The winter months can be particularly stressful when you have young, highly active kids. Without outdoor activities, your kids get bored and may end up getting into trouble.
The good news is that there are many fun and safe ways to keep your kids entertained indoors. If you need a few ideas, Dr. Sindu Pillai offers them at her office in Murrieta, California.
Dr. Pillai is a pediatric specialist offering services such as well-child visits, behavioral evaluations, and nurse visits for your children.
The cold, short winter days aren't conducive to active kids, especially when it's windy or rainy. Keeping your kids entertained and safe indoors is challenging, especially if you don't want them to spend all day watching TV.
But keeping your kids active over the winter is essential to their health and wellness. Activities should be both safe and fun, challenging your child both physically and mentally. Five of our top winter activities include:
A great way to keep your child active and entertained is to play classic moving games like Freeze, the Floor Is Lava, and Simon Says. Other games that encourage movement and listening skills include Red Light, Green Light, and Twister.
Having a dance party in the living room is an excellent way to keep your child active and engaged, while also incorporating safe exercise. Put on your child's favorite music and break out your best moves for about half an hour to get them the activity they need during the cold weather.
Many kids love to follow along with their parents' workout videos, but they can be too much for a young child to handle. Instead, consider watching a child-friendly yoga video or something they can follow along with for a safe and effective way to incorporate exercise into their winter routine.
Building a fort together not only encourages bonding time with your child, but it also keeps them entertained and works their mind. Ensure they are doing it safely and avoid using heavy objects that could cause harm when choosing fort-building materials. The couch cushions and pillows work best!
A scavenger hunt is a fun and engaging way to keep your child entertained during the colder months. Create your own scavenger hunt with things throughout the house to keep them active, entertained, and out of trouble while they're stuck inside.
It's perfectly fine for your child to want to play outside, especially in the snow. However, remember to consider the weather and cold, and ensure they stay warm and dry to avoid illness and cold injuries.
Small bursts of outside activity are good for you and the kids, providing fresh air and sunlight. It's essential to ensure they dress warmly enough and wear moisture-wicking clothing to prevent getting wet in cold weather.
Ensure your child is wearing a heavy coat, along with gloves and a hat, to protect them from the cold. Monitor their time outside to prevent injuries and have them take plenty of breaks to warm up and hydrate.
The key is to allow them to have fun while also staying safe in the cold. Activities like sledding and building a snowman are fun for short periods, as long as they come in to warm up and drink water.
Contact our Murrieta, California, office today to schedule a well-child visit with Dr. Pillai, or click here to request a consultation on our website.
