University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis.—When winter hits, people tend to stay inside and watch television or play video games—making it less likely that adults and children will get the physical activity they need. The USDA recommends that adults move for at least 30 minutes on most days and that children move at least 60 minutes.

Parents can motivate children to stay active and healthy in winter, but this means going beyond sending kids outside to play. Parents can participate in activities with their children, modeling healthy levels of movement and teaching them activities they can enjoy throughout their life.

Dr. Mike Sharratt, Dean of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, suggests that, "Providing your child with the gift of learning a lifelong skill such as skating, martial arts, dancing, basketball, or another activity is the best present a parent can give a child." Children will not only enjoy the activities now, but they will grow into active adults, with lower risk of obesity, stroke and heart disease, and certain kinds of cancers.

Physical activity can build a foundation for a healthy life, increase self-esteem and capacity for learning, help kids handle stress, build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints, and support a healthy weight.

There are many winter physical activities in your own community:

• Create snow angels in your backyard. Climb a snow mountain. Make paths in the snow.

• Go on a nature hike. Walk through the park or neighborhood looking for animal tracks in the snow and try to identify the animal.

• Take a trip to a zoo to see the animals in their winter coats, or go to the park and look for birds or small animals.

• Decorate your trees for the birds by hanging apples, popcorn strings, or pinecones rolled in peanut butter.

• Build a snowman together, go sledding, shovel the driveway or take the dog for a walk. Build a play igloo, or combine igloos for a village or a fort.

4-H clubs often have sledding, ice skating, or cross-country skiing trips in the winter months. Children can enroll in 4-H Adventures projects that include these activities as well as winter camping and hiking. Winter is also a great time for 4-H clubs to get active in community service projects. 4-H clubs can help raise money for charities; they can help a local food pantry; they can shovel sidewalks for those unable to do the task themselves. Other activities include trips to an aquatic center, Boys and Girls Clubs or the YMCA, winter basketball leagues, ice skating, sledding, and even shopping trips that involve a walk.

Whatever the activity, the key is becoming a family that values physical activity and integrates it into daily living. This active lifestyle improves the parents’ health and helps to ensure that the children live long, active lives as well. For more information, contact your local University of Wisconsin-Extension office.