Summertime Kids: Being Healthy (wk 4)

May 29, 2012

written by Cathy Baker, mom of two amazing daughters, from Missouri

Well we’ve focused on reading, writing and arithmetic in our summertime kids series, now it’s time for some creative ideas to encourage being healthy this summer!

Bike challenge. I love this bike challenge idea I found on pinterest. (I’d love to give credit for it, but it’s a broken link! bummer!)  As you can see from the above photo, you challenge your kids to bike 100 miles over the summer (and you could join them!). I think my girls might be overwhelmed at this at first, but when they actually complete it, I think they will smile big at the sense of accomplishment in doing so!  This could also work for walking (might want to do less miles?!) or riding their scooters.  But if you are liking the bike idea, you should join this challenge that I found:  – Their site says “The National Bike Challenge, This free program runs May 1 to August 31 with the goal of uniting 50,000 people to bike 10 million miles!” How fun to be a part of that!

Water jug for outside. My mom bought me a ceramic water jug at a garage sale a few years ago. I found it is the perfect jug to fill with ice cold water in the morning, set out on my back deck with several plastic cups. My girls and their friends can help themselves to unlimited water all day and they don’t have to keep coming in and out of the house for it. They drink lots of water because they think it’s kinda fun to get water out of!

I also make sure my girls get out early morning before the sun is too hot and too strong, and they want to just be inside in the AC.  And of course, we get in lots of swim time at the pools and lakes, which hardly feels like ‘being healthy’ ‘cuz it’s so much fun!

Sometimes I break up the week by making an obstacle course in the backyard – with hoola hoops, balls, balance beams, – really whatever I can find – add a bit of water throughout the obstacle course and invite a few neighborhood friends over – fun for all!

{Source: Real Simple)

Healthy snacks in refrig. I love this idea and keep thinking I will do it, but still have not. Perhaps this will be summer. I’m good at keeping dry snacks in the cupboard, but this idea of healthier snacks in the refrigerator is awesome – fresh fruits and veggies already bagged up – how easy to just grab on the way to the park? Add some small yogurt cups, pre-packaged cheese, peanut butter and/or ranch for dipping (can even put into smaller containers for one-time use).  I’ve seen devoting one of your crisper drawers to this idea, as well!

We’d love to hear your ideas for promoting healthy living during the summertime months with your kiddos!

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Category: Random and Fun
Tags: Being Healthy, Summertime Kids |