5 Ways to Engage Your Kids in Holiday M.A.G.I.C.
With kids home from school and limitations on group activities, there has never been a better time to intentionally engage your kids in physical activity whether in your home, yard or local outdoor spaces. Try out these five, fun ideas to keep moving through the holidays to create your own version of Holiday M.A.G.I.C.!
M = Move every hour
When I’m working from home, my dog rings a bell at the back door to let me know he needs to go outside. You’re likely thinking that’s because he needs to “go potty,” which is true. But, he also walks or runs around the back yard, which is his version of “free play.”
Similarly, we all could benefit from moving every hour (or close to it). According to The Aspen Institute’s Project Play, kids ages five & younger should have one or more hours of unstructured play, plus at least 30 minutes of intentional physical activity a day. Kids ages six and older, need an hour minimum of physical activity each day with at least three days a week of exercise that strengthens muscles and bones, such as walking, running and core strengthening.
A = Alternate outdoor activities
Look at the weather and create a Holiday Activity Calendar that allows you to alternate or change up outdoor activities on a daily basis. Encourage your kids to create, or help create, the calendar and post it on the fridge or a visible location to help remind everyone about each day’s outdoor activity.
If you live where the weather is cold and snowy, activities may include sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing or building a snowman. If you’re in a more moderate climate, go for a hike, play catch in the yard, kick around a soccer ball or ride bikes around the block. In all climates, anticipate weather changes and be ready to adjust or switch out your outdoor activity each day.
G = Go on a local adventure
Google outdoor parks, trails, lakes and rivers in your city or within a reasonable driving distance. I live in Oklahoma and recently Googled “Top 10 Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Oklahoma” and while all of the adventures aren’t doable in the winter months, surprisingly, a few of them were. I also looked up “Things to Do in Oklahoma with Kids,” and the list was endless with several things being outdoor adventures.
Review the list with your kids and have them prioritize one or two things your schedule will allow during their winter break. One of the nice things about outdoor activities is that many are free or require a minimal entrance fee that helps keep cost to a minimum.
I = Invest in toys that encourage free play
Remember when we used to play on a playground? Although that may not be as possible currently, you can create an environment that encourages play in your house and your back yard. Invest in a variety of balls and other toys that encourage kids to move when they play.
Ideally you would not only allow your kids time to play on their own, but also make time to engage in physical activity and sports with them. Especially in their early years, parents/guardians are the biggest role model for kids. So, bundle up if you need to and head outside to play this holiday break. You can have fun building relationships with your kids and reap the health benefits of physical activity at the same time.
C = Create your own, fun obstacle course
Using only objects in or around your house, create a pile in an open space within your house or in your yard. Then, encourage kids to build an obstacle course themselves or provide supervision and support as appropriate for their age.
Once the obstacle course is built, do a safety check. Then have fun going through the course with the kids. Once they’ve experienced it themselves, create a fun team competition if safety and numbers of kids allows.
What is your favorite Holiday M.A.G.I.C. activity? Post a photo on FaceBook or Instagram, tag Adventures with Divot & Swish and include #divotandswish. We can’t wait to see how you’re having fun this holiday season.
Be well,
Beth Brown, Ph. D.
Author, Adventures with Divot & Swish