday season is to turn your family’s activity time into a fun bonding experience instead of a task on your to-do list. Here are five sneaky ways to make movement fun this time of year.
1. Have a Dance Party to Holiday Tunes
After you’ve put up all of your holiday decorations, have a dance party to fun holiday tunes! Dancing is a full-body workout that is appropriate for kids of all ages, and can be a combination of cardio and strength. To get your playlist started, try crowd-pleasers like “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”, and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
2. Make The Outdoors Your Gym
Spending time outside is good for the body any time of year, even the cold weather months! This year, take your family on a winter hike, or schedule a skiing, snowboarding or ice-skating trip.You can also enjoy sledding or snowball fights, which is great exercise (but doesn’t sound like exercise to kids!). If you wear proper gear, the fresh air will feel invigorating and you’ll create a photo-worthy family memory.
3. Exercise During Commercial Breaks
Even if you don’t live in a football household, chances are good that you’ll spend more time watching sports during the holidays. Get inspired by the players’ athleticism and do short bursts of activity during commercial breaks. Things like jumping jacks, high knees, squats, and arm/leg swings provide a great combo of cardio and stretching. Or, take a run around the house or up the street during each commercial. Make it a game by seeing if you and the kids can make it back by the time the game is back on.
4. Play A Movement Based Video Game
Some video games offer unbeatable ways to get some exercise in a fun way. Dance Dance Revolution, Just Dance and Zumba! Burn It Up are available on many gaming platforms and are a fun way to burn some energy. Ring Fit Adventure by Nintendo Switch is full of fantasy adventure and activity.
5. Play Indoors For The Day
If at-home activities are making you stir-crazy and your family isn’t a fan of the cold, consider grabbing a guest pass to an indoor playground, pool or basketball court. Enjoying a warm-weather activity during the winter can be a nice antidote to seasonal depression. Many of these locations offer one-day passes for non-members. A nice bonus: Your kids might want to return during peak season, giving you another option for fun activities when the weather warms up.
Find more tips to help your family stay active from National PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles program.
