by Dr Pandula Siribaddana

Created on: January 10, 2013   Last Updated: January 11, 2013

During the winter, kids are held up indoors most of the time. They tend to eat more and be less active throughout. According to medical experts, the number of children suffering from obesity has risen dramatically and it has been noted that inactivity during the winter is partly to blame. Therefore, health advocates have stepped up a gear in educating the parents and the caregivers with regard to the importance of making kids active during the cold winters. This article will outline some of the ways in which you can

keep your kids active during the winter, which does not necessarily cost you anything other than commitment, time and innovativeness.

Creating opportunities and leading the way

As pointed out by medical experts, parents need to create opportunities for their kids to burn calories even while being indoors during the winter. If these opportunities are to be effective, it should be both fun-filled and enjoyable. At the same time, at least some of these activities should involve you as the parent and others in the family as well. According to experts, the best method to make kids interested about the activity plans you have designed is for you to be part of it. In some instances, you should show the way before asking the kids to engage in such activities. Thus, taking a lead role would be the key for you to make your kids engage in activities that will promote calorie burning and health throughout the winter.

Best use of indoor facilities

Identifying and using the indoor facilities that are available in your community is one possible means of getting your kids to be active. These facilities may include indoor swimming pools, basketball courts, skating facilities, gymnasiums…etc and in most instances, such community facilities are provided free to its members. However, as mentioned earlier, you should also be part of the activity at least until the kids gets the hand of it and are motivated enough to make use of such facilities by themselves. In most of these facilities, there are organized events during the wintertime and enrolling your kids to these events would be a wise decision. Apart from such indoor activities, children can also be accompanied when you visit the mall and during such visits, you can increase the amount of calorie burning by taking the stairs and spending more time doing window-shopping around the mall.

Cleaning as a calorie burning exercise

Cleaning the house with kids is also a useful activity that can keep children active

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