Saturday, September 26, 2009

Fall Activities

This time of year is perfect to be outside! There are so many options on ways to keep your family active, here are some FALL favorites...

1. Racking and jumping in the leaves
2. Taking a walk and see the beauiful changing leaves
3. Visit a pumpkin patch, or corn maze
4. Playing football,if your girls don't love the idea of playing football let them be the cheerleaders.
5. Fishing and hunting
6. Bike rides
7. Hiking

Middle School- High School

This age can be hard, if your teens haven't already developed a love of  being active, it might be hard to get the video games away from them. It can also be very easy if your teens have already developed a love for a sport, hiking, dancing, biking, skateboarding, ect. Then your job is done! But for those parents of not so active teen, lets see what we can do.

1. Talk to them about getting invovled in something in the community or at school (sports, biking, anything!)
2. Do some investingating for them and see whats out there
3. See if they would like to do some activities with the family (ya never know, right?)
4. Yard work
5. Make sure they sign up for P.E.
6. Paper route
7. Run or walk with them

Pre K-Elementry School

As the children enter into Preschool and Kindergarten there are a  number of opportunities that become available to them every different season. I don't want to always be running kids everywhere, but even one activity a week gives them a sense of belonging and accomplishment. But also remember at this age it is suppose to be fun, not super competitive, let the kids have fun!

1. Soccer
2. Touch football
3. T-Ball
4. Dance
5. Karate
6. Gymnastics
7. Playing outside
8. Riding bikes
9. Swimming

Toddlers

When our little ones begin to walk, well, it changes EVERYTHING! As well as a heightened fear of what baby is doing at all times, we can also enjoy the new activities we can do together. Being active early in life will make it a habit and a way of life.

1. Learning to jump, skip, and run
2. New actvities such as "ring around the rosies"
3. Follow the leader
4. Kicking and throwing a ball
5. Walking up and down stairs
6. Playing at the park
7. Blowing and chasing bubbles
8. Keeping up to older siblings
9. Taking a walk
10. Helping with chores 

Up to one year old

Babies are so much fun. They grow so fast, and start moving around before we know it! But we need to remember that babies need to be played with and encouraged to be active to help them develop.
1. Peek-a-boo
2. Talking to baby
3.Giving the baby things to hold
4. Laying baby down on belly to play and strength arms and neck
5. Giving baby things to look at
6. Singing to baby

Fall Activities

This time of year is perfect to be outside! There are so many options on ways to keep your family active, here are some FALL favorites...

1. Racking and jumping in the leaves
2. Taking a walk and see the beauiful changing leaves
3. Visit a pumpkin patch, or corn maze
4. Playing football,if your girls don't love the idea of playing football let them be the cheerleaders.
5. Fishing and hunting
6. Bike rides
7. Hiking

Winter Activities

Growing up I was ALWAYS outside, all year long. I think we often times forget that our kids can get dressed warm and have a great time OUTSIDE!

1. Skiing and Snowboarding
2. Ice Skating
3. Building a snowman
4. Sledding
5. Dance around with your little ones to holiday music
6. Shoveling snow
7. Take a winter walk
8. Christmas caroling
9. Cutting down your own family christmas tree
10. Putting up Christmas lights
11. Decorating for the different holidays
12. Holiday shopping
13. Snow shoeing
14. Building a snow fort