Category: Children’s Activities

This Is How to Encourage Kids to Exercise

According to the CDC, 18.5% of children and adolescents are obese. Being so overweight at a young age sets the stage for a number of health problems later on in life, such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. 

For many, weight and other health issues develop from living a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, the best way to help children be healthy is to encourage exercise. But how can you help motivate them to get up and get active?

Keep reading to learn about some of the different ways you can encourage kids to get moving and be healthy. 

Be a Role Model

As any parent knows, children learn and develop habits by watching their parents. This means that your health practices will carry over to them. Make sure that you lead a healthy and active lifestyle to help encourage them to do so as well. 

Try to find time a little time each day to be active. Most importantly, make sure that you have fun while doing so. Kids will want to start joining in on the fun.  

Encourage Friendly Competition

Sometimes, children won’t be interested in something until you or other kids are as well. One way to motivate kids to get moving is by turning it into a friendly competition.

Turn it into a contest and see who can run faster, jump higher, or hold their breath while swimming for longer. Again, this will help make the experience fun, motivating kids to try harder. 

Limit Screen Time

Most experts agree: too much screen time can have a serious impact on children’s health. While computers, tablets, and phones have their perks, make sure to control and limit the amount children spend on them. 

Instead of playing video games all the time, help your kids sign up for an afterschool program or play a sport that they like. 

Make It Fun

Remember that kids want everything to be fun. If you can’t find a way to make health and fitness exciting, then they’re not going to want to get into it.

Try finding exercises that will help them stay active but also allow them to enjoy themselves. Many kids enjoy doing things like soccer, swimming, and dance. Sanelijodance.com is one example of a great play to get kids active through dance. 

Use Exercise as Transportation

Talk to any person over the age of 65, and you’ll hear them go on about how they used to walk 10 miles to school. While that distance may be a bit extreme, encouraging kids to use exercise as transportation can be a good idea.

Whether it means biking to see friends or walking to school with you twice a week, encourage them to see physical movement as the best mode of transportation. 

Encourage Kids to Make Health and Fitness a Priority 

Everyone should strive for a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age. By working to encourage kids to exercise and stay active, you’ll lay the foundation for them to be healthy throughout the rest of their lives. 

Did you discover some different fitness tips for kids? if you did, take a moment to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips. 

Exercise for Kids! 5 Super Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Exercise

Wondering how to get your kids to exercise more?

Are you worried that your children aren’t as active as they should be?

While there is a lot to think about when raising children, exercise for kids is one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked. To grow up healthy and strong, it’s important that your kids get adequate exercise and remain active on a consistent basis, rather than staying inside all of the time.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Below we’ll tell you about 5 super fun ways you can get your kids to exercise more.

1. Get the Right Gear

One of the best ways to get your kids to play outside and to exercise more is to make sure that they have the right toys and gear to do it.

Buying a trampoline, bicycles for your kids to ride, or owning other fun outdoor equipment can make a huge impact on how much exercise your kids get. Backyard playsets can also be great for kids and can encourage them to stay active.

2. Consider Active Gaming

These days, many kids prefer to stay inside playing video games instead of going outside and doing fun activities. If you’re desperate to get your kids to exercise more often then you might not want to reinvent the wheel or ask for too much too soon.

Getting a motion-controlled gaming system such as the Wii that requires players to stand, move, and wave their arms to play can be a great gateway to a more active lifestyle. The Kinect for the Xbox or the Playstation Move can also be good options.

3. Encourage Team Sports

Encouraging your children to join their school’s basketball team, baseball team, or another sports team can be a great idea and will benefit your kids in several ways. These sports will get them moving on a regular basis and will also be a great social activity that can help them make new friends.

However, if none of the sports at your child’s school appeals to them there are other options. Karate, ballet, gymnastics, swimming, and even yoga classes can also be good possibilities.

4. Take an Active Vacation

Another great way to get your kids to be more active is to take them on a fun vacation.

When going on a trip to the beach, for example, you can give your kids a chance to swim in the ocean, try their hand at snorkeling, play mini-golf or fly a kite. A hiking or kayaking trip to the mountains can also be a lot of fun.

