CrossFit Shropshire has some tips for you to help your kids this summer. The summer holidays are a fantastic opportunity for children to recharge, explore, and have fun. However, it’s important to ensure that they stay active during this break from school. With the lure of screens and the temptation to lounge around, it can be a challenge to keep kids moving. In this blog, we’ll share some creative and enjoyable ways to help your children stay active during the summer holidays, ensuring they meet their daily exercise requirements without even realizing it.
Why it is important ?
According to NHS guidelines, children aged between 5-18 years need to do around 60 minutes of exercise every day. On at least three days per week, this exercise should involve activities that help strengthen muscles and bones – for example, hopping, swimming, tennis or gymnastics, CrossFit or Dam Strong.
Unfortunately, despite the exercise children get as part of their PE lessons at school and the opportunity to run around with friends during breaks and lunchtimes, many children fall short of the 60-minute target even during the school term. In fact, figures released by Public Health England in June 2018 revealed that “just 23% of boys and 20% of girls aged 5 to 15 years meet the recommended level of physical activity of 60 minutes each day.”
Here are some Ideas to get your kids active this summer:
- Embrace the Great Outdoors:
Make the most of the warmer weather and longer days by encouraging outdoor activities. Plan family hikes, bike rides, or nature walks in local parks, forests, or countryside. Let your children explore and discover the wonders of nature while getting their daily dose of exercise. You can also organize picnics, outdoor games, or even set up a mini obstacle course in your backyard to keep things exciting. - Water Fun:
Summer is synonymous with water play, and it offers an excellent opportunity for kids to stay active. Take them swimming in local pools, life guarded lakes, or beaches with lifeguards. Engage in water games like water balloon fights, water tag, or set up a sprinkler in your garden for some splash-filled fun. Water activities provide a refreshing way to cool down while keeping your children active and entertained. - Sports Galore:
Encourage your children to try out various sports during the summer holidays. Enroll them in local sports camps or classes that offer introductions to activities like CrossFit, Football, tennis, or martial arts. Alternatively, set up mini tournaments or friendly matches in your garden with their friends or family members. Sports not only keep them physically active but also teach important skills like teamwork, coordination, and discipline. - Get Creative Indoors:
For those rainy or extremely hot days, when staying indoors is preferable, there are plenty of activities to keep kids active. Create an indoor obstacle course using pillows, furniture, and other household items. Dance parties, yoga sessions, or follow-along exercise videos on platforms like YouTube can be a fun way to keep moving. You could also introduce them to active video games that require physical movement, such as dancing or sports simulations. - Family Adventures:
Plan day trips to nearby attractions that offer active experiences. Visit amusement parks, adventure parks, or go on nature hikes as a family. Engage in activities like mini-golf, rock climbing, or trampoline parks. By involving the whole family, you’ll not only bond and create lasting memories but also inspire your children to stay active. - Encourage Hobbies:
Summer holidays provide an excellent opportunity for children to explore their interests and develop new hobbies. Whether it’s learning to ride a skateboard, joining a dance class, practicing martial arts, or trying their hand at gardening, encourage your children to pursue activities they enjoy. Hobbies not only keep them physically active but also nurture their creativity and provide a sense of accomplishment.
The summer holidays offer a chance for children to unwind, explore, and have fun. By incorporating these creative and enjoyable activities into their routine, you can ensure they stay active and meet their daily exercise requirements without feeling pressured. Remember, the key is to make it fun, engaging, and something the whole family can enjoy together. So, get out there, explore, and create memorable moments while keeping your kids active during this summer break.
Creating a Fun-filled Home Sports Day in Your Back Garden
If you’re looking for a fun and active way to spend quality time with your family, why not organize a home sports day right in your own back garden? It’s a fantastic opportunity to engage in friendly competition, promote physical activity, and create lasting memories. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to plan and execute an exciting sports day that will have everyone in your family cheering and having a blast.
Step 1: Choose Activities:
Start by selecting a variety of activities that can be enjoyed in your back garden. Consider games like sack races, three-legged races, egg and spoon races, relay races, mini obstacle courses, and even a tug-of-war. Tailor the activities to suit the age and abilities of your family members, ensuring that everyone can participate and have fun.
