Staying Active On Spring Break
By Shaista S. Safder, MD
Many types of activities you can plan involve both mental and physical exercise. Options include home projects, field trips, hobbies and sports. Involve your children in planning these activities to get them excited about their time off from school.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Build a tree house
- Build a pet home or a birdhouse
- Plant a garden in the backyard
- Go camping in the backyard
- Play team sports with friends — kickball, basketball, soccer, etc.
- Play games in the park — tag, hopscotch, etc.
- Have a pajama dance party and sleepover for friends
- Go on a nature hike to explore and collect things from nature
- Play active video games such as Wii Fit for indoor exercise
- Take field trips to the zoo, museum, science center, etc.
Parents, take note: Spring break is coming up fast. Help your children have a healthy spring break by planning activities now that will keep them physically active and off the couch. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that school-age children participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