Going on a vacation to a fun destination can open up new opportunities for outdoor activities and this can make being active a lot more exciting for kids.

5. Become a Great Role Model

One final thing you can do to get your kids exercising more is to become a role model. If your kids see that you’re living an active lifestyle, they’ll naturally want to join in and learn about the activities you’re doing. Many kids want to be like their parents and will take on the same habits and interests.

By living an active lifestyle, regularly exercising, and trying new activities often your kids will want to do the same.

Understanding the Importance of Exercise For Kids

If you’re trying to make sure your children grow up happy and healthy, you need to take exercise for kids into consideration. Be sure that you’re using the tips above to get your kids into the outdoors and to help them become more active.

Looking for more family tips and guides? Explore our blog now to find more interesting articles and useful advice.

7 Reasons to Send Your Children to Private Catholic Schools

If you have children ready to enter the school system, then you’ve most likely put some thought into what type of schooling you want for them. If your children are already in the public school system, then you might have considered switching them into a private school. Private Catholic schools provide many benefits to our children. 

Whether your child is experiencing academic issues at public school or other issues, it’s never too late to make the switch. If your children aren’t school age quite yet, then this is an option that you should strongly consider before placing them into public schools.

Making the right decision for your children takes time and effort. You want to be sure that you’re always doing what’s best for them. To help you with your final decision, here are several reasons why private Catholic school is a great alternative to public schooling! 

Continue reading below for everything you need to know. 

1. Exposure to Catholic Faith

When growing up Catholic, you want the same for your children. If you and your family practice the Catholic faith, then you’ll want to place your children in a school where the same faith and religion is taught. 

Exposing your children to Catholic practices each day is the best way to build a solid Catholic foundation. Upon graduating from a Catholic school, students are also more inclined to continue attending church into their adult years. 

Many Catholic schools have children attend mass at least once a week and offer a religion class built into the curriculum. Other Catholic practices and activities will also be offered to students. If you’d like your children to grow up as Catholic citizens, then placing them into Catholic school is the starting point!

2. Smaller Classroom Sizes

Catholic schooling also provides smaller classroom sizes for your children. The smaller the classroom size, the more opportunities that your children have for one-on-one time with their teachers. Teachers are able to focus on individual children, their grades, and their progress more when there are not as many students in the classroom.

When there aren’t as many students in the classroom, students are able to focus on the curriculum better as well as there are less distractions. If your children begin to fall behind the other students, teachers will also have more time and the ability to work with your child by implementing learning strategies that might work better for him or her.

3. Sense of Community 

Children who attend Catholic schools are given a sense of community. The other students who attend the school most likely attend mass on weekends with their families as well. Because Catholic schools are normally smaller than public schools, you and your children will begin to make friends with everyone at the school as you’ll all attend the same church and school.

Aside from this, all students and parents will be asked to participate in numerous fundraisers, church programs, and other school activities. This is what builds a strong sense of community. Imagine bake sales on Sunday mornings, Saturday markets, Wednesday bingo nights, and spaghetti dinners on Fridays. 

These are just a few of the community events that you can expect to become a part of after signing your children up for private Catholic school. 

4. High-Quality Education

Unlike public schools, private Catholic schools don’t have to abide by the standard way of teaching students. Teachers at private schools are allowed to create their own lesson plans and teach in ways that they believe their students will learn best. Religion is also considered a mandatory class to take at most Catholic schools. 

Scores shown by the National Assessment of Educational Progress also prove that students who attend Catholic schools are more likely to do better in math and reading.

5. More Parent Involvement 

Because many private Catholic schools have different ways for parents to save on tuition, there’s more parent involvement. Private school isn’t free, but if you, as a parent, contribute to the school and community, you could save money. For example, the school could have you run the fish fry or bingo night to receive a discount.

Aside from receiving discounts, private Catholic schools also encourage parent involvement in any way possible. These schools want you and your family to be members of the church, not just the school. They also want you to come out to each event and celebrate with them. 

6. Mandatory Uniforms 

Mandatory uniforms might not be your children’s favorite thing about private Catholic schools, but it’ll soon become one of yours. Compared to public school, mandatory uniforms mean you don’t have to worry about what clothes are or aren’t appropriate for your children’s school. 

