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HOME/Fitness and Nutrition/7 Exercise Ideas to Keep Kids Active This Winter

7 Exercise Ideas to Keep Kids Active This Winter

7 Exercise Ideas to Keep Kids Active This Winter
January 11, 2024
Christopher Kist, MS, CEP
5 Comments

We’re all aware that regular physical activity is important and has many health benefits. But even some very active kids have a difficult time keeping the exercise going during the winter months. I get it — it’s cold, it’s dark earlier, and the couch is so inviting.

But despite the weather, it’s important to get kids active and help them stay that way, because the majority of them aren’t getting enough exercise — especially in the winter months. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children and adolescents ages 6-17 receive 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. This should include aerobic activity as well as age-appropriate muscle- and bone-strengthening activities like push-ups, running, jumping and active play.

Only about 1 in 4 high school students get the recommended hour a day of physical activity. And during the winter months, adolescents are a lot less active than the summer months. Helping kids meet these guidelines can help promote a healthy weight and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.

With the winter-like weather in full swing, now is the time to arm your family with some strategies to get and keep them moving! Here are some ideas we share with our patients and families in our Center for Better Health and Nutrition / HealthWorks! programs to help them beat the winter exercise blues:

7 Exercise Ideas to Keep Your Kids Active This Winter

1. Go outside

Just because it’s cold outside does not mean you have to stay inside! The key is to bundle up. Dress in layers, wear boots instead of gym shoes, thicker, warmer socks, a hat at all times, and mittens or gloves. Moving around outside and getting your heart rate up will help keep you warm as well. Encourage your kids to walk the dog, go to the park, shoot basketball or play outside with friends.

2. Try another indoor location

Especially in the winter months, getting out of the house can help prevent cabin fever. Try choosing a location that also incorporates physical activity like a bowling alley, local gym, indoor basketball court, roller or ice skating rink, or an indoor pool. Here’s a link for indoor exercise locations in Cincinnati.

3. Check out a new indoor class

If you’re looking to get your kids involved in something fun and consistent, enroll them in a class. It’s a great way to try something new, be active, and meet new people. There are many available classes throughout the community. In Cincinnati, they can attend Fun2Bfit kids’ exercise classes offered at many different YMCAs. Or try a Ninja Warrior class just for kids!

4. Try an exercise video

If you have trouble getting to a class or they don’t like group activities, have your kids try a kid-friendly exercise video. We developed our own exercise videos to help them get moving over the winter. There are also quite a few other online exercise resources out there. Here are a few of my favorites: gonoodle.com, PopSugar fitness, fitnessblender.com, and Alo yoga for kids. We also have a Healthy Living Series on YouTube that highlights many different exercise, nutrition and wellness tips for getting your family on the right track.

5. Workout while gaming

If your kids love video games, why not incorporate some physical activity at the same time? Although it’s probably not as beneficial as outdoor play, the latest gaming systems offer some great, family-friendly options to get everybody moving. And this can be done from the warmth of your living room.

There are many new virtual reality games that are very active along with the Xbox 360® Kinect and the Playstation®Move. A recent study showed that children who participated regularly in active video games were more likely to take up forms of non-gaming exercise as well.

6. Do more everyday activities

Everyday activities can count as exercise too, so long as your kids are getting their heart rates up. Things like walking the dog, getting the mail, or going to the park. Incorporating these activities into your kids’ daily routines will help them develop a healthy lifestyle that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Parents should encourage an hour a day, but these activities can be accumulated throughout the day, not necessarily all at once.

7. Limit screen time

It’s worth noting that children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of a screen, which includes TV, videogames, computers and iPads. This is likely one of the reasons why kids today just aren’t getting enough physical activity. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents limit their kids’ screen time to two hours or less a day. By doing this, kids are much more likely to be active.

I believe that in order for kids to find exercise fun, they need lots of variety. And when they find exercise fun, they’re much more likely to stick with it over an extended period of time. Plus, trying new physical activities together as a family will not only benefit your kids’ health, but can help fight the winter exercise blues too. So get up, get moving, and stay active this winter!

For more information about our Center for Better Health and Nutrition, or to schedule an appointment, please call 513-636-4305.

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About the author: Christopher Kist, MS, CEP

Christopher Kist, MS, CEP, has a master’s degree in Fitness and Wellness and is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist. He is the exercise program supervisor for the Center for Better Health and Nutrition, which is a medically-based pediatric weight management program for children and adolescents.

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Comments

dharmaprom May 16, 2016 at 6:29 am

Exercise helps kids achieve and maintain a healthy body weight

Arthur Morrison January 8, 2019 at 9:50 pm

It really can help to make sure that your kids stay active and healthy during the winter, especially if they like to workout. Because of this, it can definitely help to look at indoor classes as an option for your children. After all, some classes might even offer personal trainers to help your kids stay in shape.

Emilie Megan May 13, 2019 at 7:25 am

Thumbs Ups to your such an informative post. No doubt these ideas can improve the health of the children to a greater value.

Kristina January 10, 2021 at 9:05 pm

This winter has been particularly rough trying to workout, especially with the pandemic and the gyms closed. my kids need to get out and do something for their mental health and physical health! I came across some exercise tips during the cold that were helpful, https://www.ez.insure/landing/2021/01/tips-for-exercising-outdoors/.

TheJeepDiva February 21, 2024 at 3:33 am

Great post! I’m always looking for ways to keep my kids active and healthy during the winter months, and these exercises look like a lot of fun. I especially love the idea of making a “winter wonderland” obstacle course – my kids are going to love it! thanks for sharing!

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