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SALT LAKE CITY — Your kids are back in school, the fall fashions are back at the mall, and before you know it, snow will be drifting across the road again. This is Utah, after all. As the temperatures drop, it can be challenging to figure out how to keep your kids active. Here are five ideas to help your family conquer the cold and keep the blood flowing:
1.Outdoor fun
Dig out your box of scarves and hats and head outside. My kids love to play in the leaves and play soccer at our local park. When the snow arrives, gather the kids on your block together and organize a big snowball fight or build a snowman. Planning outdoor activities is a great way to get to know people, strengthen the bonds within your family and have fun. Afterwards, serve up some hot cocoa and share stories around your kitchen table.
2.Indoor activities
There are lots of indoor activities that are fun for the whole family. Go karts, indoor trampolines and roller-skating rinks are open year-round, and offer a chance for your family to get out of the house during the chilly months. If you’re looking for an inexpensive day of fun, some major malls along the Wasatch Front have free play areas to explore.
3.Museum trips
Science museums, aquariums, planetariums and even art museums are educational and active at the same time. Some venues also offer special kids’ exhibits and activities with a hands-on approach to learning.
4.Clubs and sports teams
Encouraging your children to learn a new skill and hobby is a great way for them to build new relationships, too. Sign them up for an activity like ice hockey or rock climbing, or have them join a local club for volunteer experience. Find out if your community or school offers programs in dance, football or indoor track. Swimming lessons are a great way to prepare your children for the summer, too. According to Jim Spears, president of Swim Jim, teaching your preschool-aged child to swim can help save his or her life, because drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for this age group.
5.Stay-cation
Sometimes, it’s just too cold outside, and the last thing you want to do is bundle your kids up and pack them into the car. Why not build an obstacle course in your living room? My kids love to gather up blankets, drape them across our kitchen chairs and make a tent. We make a batch of popcorn, pop in a movie and “camp” in our living room. The possibilities for fun are endless, and staying active during the colder months of the year is a great way to teach your children good habits later in life.
Andrew Johnson is a search marketing specialist for SEO.com and lives in Salt Lake County with his two kids.
