With the prospect of warmer weather comes the chance to migrate the whole family outdoors. The sunnier it is outside, the more difficult it is to use technology like phones, tablets or computers. That can bode well for everyone—provided you have a fun idea or two and an ample supply of sunscreen.
Want to catch some Vitamin D? Here’s what the experts at SSM Health recommend.
1. Get into a routine. If you and the kids make outdoor fun a habit, everyone wins. Think of a midday activity as the link between a balanced breakfast or lunch and reasonable bedtimes in the evening. With public parks, trails, playgrounds, and pools, activities abound for children of all ages.
2. Set the stage. Organized events are also good ways to structure outdoor time. One option is to encourage children to join school or club sports. Traditional options like baseball or softball can work, as can other positive outlets like dance or martial arts. A key benefit to these types of activities is that they encourage your children to learn teamwork and socialize with other children around their age—while staying healthy, too.
3. Limit screen time. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s tough to watch shows, scroll through social media or play video games in the sun. At the same time, though, late-night screen usage can affect sleep quality. Try to set aside only an hour or two for electronics during the summer (bonus points if the whole family watches a movie, show, etc.).
4. Get creative. Different families have different resources at their disposal. For instance, if you live on a street with little traffic, it might make sense to play a game like basketball, jump rope or draw with sidewalk chalk. Kids love to make up their own games, too. Consider giving your children items that encourage physical activity, like roller blades or tennis shoes.
And there you have it. Build a routine between breakfast and bedtime, encourage your children to play with other children, limit screen time and use your imagination. These four steps can be your starting point to get the most out of summer. Feel free to reach out to your friends at SSM Health, and, as always, remember to use sunscreen!
Want to catch some Vitamin D? Here’s what the experts at SSM Health recommend.
1. Get into a routine. If you and the kids make outdoor fun a habit, everyone wins. Think of a midday activity as the link between a balanced breakfast or lunch and reasonable bedtimes in the evening. With public parks, trails, playgrounds, and pools, activities abound for children of all ages.
2. Set the stage. Organized events are also good ways to structure outdoor time. One option is to encourage children to join school or club sports. Traditional options like baseball or softball can work, as can other positive outlets like dance or martial arts. A key benefit to these types of activities is that they encourage your children to learn teamwork and socialize with other children around their age—while staying healthy, too.
3. Limit screen time. Like we mentioned earlier, it’s tough to watch shows, scroll through social media or play video games in the sun. At the same time, though, late-night screen usage can affect sleep quality. Try to set aside only an hour or two for electronics during the summer (bonus points if the whole family watches a movie, show, etc.).
4. Get creative. Different families have different resources at their disposal. For instance, if you live on a street with little traffic, it might make sense to play a game like basketball, jump rope or draw with sidewalk chalk. Kids love to make up their own games, too. Consider giving your children items that encourage physical activity, like roller blades or tennis shoes.
And there you have it. Build a routine between breakfast and bedtime, encourage your children to play with other children, limit screen time and use your imagination. These four steps can be your starting point to get the most out of summer. Feel free to reach out to your friends at SSM Health, and, as always, remember to use sunscreen!
