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Summer Fun for Healthy Kids

Summer is a favorite time of year for many, but for some families, it can be a challenge to keep children entertained in healthy ways. Without the structure of the school day, children are left with hours upon hours of free time. We are offering quick tips for keeping your kids healthy and happy this summer through traveling, healing, and eating.

-Traveling: Kids love new adventures. A simple trip to an outdoor adventure park, museum, or a kid’s activity center can provide great amusement for a child. If travel is possible, take your children on a family vacation or at least a day trip to create lasting childhood memories. We all have fond recollections of summer trips, and now it is your turn help kids explore new sights. If summer travel is difficult for your work schedule, consider enrolling kids in a summer camp. There are amazing camp options for kids of all ages in scenic places spanning the globe. And it’s not just campfires, mosquitos, and rustic cabins anymore. Everything from performing arts camps to sailing camps are an option. Depending on your budget and your child’s interests, there is surely an adventure to delight your kids.

-Healing: While adults can find happiness through meditation or yoga, it is widely known that children find their greatest pleasure through playtime. Physical activity and playing outside can be both emotionally and physically beneficial for kids. For example, activities that raise their breathing and heart rates at least 1 hour a day can help strengthen bones and muscles. A perfect summer activity is swimming. The CDC also states that just 2.5 hours of water-based (or other forms of) physical activity per week has health benefits no matter your age. Other summer activities include games like hide-and-seek, tag, musical chairs, as well as sports like basketball or tennis. You might also keep kids active with creative arts like coloring, painting, crafts, dancing, and even photography. Take your child to a park, hand them your camera, and ask them to photograph all the flowers they can find. If staying home, turn on some music and have a dance contest. You will never have to hear “I’m bored” on the days you provide entertainment coupled with physical activity.

-Eating: Nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits are vital to keeping your kids healthy during the summer months. Without school lunches and daily routines, it is tempting for many kids to get off schedule with meals, which can lead to snacking on less nutritious junk foods. Experts suggest keeping kids on a similar eating schedule as during the school year. For meals, couple their fruits and vegetables with a variety of protein sources, such as lean meats as well as plant proteins including seeds, nuts, and beans. Also, keep nutritious snacks on hand like carrots to dip in hummus or peanut butter on celery. Incorporate your kids into the meal preparation and cooking process to keep them busy while also equipping them with great life skills for their future.

We hope these simple tips will inspire you and your children to eat well, live long, and travel far! Be sure to let us know via Twitter or Facebook how you like to keep your kids healthy during the summer months.