By Nicole Pratt, Senior Childcare Director, Spartan Stores YMCA
In the upcoming weeks, schools across the area will be letting out for the holiday break. The holidays can already be a hectic time, without having to think about how to keep your children safe, active and engaged while you work, shop and prepare for the ensuing holiday gatherings.
Keeping kids from watching too much TV or playing too many video games can always be a challenge. The best way to counteract this is to plan out a week filled with activities. Not only will this planning help expel extra energy built up from the holidays, but if you plan in some outdoor family time, this too will help benefit your family’s overall health.
There are many options that exist and many are low-cost or right out your back door. And the best part is that these activities can help you sneak in some exercise time that you might otherwise miss. Try out these fun winter activities that can help get your heart pumping while you enjoy time with your kids:
- Spend an afternoon skating at Rosa Park Circle, the Wolverine Worldwide Y rink, a local indoor rink or a homemade one right in your own back yard
- Go downhill skiing or cross-country skiing
- Admire winters beauty by going for a family hike
- Bundle up and go sledding
- Build a snowman
- Go snowshoeing
- Help your children create a snow fort
If you are like many parents and have already over-committed yourself to a multitude of things during your child’s holiday break, let us help keep your kids safe and engaged. Have your children come spend the week immersed in activities at the Y among friends and caring staff. We have Winter Fun Clubs for kids 5-12 years old that will engage your children in disguised learning activities focusing on core academic subjects, arts and crafts, and fun physical activities such as rock climbing, swimming, basketball, winter outdoor activities and much more. Winter break fun clubs run from December 26-28 and January 2nd – 4th.
So this holiday break, instead of having your child sit at home, engage them in fun healthy activities and enjoy creating lasting memories along the way.
For more information about the Y’s Winter Fun Clubs go to http://www.grymca.org/child-care