You also won’t have to argue with your children in the morning about what they want to wear to school that day. Every child wears the same thing every day. This reduces bullying, embarrassment, and competition amongst the students!

7. Single-Sex Options

When placing your children in public school, you have no choice but to place them in a co-ed environment. Private Catholic schools, however, have co-ed and single-sex options. Some of these schools accept boys and girls while others only accept one sex. 

If you’d like your children to be in a single-sex environment, then you’ll have that option! This could be beneficial for helping your children stay focused on their school work and not worried about impressing the opposite sex or these types of distractions while at school.

It’s Time to Consider Private Catholic Schools!

Your children deserve the best education available to them. Consider these benefits of private Catholic schools listed above and then make the best decision for your children!

For more topics similar to this one, be sure to visit us daily.

10 Pool Safety Tips for Parents Taking Their Kids to Swim

Are you planning a family trip to the pool?

A day out at the pool can be a great place for family bonding and is fun for all ages; not just the kids. Unless you practice good pool safety, the fun can soon turn dangerous or life-threatening. But you might not even know what good pool safety practices are.

Don’t worry! Read on for 10 pool safety tips that will keep your family safe and enjoying the fun of the pool.

1. Don’t Leave Kids Unsupervised

Most pools have the rule that kids under 14 can only use the jacuzzi or swim if there is an adult there to supervise. If there are a few adults present at the pool, then set up a rota to watch the kids. This way, the kids are under constant supervision but the supervising adult isn’t getting tired or distracted.

Even a small lapse in concentration can bring trouble so this way it’s avoided. Accidents happen and even children who are competent swimmers should be supervised at all times.

2. No Diving!

It’s a normal rule at most pools that diving headfirst into the water is not allowed. This is because if the water is not deep enough, you or your child can hit their heads on the bottom of the pool. Or if the dive is not executed properly it can end up in injury.

Make sure your kids are jumping in deep enough water, feet first. Or using the slides feet first. Never let them slide down headfirst or jump from the slides. This will help prevent pool injuries. Or worse as if they hit their heads, they could easily go unconscious in the water.

3. Don’t Allow Glass Near The Pool

Another safety tip is to not allow glass outside for the kids, especially not near the pool. In fact, this is a good rule adults should stick to too. When hands get wet, they become slippery and glasses can slip from the hand and smash on the floor.

Broken glass and bare, wet feet are a disaster waiting to happen. So it’s a good idea to ban glass around the pool area for all the family to prevent any accidents from occurring.

4. Don’t Allow Kids Under Six In The Jacuzzi

Pools with jacuzzi facilities will often state that infants, toddlers aren’t allowed in. This will often apply to any kids under 14 too. This is because the water gets too hot for younger children to comfortable withstand safely.

If there is a jacuzzi area, or if older children and adults are enjoying it already, it’s important to keep an eye on the younger ones. You don’t want them slipping or falling in, or trying to follow the older kids to end up scalded.

5. Bring Inflatables

Not only are inflatables fun for kids and adults alike, but they are also useful for safety too. But, to maximize their usefulness, restrict the number of inflatables in the pool at one time. This will help you keep an eye on your children and pinpoint where they are in the pool.

Be watchful, as inflatable rafts can overturn with ease. When done, make sure to take all inflatables out of the pool. If not, it might tempt young children to try and reach in to grab them.

6. No Running!

As with wet hands, wet feet can cause a danger of slipping. As such, you should put in place the rule with your kids that there is to be no running by the poolside. You should only allow walking.

Also, ban roughhousing as this can get out of control and can cause one or more of those involved to slip into the pool. We all know that the tile or concrete pool surroundings aren’t forgiving to wet feet.

7. Keep Rolling Toys Away From The Pool Edge

Make sure you keep rolling toys away from the pool area. Normally it’s young kids who enjoy playing with these toys. And they are also the most prone to pool accidents too. You don’t want to increase the risk by combining the two.

Factor in slippery, wet surfaces with unstable feet and rolling wheels, it’s a recipe for disaster. So be safe, and keep track of the types of toys taken to the pool. Anything unsuitable, remove it as soon as possible.

