Tips To Keep Kids Active (Even During School Breaks)

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This post was sponsored by Boys & Girls Clubs of America as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Recently, I decided to start working towards a healthier lifestyle. I decided this because I want to set a good example for my kids. One of those examples I want to set is that we don’t just work on being healthy when we have (like for P.E. at school). I also want to make sure my kids know that health isn’t just about our physical well-being.

Triple Play: Mind, Body, & Soul

One thing I think we often forget when we talk about health and keeping kids active is that it isn’t just about our bodies. It is also about our mind and our soul.

In partnership with the Anthem Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company, Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers the Triple Play program to kids and teens in its Clubs across the country, encouraging kids to not only stay active but to eat right and form positive relationships. It is about a more complete picture of health. The triple play program teaches kids about making smart nutritional choices and the importance of an active lifestyle, but it also teaches them about self-confidence. They understand that all three of these are an important part of helping kids reach their full potential.

Here is the thing though, as parents, we can help teach our kids all of these important lessons and habits. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America want to help parents know how they can help their kids stay active and healthy during school breaks. They have a downloadable Parent’s Guide as well as many other great resources available to parents. It is filled with fun games and other information. My favorites are the tips for eating while away, including some info for eating at fast food restaurants.

I love that I can take my kids to Boys & Girls Clubs of America and know they are not only in a safe environement, but in one that will help them grow and reinforce healthy habits and character building experiences. Even more, I love that they are helping parents find ways to keep kids active and reach their full potential at home as well.

Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe, fun and affordable location for kids to go and be part of enriching activities and programs when they are not in school. There are more than 4,300 clubs across the country that serve over 4 million kids and teens.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America believe every single child deserves a great future and have three pillars they focus on – academic success, good character & citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The Boys and Girls Clubs mission is to help all children reach their full potential, and these three pillars are an important part of that mission.

I love all of the suggestions in the Parent’s Guide. I will definitely be implementing them in our home. So what does my family already do to help keep active?

Tips To Keep Kids Active During School Breaks

As a parent, it can be hard to help our kids be active and healthy, especially during school breaks when we still have so much going on but their schedule and routine is completely out the window. Below are some tips to help keep kids active, even during those school breaks.

Make a game of it.

If I make activity seem like a chore or something my oldest son has to do, he is pretty against doing it. Instead, I find make it into a game gets him excited to get active. Some things we do is play several card or board games that involve being active. Charades, video dance games, and more are a great way to keep kids active and exercising during school breaks.

Explore local attractions

Try and get out and explore local attractions at least once a week. My family loves hiking and we also have a zoo pass so we can visit anytime we want. While most people think that these activities are only for the summer, my family actually really enjoys getting out during the cooler months as well. In the winter, a 40 degree day can feel like spring. We just bundle up and head out as often as we can.

Turn up the music

If you have little ones, dancing is a great activity. I love having music on in the house, so it is pretty easy to just turn on some music and get my kids dancing. I remember when I was little dancing around the house to all of my favorite songs, even making up little routines (can’t believe I just shared that). It definitely kept me more active then days when I didn’t have music playing.

Make it a family affair

Do things together as a family to make your activities a part of your lifestyle. Like  mentioned above, my family loves to hike. We also have done some local 5ks together. In fact, the Goof ran (because he refused to be worn or ride in a stroller) his first 5k at 2 1/2 years old. It was a full family event, and it was a lot of fun, so to him, it was just out having fun with his family. Same with when we did a 5k last fall with him and the (then) 18 month old twins. We do a lot of these activities together so it isn’t just mom or dad telling them to “go outside and be active” by themselves.

Utilize local resources

One option I think parents often forget about is community resources that can help keep kids active, like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Boys & Girls Clubs are a great resource to the community. I love that it is a safe place for kids to go and be active and social. They are especially great if you live in apartments or condo where you may not have a yard for your kids to go play in. Many Boys & Girls Clubs offer extended hours during school breaks.

How will you help your kids stay active over their school breaks?

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