{"id":149085,"date":"2020-03-17T16:15:57","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T23:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=149085"},"modified":"2022-07-26T18:33:58","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T01:33:58","slug":"ideas-for-keeping-kids-active-when-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/fitness\/ideas-for-keeping-kids-active-when-home","title":{"rendered":"Ideas for Keeping Kids Active During Social Distancing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note: <\/em>Please consult the<\/em> CDC<\/em><\/a> or your state health department for advice related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on <\/em>symptoms<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>testing<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>how to protect yourself and others<\/em><\/a> during social distancing.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The mental, physical and other benefits of getting outside are many, and a boost of nature<\/a> and fresh air can be essential for kids, not to mention the adults in their lives, during times when schools are closed and regular recreational opportunities are limited.<\/p>\n

Children and adolescents need\u00a0at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>. You don\u2019t need fancy equipment to get moving or stay physically active, whether you choose to do it inside or outside.\u00a0It can be as simple as doing jumping jacks or sit-ups in your living room, skipping rope in the apartment hallway (sorry downstairs neighbors), or just moving more and sitting less.<\/p>\n

And while it\u2019s tempting to get together with others to enjoy active time, especially for kids, experts are recommending we seek alternatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlaytime outside is great with family, but it\u2019s best if no others are there. If families have their own yard to play in, that is ideal. However, if a family\u2019s only option is to play out and around their neighborhood, it\u2019s best to keep their distance from others and not to touch objects that others have touched,\u201d Dr. Lisa Frenkel, co-director of Seattle Children’s Center for Global Infectious Disease Research<\/a>, wrote in an email.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, we put together several suggestions for ways to keep your kids active\u2014both outside and inside\u2014during this time of social distancing. (Our tips cover a variety of age ranges; so be sure to use your own judgment about what\u2019s appropriate for your child.)<\/p>\n

Ideas to Keep Kids Active Outdoors<\/h2>\n

Include Outdoor Breaks in a Daily Routine<\/h3>\n

If possible, make a point to get your kids and yourself outside several times a day, even if it\u2019s only for 20-30 minutes at a time. Consider these \u201crecess\u201d or \u201clunch breaks\u201d that you schedule every day.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, you can do this while still following\u00a0CDC-recommended practices<\/a>\u00a0to protect yourself and others, such as putting distance between yourself and other people, washing your hands with soap and water and staying home if you\u2019re sick.<\/p>\n

\u201cOutdoor gatherings are less risky than indoors ones since COVID-19 spreads more easily when people are close together in confined spaces,\u201d according to guidelines from Public Health \u2013 Seattle & King County, the health department for the metropolitan Seattle area.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, it\u2019s important for kids to get active outside time every day. Research shows that daily time for kids outdoors also boosts the health and well-being of the adults in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are some ways to take quick breaks outside:<\/p>\n