Stay Active Indoors

Photo: @helloerinv

Stay Active Indoors

Winter is just around the corner, and we will inevitably begin spending more time indoors. Instead of turning on the TV and watching endless cartoons, find ways to stay active indoors! If you have a little one ages 0-3, you’re in a very crucial time period for development. While you may think the winter months fly by and staying in is OK, you may be losing crucial developmental opportunities.

You may be thinking that you don’t even get in an hour of activity in the warm months every day—how are you supposed to do it in the winter? Between work, commutes to and from home, errands, and chores, there can be little time left over for family activities. But we have some ideas that may help you get started! And as a bonus, these ideas double as quality time—something we all need more of.

•      Turn up the music. Put in some of your old CDs or turn on a fun Pandora station! Dance around, be silly, and make up some new moves. Your little ones may find some new favorite songs from your collection. Before you know it, you’ll all be sweating and exhausted from all the fun.
•      Play make-believe. Imagination is such a powerful thing—and something that children have in abundance. Pretend that the floor is hot lava, or that you’re on a mission to save the world! You’ll be surprised how much exercise you can get in just by playing.
•      Take fitness breaks. It may be during commercials or in between chores, but make fitness fun! By taking fitness breaks, you’re also teaching your kids how easy it is to fit activity into their day—something that will help them for years to come.
•      Play follow the leader or Simon Says. Whoever the leader is gets to pick what everyone has to do until turns change. Not only does this keep you physically active, but also mentally, which is just as important!
•      Rename popular exercises. Push-ups, squats and sit-ups are much more fun when you call them something silly. If your little one has a favorite book, TV show or movie, name the moves after a character or theme.
•      Build something! Whether you break out the Legos and see who can make the tallest tower or use pillows and blankets to make a fort—build something!
•      Have a friendly competition. Break out the nerf guns, light sabers, or board games to have a friendly competition. Not only will you be the coolest mom EVER, but it also instills the values of good sportsmanship in your little ones when they see you lose gracefully (wink, wink).
•      Get outside. Just a reminder that no matter how cold it is, you can still go outside! Bundle up and play in the backyard or take a walk around the neighborhood. Fresh air is good for you and running around will help you warm up. Plus, it’s always a good excuse to come back inside and warm up some soup and enjoy hot cocoa together.

Staying active during the colder winter months doesn’t have to be a challenge. Save this list and look back at it when you find yourself at a loss for something to do inside. As always, we are here to be of support to you. Please contact us anytime Care@theollieworld.com.