Beat the Wintertime Blues

When the weather turns too cold to build a
snowman, and kids get grumpy from not being 
able to play outside, draw their attention away
from the television and the computer by trying
some fun indoor activities.

Winter can be a tough time for everyone. For kids, however, remaining active and engaged is crucial to keeping their minds sharp and helping them stay healthy. Research indicates kids burn about half as many calories in the winter as they do in the summer, largely due to decreased activity.

While you may consider bundling the kids in the car and visiting the nearest recreation center to boost their heart rates, there are several activities children can do at home to keep their minds and bodies active. For example, games like Twister^® allow families to have fun while expending excess energy indoors. You also can encourage your children to stay active by suggesting creative activities, such as building a fort, acting out a play or having a dance contest.

Getting Crafty

Indoor crafts are a great way to keep kids’ minds active during the winter months and can be a wonderful opportunity for you to spend time with your children as well. For example, you might try setting up a table devoted to drawing and painting and help your child create a new work of art each day.

For more information on fun winter activities for the whole family, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org and search for “winter activities.”