Promoting outdoor activities all year round

Given the climate in most of Canada, icy, humid or snowy conditions are inevitable for many months of the year. And whether we like it or not, weather and seasonality are a barrier to Canadian children being physically vigorous. We need to find ways to lend a hand kids (and parents and educators) enjoy the outdoors and stay vigorous all year round.

This is especially crucial because children are more vigorous outdoors than indoors. Because children’s activity levels vary depending on the seasonProviding children with opportunities to be outdoors all year round is crucial to ensure compliance with mobility guidelines.

Physical activity during chilly and damp months

Snow and low temperatures are associated with low levels of physical activity. Parents found warmer seasons to be more conducive to physical activity for their children, and colder seasons to be more conducive bigger challenges.

Moreover, the social and built environment of children is not conducive to an vigorous lifestyle in the winter. When temperatures are low, social norms among Canadians encourage staying indoors and participating in more sedentary behaviors, such as watching movies, watching shows, playing video games, reading books, or doing crafts. Similarly, extremely warm and damp days also tend to force children to stay indoors.

In many environments where children spend most of their time during the week (schools and childcare facilities), strict rules apply rules prohibiting outdoor play when temperatures drop below a certain levelEven if children can go outside, they are many safety regulations it is necessary to observe those restrictions (e.g. prohibiting the apply of certain outdoor equipment, splashing in puddles and creating snow mounds) that inhibit children’s innate need to move around in the fresh air.

Fortunately, the changing seasons also offer unique opportunities to get vigorous, try different activities, and improve hearty behaviors. Different environments—including water, ice, and snow—provide opportunities to develop or improve fresh skills, such as balance, coordination, agility, lifting and lowering, running, crawling, throwing, and jumping.

How to lend a hand kids stay vigorous all year round

Based on current research, there are many evidence-based recommendations which you can apply to get lend a hand support, encourage and promote increased levels of activity among children.

Let it be fun and positive. Children have different interests and passions, so it is crucial to offer and enable activities that your child will enjoy. This may require some trial and error: you may make mistakes and you may discover that different children in your home enjoy different activities.

Stick to your routine. Find the times of activity that work best for your family and stick to them. In some cases, you may need to get innovative and consider fresh ways to be vigorous if you can’t play outside (heat or icy warnings). Also, remember that it gets shadowy earlier in the winter months.

Make it a family affair. Physical activity should be valued and prioritized by the entire family. Getting everyone involved (including the family dog!) provides key opportunities to model hearty behaviors and provide positive behavioral cues. Bonus: physical activity is a great way to spend time and strengthen family bonds.

DestroyChildren do not have to collect recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily in one fight. You can break it down and still reap the health benefits. Every little bit counts!

Dress to impress. Wear layers (this will lend a hand kids regulate their body temperature) made of breathable materials that repel water, and wear gloves, hats, and balmy shoes when there’s a risk of frostbite. From a health and safety perspective, wear reflective clothing (to be observable at night), apply sunscreen and sunglasses (there are UVA/UVB rays, and water and snow-covered surfaces reflect the sun), and remember that helmets are just as indispensable for sledding, skiing, and ice skating as they are for biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading.

Need ideas on how to get your kids moving?

There are many ways to keep children moving at any time of year. Many of these can be done in groups, with family, or even individually.

When you have a chance to take your children outside, consider offering them activities such as tag, taking walks, raking leaves, swimming in a pool or lake, biking, or rollerblading with friends.

In colder weather you can build a snowman/snow angel, go sledding, have a snowball fight, go skiing (cross-country or downhill), try your hand at snowshoeing or ice skating, lend a hand with snow removal, build a snow fort or try your hand at snow painting.

And in those cases where it’s not safe and sound to be outside, don’t let that discourage kids from moving their bodies. Either move the play inside or just step outside for a while — children need fresh air to rest from brain work and discharge energy.

Some indoor activities include: a dance party, hide-and-seek, helping with chores, yoga, participating in an outdoor game or obstacle course. If you don’t have much space indoors, visit a recreation center or sports facility.

Check out classes and activities at your local recreation center or YMCA, indoor pool, ice rink, or gym. Try ice skating or rollerblading, go bowling, or take a long walk to the local mall.

Physical activity is an indispensable part of children’s hearty development – ​​so it’s crucial to provide this need at any time of year!