10 low-tech ways to keep kids active this winter
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During Canberra winters, it can be easy to turn to television or video games to keep your kids busy.
The problem is, screen time often comes at the expense of other important activities such as active, creative and imaginative play, hands-on fun and anything that involves spending time and interacting with other people.
Technology is such a big part of our lives now – you’re reading this on a screen! – so it’s no wonder the amount of screen time kids have each day can be challenging for many families to manage.
With a balanced approach and by encouraging them to switch to active play every day, you’re helping them develop the good habit of being physically active, enjoying fun creative play and maintaining a healthy weight.
The good news is that fun doesn’t need to come in the form of a device—these eight low-tech ways of moving are just as enjoyable (and there’s a reason some have been popular for centuries!)
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EGG & SPOON RACE
What you need
A spoon
A boiled egg (or another object you can balance on a spoon)
What to do
Make a start and finish line and get players to stand at the start line. Get each player to place the egg onto their spoon and then place their other arm behind their back.
When you say go, players race as fast as they can without the egg falling off the spoon to the finish line. If the egg falls, the player must go back to the start line.
Whoever crosses the finish line first with their egg still balanced on their spoon and an arm behind their back, wins. Happy balancing!
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HOPSCOTCH
What you need
Chalk
A different rock for each player
What to do
Draw a hopscotch game layout on the concrete with chalk. Number the squares from one to nine.
The first player throws their rock onto the first square. They then hop over that square to the second square on one foot. On double squares, you must land side by side, one foot in each square.
The first player turns around and comes back the same way. When they get to the square with the rock, they must balance on one foot and pick up the rock. If completed with no mistakes, then the player goes again and throws their rock to the second square and so on.
If while throwing the rock the player misses the right square or it lands touching a line, then they lose their turn and it is the next player’s turn.
Remember: Rules are that you can’t step on a line, miss a square, hop in the square with the rock in it or lose your balance. If you do any of those four things, your turn is over and the next player has their go.
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NATURE BRACELETS
What you need
Sticky tape
What to do
Before a walk, wrap sticky tape around the kids’ wrists, sticky side facing out.
Go for a walk and encourage the kids to find things from nature like leaves, petals and small pebbles to stick to their ‘nature bracelets’.
Make it a game by seeing who can find the most petals, green leaves or seeds.
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COLOUR SCAVENGER HUNT
Ask kids to find things by colour in your backyard, home or park.
A great activity for wet weather, you can limit the hunt to one room or section of the house.
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INDOOR BOWLING
What you need
Used plastic bottles
A soft ball
What to do
Line up the used plastic bottles in a row.
Take turns throwing or rolling the ball at the bottles and see who can knock over the most bottles. Keep score by writing down each person’s score after each round. You can play for as many rounds as you like!
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RIBBON LIMBO
What you need
A ribbon or string
What to do
Choose two people to hold the limbo stick (ribbon or string) on either side.
Ask everyone to line up single file behind the limbo stick. Walk forward and bend backward under the limbo stick one after the other. If someone touches the limbo stick, they are out.
Once everyone has had a turn going under, start again by lowering the limbo stick. Whoever can limbo under the limbo stick the lowest is the winner.
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INDOOR OBSTACLES
What you need
Obstacles! These can be anything around the house – boxes, cushions, blankets or chairs.
What to do
The idea is to get the kids to go through fun obstacles doing different movements, such as jumping, hopping, and crawling while avoiding obstacles and being timed.
Clear some space in the living room and set up your course. Demonstrate the course to the kids so they know what to do. Get the kids to crawl under chairs then jump over pillows.
After these obstacles get the kids to do five star jumps then get them to balance along some sticky tape on the floor. Whoever gets through the quickest wins!
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BALLOON TENNIS
What you need
Paper plates
Ruler or stick
Tape
Bed sheet
Two chairs
Balloon
What to do
Make your ‘tennis racquet’ by taping a ruler or stick to the back of a paper plate. You will need a racquet for each player.
Tie the bed sheet between two chairs to create your tennis net.
Blow up the balloon to use it as a ball. Take it in turns to serve and hit the ball over the net.
Hint: You can make up your own rules around what makes the ball out and how points are scored. The main thing is that you are up, moving, and having fun!
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BIKE, BAT, BALL AND MORE
Grab a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, skates, or basketball and get moving. The winter chill won’t last long! If you’re keen to venture a bit further than your backyard or suburb, Canberra certainly delivers in big open spaces, parks and play facilities. (Find a few of our top spaces to get active here).
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WALK OR RIDE TO SCHOOL
Being in the thick of the cold weather it’s hard to keep up the momentum of riding and walking to school. Encourage your school to plan a Winter Walk to School Day to show how rugging up and walking to school on a frosty Canberra morning can be enjoyable. Find out more at paf.org.au.
For more great games and useful tips to help your family enjoy a healthier lifestyle, visit ACT Health’s Good Habits for Life website and sign up for your personalised program now.
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