8. One For The Adults – Don’t Swim Alone

This goes without saying when it comes to kids, but it’s something the adults in the family should bear in mind too. Don’t swim alone! Even the best, most seasoned swimmers can have accidents or emergencies.

You might suffer from cramps, or a heart attack and not be able to get out of the pool by yourself. Be sure that you are swimming with someone else who can assist you in the event of a crisis. You should also ensure that others know where anyone who is going to the pool is at all times.

9. And One For The Kids – Don’t Leave Without Saying ‘Bye’

As with swimming alone, leaving the pool by yourself can be hazardous too. If older children want to leave with their friends, then make sure you know where they’re going.

Kids, and adults, should always let the people they’re with know when they’re leaving. For kids, always let your parents know who you’re going with, where you’re going and be back at the time they tell you.

10. Be Prepared!

Make sure the pool you’re visiting, or your pool at home is prepared. There should be rescue equipment, CPR instructions and a first aid kit at the least. It’s important that there are life jackets there, especially at least one kid’s life jacket. Or if not, bring your own.

Ensure emergency numbers and phones are accessible in case of an emergency. If you’re prepared, it will allow for a more relaxed time knowing that if something happens, you can handle it.

It’s Not Cool To Ignore Pool Safety Tips

So there you have it! If you follow these 10 pool safety tips, your family will be sure to have safe fun and stay safe at the same time.

Be aware of wet surfaces and how they react to wet feet. Slipping from running or roughhousing is a real danger. Also, keep any objects that could be hazardous because of the water away like certain toys and glasses. And most importantly, be vigilant. Make sure you know where the kids are at all times.

If you found this article useful, check out our other blog posts for more helpful tips and tricks.

4 Fun and Inexpensive Things to Do with the Whole Family

Let’s face it: going out is expensive, and increasingly so. A night out on your own with your partner can produce a bill that can be headache-inducing. And taking your entire family out for some enjoyment? May your wallet someday recover.

That’s how it feels, of course, but that doesn’t have to be the reality. In truth, taking your family out (or keeping them in!) for a day of fun can actually be inexpensive. You just need to know what kind of activities to look at and how to pull them off at the proper price. 

Looking for some inexpensive things to do with your family? Read on, and we’ll walk you through some of our favorite options. 

Visit a Local Museum

Maybe going to the museum was never really your thing. But if you haven’t taken the time to explore the local museums in your community, your missing one of the most inexpensive and potentially most interesting locations in town. 

Art and historical museums are treasure troves of information and excitement. They can be a great place to expand your children’s understanding of the world and provoke conversation. They can be an amazing learning experience for your kids as well as yourself. 

The added benefit? They are often dirt cheap. Many museums are free to access or offer pay-what-you-want passes. Even museums that are more expensive often have particular hours or days where you can attend for a highly discounted rate. 

There are also many museums that cater specifically to younger children. These children’s museums prioritize interactive and hands-on learning that helps to keep your younger children engaged and excited.

They might be having such a good time that they don’t even realize that they’re learning too. 

Throw Together a Movie Night at Home

Taking your whole family to the theater can be quite expensive these days, with theater prices on the rise everywhere in the country. This is especially true if you want to spring for popcorn or snacks. 

Luckily, with the improvement in home theater systems, you can replicate the theater experience cheaper in your very own home. Instead of watching the latest new release, take a chance on something smaller. If it’s just you and your spouse, take a stab at an independent film that might be more interesting and rewarding than the standard fare. 

If you’re watching with your kids, try picking something out for the whole family. Share with your children a movie you watched and loved when you were their age. While they may initially balk at the idea of watching an ‘old’ movie, you might be surprised how well they end up responding (the power of cinema). 

You might even find that this kind of sharing can help bond you closer over a shared love for a work of art. 

If you really want to make movie night an event, invite over some friends and put a blanket fort together. Throw a projector up and screen it on the wall so the movie is large and loud. It’s one of the best nights in you can imagine, and barely has to cost you a dime. 

Go Bowling Together

One of the best day out activities for a family might be to hit the bowling alley. No matter what age your kids are, they’ll likely get a thrill out of knocking down pins. And if you haven’t bowled in a while, you might be surprised at how much enjoyment you get out of it yourself.

