{"id":8940,"date":"2017-12-28T21:04:55","date_gmt":"2017-12-28T21:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/?p=8940"},"modified":"2017-12-28T21:04:55","modified_gmt":"2017-12-28T21:04:55","slug":"4-ways-keep-kids-healthy-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/es\/4-ways-keep-kids-healthy-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways to Keep Kids Healthy During the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

While most children eagerly await the start of winter break, the time off from school can present a challenging conundrum to parents: in a season when so many activities are centered around eating and indulging, how can we ensure our kids stay healthy during the holidays?<\/p>\n

Unlike summer vacation, there aren\u2019t as many camps and organized activities hosted for kids during the holidays. Plus, it\u2019s easy to get cabin fever inside when the days are short and the weather cold \u2014 snacking, watching TV, and browsing our computers becomes much more appealing.
\nLuckily, there are plenty of things you can do to encourage your kids to stay active and healthy; from games they can enjoy on their own, to gifts that encourage physical activity<\/a>, and fun activities that can involve the entire family. Here are a few ideas to get you and your kids started.<\/p>\n

1. Wrapping Paper Soccer<\/strong>
\nThis is a creative way to use the leftover gift wrap paper after everyone has opened their presents. Have each child make a small paper ball out of wrapping paper and tape. On cue, have players dribble their own ball around the game area (your living room, for example), and try to kick the ball between another player\u2019s feet (the wrapping paper goalie). You earn a point every time you get the paper ball through the person\u2019s feet. Check out our lesson plan<\/a> for this game, including a number of additional exercises you can try to make this fun activity even more physical.<\/p>\n

2. Go for a Walk<\/strong>
\nWhat better way to appreciate holiday family time than heading outside together?
\nTaking a walk is an easy and inexpensive way to get kids to put down their devices<\/a>, and leave the house. If you live in a location that has snow, bundle up the kids and head out with a toboggan. Challenge kids to pull one another, dive from the toboggan, and run to jump in again. The snow acts as extra cushioning, so children can leap and fall more than they\u2019d be able to in the summer months.
\nIf the idea of a simple walk isn\u2019t enticing enough to hold their attention, try setting up a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood featuring holiday themed items such as candy canes, strands of lights, and Santa hats. Or, save your stroll for the evening when you can explore the neighborhood as a family, and select your favorite displays of Christmas lights.<\/p>\n

Going for a walk can even be as simple as bringing children along to the mall, while you do your holiday shopping. Anything that gets them on their feet<\/a> and moving is great for their physical and mental health.<\/p>\n

3. Toys Alive<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s a famous scene in the classic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker, in which the Nutcracker leads his army of toy soldiers into a fierce battle against the Mouse King and his rodent army. Toys Alive<\/a> is a fun and silly game inspired by that scene.<\/p>\n

Set out a large play area (this could be your backyard) and have players scatter themselves. In this game, all players pretend to be toys that have come to life, moving around the play area \u2014 until someone yells \u201cfreeze!\u201d When you hear this word, the players must hold whatever position they\u2019re in for three seconds, until that same person unfreezes them and allows them to move freely once more. This game is great for young kids, as it helps them build their control and balance skills, there are no winners and losers, and there are sure to be plenty of laughs.<\/p>\n

4. Paper Plate Aerobics<\/strong>
\nToo cold to go outside? You can mimic winter sports with just a little bit of imagination, and a set of paper plates.<\/p>\n

This activity is called Paper Plate Aerobics<\/a>, and it involves children shuffling and sliding along the floor, while standing on a plate. Kids can \u201cskate\u201d on their paper plates by sliding one foot at a time forward in a diagonal motion. Encourage them to lean forward into the movement, and hold their hands behind their backs like a classic skater.<\/p>\n

Likewise, children can use paper plates to pretend they\u2019re cross country skiing. Standing again on the plates, have your kids try to imitate the movements of a skier \u2014 alternating sliding their feet forward and backward, with their arms moving in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

To make each of these activities more fun, pull up a YouTube video of someone skiing or skating, so the kids can keep up with their movements, and pretend they\u2019re skiing in the mountains or in the winter Olympics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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