Step 2: Gather Supplies:
Collect the necessary supplies and equipment for each activity. For example, you might need sacks for sack races, spoons and eggs for the egg and spoon race, and ropes for the tug-of-war. Don’t forget to set up markers or cones to create clear start and finish lines. If you want to add some extra flair, create homemade medals or certificates to award the winners.
Step 3: Create Teams:
Divide your family and kids friends into teams. You can have individual or mixed-age teams, depending on the number of participants. Encourage friendly competition and team spirit by allowing each team to come up with a creative name and design their own team flag or armbands. This will add an extra element of excitement and encourage collaboration among team members.
Step 4: Plan a Schedule:
Create a schedule that outlines the order of activities and allows for breaks between each event. Make sure to consider the duration of each game and allow enough time for rest and hydration. A well-planned schedule will keep the sports day running smoothly and ensure that everyone gets a chance to participate and cheer on their teammates.
Step 5: Set Up the Garden:
Prepare your back garden for the sports day. Clear any obstacles or hazards, ensuring a safe playing area. Set up the start and finish lines, mark out the relay race exchange zones, and position the equipment for each activity. If necessary, create stations for different games to minimize waiting time and keep everyone engaged.
Step 6: Warm-up and Safety:
Prioritize safety by conducting a warm-up session before the sports day begins. Lead the family in some light stretches and exercises to prepare their bodies for the activities ahead. Emphasize the importance of proper form and technique to prevent injuries. Also, remind everyone to stay hydrated throughout the event and have water readily available.
Step 7: Let the Games Begin:
Follow your schedule and start the sports day! Begin with a fun opening ceremony where each team can showcase their flags or armbands. Then, move through the different activities, allowing each team to compete and earn points. Create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and support, cheering for each participant and celebrating their achievements.
Step 8: Award Ceremony:
After all the activities are completed, gather everyone for a memorable award ceremony. Recognize the efforts and accomplishments of each participant. Present medals, certificates, or small prizes to winners, but also highlight everyone’s participation and sportsmanship. This will ensure that everyone feels appreciated and proud of their involvement.
Organizing a home sports day in your back garden is a fantastic way to bring your family together, promote physical activity, and create lasting memories. By following these steps and infusing the event with enthusiasm, teamwork, and friendly competition, you’re guaranteed to have an exciting and enjoyable day. So gather your loved ones, unleash your competitive spirit, and get ready for a memorable home sports day filled with laughter, cheers, and family fun.
CrossFit Shropshire Summer Camp
As part of our commitment to keeping kids active during the summer holidays, we are excited to announce our weekly kids’ class at CrossFit Shropshire. Designed specifically for children and teenagers, this class combines fitness, fun, and skill development in a safe and supportive environment. Led by our experienced coaches, the class introduces young athletes to a variety of age-appropriate exercises, games, and challenges that promote strength, agility, coordination, and overall fitness.
During our kids’ class, participants will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic workouts, learn proper movement techniques, and build confidence in their physical abilities. Each session is carefully structured to ensure that kids not only get a great workout but also enjoy the experience and develop a positive relationship with fitness. Our coaches provide personalized attention, guidance, and encouragement, catering to each child’s individual needs and abilities.
In our kids’ class, we prioritize safety above all else. Our coaches are trained to create a nurturing environment where kids can thrive and grow. We focus on proper form and technique, ensuring that young athletes learn how to move efficiently and safely. By instilling good movement patterns and emphasizing injury prevention, we set our young participants up for a lifetime of physical well-being.
Summer Kids Camp
Our weekly kids’ class at CrossFit Shropshire is open to children of all fitness levels and backgrounds. Please see link for more information to sign up here. Whether they are new to exercise or have prior experience, our program offers something for everyone. We believe in fostering a supportive community where kids can cheer each other on, celebrate their accomplishments, and develop lifelong friendships.
So, if you’re looking for a way to keep your children active, engaged, and healthy during the summer holidays, we invite you to join our weekly kids’ class at CrossFit Shropshire. Let us help your child discover the joy of movement, develop essential fitness skills, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of physical well-being.
Contact us today to learn more and reserve a spot for your young athlete in our exciting kids’ class.
Our next blog we look into more age appropriate activities you can do with your kids this summer. All ages love the home sports day, we can offer some tips on what to do then too.