Some bowling alleys are more expensive than others, so you might want to do your due diligence in finding the right spot. Many bowling alleys offer family discounts, so inquiring about those might help save you significant money in putting the day together. 

These days, many bowling alleys also double as arcades. That means even if your kids aren’t huge on the idea of bowling, they might be more into ice hockey, driving games, or other fun and exciting games. You can visit here to see more about what I mean. 

Bowling is a great place to bring some friendly competitiveness into the family dynamic. Who knows, you might even end up with a professional bowler on your hands someday. 

Break Out the Chalk

Remember the simpler pleasures of your own youth? This was a time before cell phones and video games seemed to rule the public attention. If you were handed a ball or piece of chalk, you could entertain yourself hours. 

Instead of decrying the current generation for their media addiction, give your kids a chance to experience the same. If your kids are fairly young, giving them a big collection of chalk and the length of your driveway can be an exciting prospect.

That’s a large canvas within to work, after all. This can be a great family activity, or simply something to keep them occupied while you relax in a lawn chair and watch them work. The key thing is that it’s incredibly inexpensive, and there’s no real clean up involved either. 

Simply allow their chalk masterpiece to exist until the rain comes along to wash everything clean. 

Inexpensive Things to Do with Your Family

It can be hard to afford a real day out with your entire family. With that many heads to feed and entertain, the costs can be astronomical. Luckily, the above inexpensive things to do can keep everyone happy and fulfilled just as easily.

Need more advice about how to run your family on a budget? Check out my blog for more. 

5 Smart Baby Toys That Will Turn Your Child Into a Genius

As a parent, you want what is best for your children. You want them to grow up and become better than you. To live a life that is good, healthy and happy.

This journey starts from infancy. By making the right choice when it comes to your baby’s toys and accessories you can help shape their future.

Yet, that can often be easier said than done. The market is flooded with toys, and prices that seem to grow every week. How do you know if you are making the right choice? How can you be sure you are not buying a toy that will stunt or not enable your baby’s development.

Well, keep reading, because in the coming paragraphs we are going to look at the best smart baby toys. We want to help you give your baby a brighter tomorrow, today.

1. Building Blocks are a Great Gift Idea

When it comes finding a great gift that will make your baby smarter, building blocks are a great choice.

Not only are they widely available, but they are a highly versatile toy that can be suitable for multiple age ranges. This is great for encouraging interplay between your children.

On top of that, their abundance makes them a great gift if you are living on a budget.

2. An Abacus Is One of the Best Smart Toys for Babies

Another classic baby toy that you can invest in is an abacus. Teach your children how to count and solve basic maths sums from an early age with this timeless teaching toy.

Buying wooden toys, or juguetes de madera is perfect because their hardwearing nature is ideal for intensive use. If there is one thing a smarter baby toy needs to be, it is durable.

3. Shape Sorting Toys Are a Smart Choice

Another wonderful toy option for promoting and nurturing a smarter baby are shape sorting toys.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of options for you to choose from, and while the basis of each is the same, the variation will keep your child engaged while developing an unshakable intelligence. Repetition is a fundamental part of learning in small children, and so by offering multiple shape sorting toys, you are stimulating development.

4. A Toy Kitchen or Grocery Store

When thinking about how to make your baby smart, there is a logic behind looking at toys that develop their IQ alone, but social skills and interaction is a crucial element behind intelligence.

Toys like a play kitchen or grocery store will stimulate both emotional and intellectual intelligence, as well or increasing your child’s skills at social interaction.

5. Crayons Stimulate Creativity and Coordination

A box of crayons is a wonderful gift for any child. Allowing them the emotional freedom to explore their own creativity from a young age is beneficial for their development.

Crayons allow your child to develop their coordination skills, as well as craft the ability to accurately express through a meidum other than speech. If you want to make your baby smarter, then nurturing their artistic side is a great way to go.

Buying Smart Baby Toys is Investing in Your Child’s Future

Any toy you buy your child should be well considered. Their development is so rapid at such a young age, making the right choice is imperative. It is also almost too easy at times, meaning you may find it hard to decide which smart baby toys would serve you best.

The trick is to trust your gut. You know your child; their likes and interests. Nurture them and provide them with a loving home to develop themselves and any choice you make will be the right one.

