Tips for summer kids activities
Tuesday July 1 2008
BY Ross O' Donnell, Tips from the Trainer
I’m bored, there’s nothing to do! Sound familiar? Ya, it’s summer again and the little darlings have an abundance of time on their hands and need, no, make that want, to be entertained. Sure we can give them the age old, when I was young I was out all day keeping active! But as you know, after those words pass your lips and travel towards your kids’ ears they are translated to blah, blah, blah blah….!
There has been much media coverage over the last few years on the rapid decline of fitness levels and increase in obesity levels among our Canadian children. As adults we must be concerned over the future health issues that will create a burden on the health system. That is for us to worry about; kids just want to have fun! Now, the trick is to get the kids to want to get off the computer and get moving.
Whatever you do, do not use the words fitness, exercise or the dreaded physical activity. Words like play, games and fun will capture their attention much easier. Backyard fun can be as simple as running through the sprinkler, playing tag, tossing a Frisbee, kicking a soccer ball or throwing a baseball or football around. If you have inherited most of the neighbours kids for the day, plan out a mini-Olympics day with relay races, carrying water-filled balloons, jumping, skipping, hula-hoop and hopscotch competitions.
Take the kids for a little rollerblading or bicycling tour of the neighbourhood or to one of the many area parks. Every Kids Park is a fine example, it has everything you need and the price is right. It has climbing apparatus, swings, and slides all with a cushion-type ground surface as well as a wading pool to cool off.
The great thing about all these activities is that they contribute to fitness but are cleverly disguised as fun. If you aren’t going to have much time to be home with the kids this summer, keep in mind that the residents of Orangeville are fortunate to have minor sports and community kids programming that is second to none. With baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, lacrosse, gymnastics, football, horseback riding, summer hockey and various day camps, there is something for every child to keep active and give the video games a rest.
The time you invest in promoting play, games and fun to children of this generation is an investment in healthy active living for future generations.
We are taking steps forward in raising awareness of fitness in our youth, but think like a kid and ask yourself, are we there yet?
Ross O’Donnell, author of, “The Ultimate Fitness Boxing & Kickboxing Workout” is a Certified Can-Fit-Pro PRO-Trainer and owner of Fitness Kickboxing Canada Inc. He can be contacted at 942-1625 or info@fitnesskickboxingcanada.ca
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