Check out some of our other posts for more advice on children and raising a family.

10 Inexpensive Ways to Help Kids Be Active

be activeHow much physical activity do your children get?

Nowadays, children are more interested in the screens on their iPads than the outdoors. This means that parents have to take a greater role to encourage children to be active.

But helping kids to be active doesn’t have to include expensive vacations abroad to do adventure activities. You don’t have to pay the costly membership fees of sports clubs to get your children fit and healthy.

Instead, there are many inexpensive ways of getting your kids to be active.

Physical activity is not only fun but it’s an important part of a healthy and happy life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should have at least one hour of physical activity every day.

Keep reading for our 10 ways to get your kids to be active without breaking the bank.

1. Walking

What is more simple and pleasant than a walk?

Many people choose to drive when they could just walk. Getting your children to be active involves thinking differently.

Walk to Pukekohe High School. Walk to the local park. Walk to the cinema to see a movie.

You can also get chores done at the same time. Maybe you can suggest your children take the dog for a walk or deliver a letter to the postbox.

2. Hiking

Do you live in a location surrounded by hills or mountains and lakes or rivers?

If walking to places isn’t enough physical activity for your kids, you could get your kids to try hiking instead. This can be a great way to spend time together as a family. At the end of the hike, reward yourself and the kids with a picnic in the park.

3. Hide and Seek

Is there any children’s game as timeless as hide and seek. Every generation of children has enjoyed playing the classic game. Your kids won’t even think of the physical activity when they’re distracted by the seeking and hiding.

The best thing about hide and seek is that it involves being active and resting. With all this activity, rest is always good for kids.

4. Gardening

Anyone who has spent a couple of hours in the garden will know how hard work gardening is. Don’t slave away in the garden pulling up weeds while your kids stay inside playing on iPads.

Getting kids to help out is a great way to be active. Kids could also find that they enjoy planting beautiful and colorful flowers and digging up weeds to throw away.

5. Scavenger Hunt

Creating a scavenger hunt for kids is a great way to get them moving.

All you have to do is to think of some things to hide for the kids to find. It could be a lamppost, a gate or a park bench. Spread the hunt out around the neighborhood to get the kids walking even more.

6. Skipping and Jumping Rope

Remember the days when kids used to spend hours and hours on the streets with a jumping rope?

Buying a jump rope is only a few dollars. But it can bring endless fun and activity for kids. Another great thing about jump ropes is that they can be played alone and in groups.

7. Playing in the Yard with Sprinklers

Sunshine and warm weather always goes well with physical activity. There’s nothing more fun when you’re a kid than playing in the sprinklers in the yard on the summer day.

If it’s a hot day, get your kids to put on their bathing suits and turn on the sprinkler. Jumping and playing in the water will keep them healthy and happy. It also means that the grass gets a water too.

8. Riding a Bike

There a few joys like riding a bike. While learning to ride a bike as a kid can be difficult at first, once you get the hang of it, you never forget how to ride.

Encourage your kids to get out on their bikes. While racing around the park is a lot of fun, it’s important they always keep safety in mind too.

Make sure they know the rules of the road. Don’t forget to remind them to put on a helmet.

9. Washing the Family Car

Have you ever looked out the window of your house and seen the family car covered in leaves and dirt?

Cleaning the car is a chore that requires as much energy as it does soap and water. Ask your kids to give the car a wash. All that scrubbing and rinsing is a great way to be active.

They might ask you what’s in it for them. If exercise isn’t enough of an answer, promise a reward, such as a trip to the movies.

10. Playing Sports with Friends

You don’t have to join a club or a team to play sports. Your kids can start straight away with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood.

You can play baseball or basketball in teams. Or just play kickball or soccer in the park. Being outside with friends and playing sport is a great way for your kids to be active.

Getting Your Kids to Be Active

Physical activity is an important part of having a fun, healthy and happy childhood.

But with so many other distractions, your kids need you to encourage them to go outdoors and have fun. There are so many ways to be active that your kids have no excuses.

While exercise is always great, don’t forget to remind your kids to stay safe and drink plenty of water.

Check out our blog for more about happy and healthy lifestyles.