Outdoor Fun

Getting Your Child into Winter Sports Lessons: When and How

admin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:04:00 GMT

There are lots of activities for your toddler to do during the winter – and not just indoor ones too. But after chasing your child endlessly around the park – when is it time to get them involved in some more organized activity? Well here are some handy tips on when and how to get your toddler involved in some group activity.

1. Skating Lessons

Skating – yes it’s fun and exhilarating – but it takes a bit of strength to get your toddler up and going. And not so much your strength as your toddler’s own core strength. And to get that, your child most likely has to be about 3 or 4 – or maybe an unusually strong or tall 2 year old!

You can expect your tot to walk and stomp around the ice at first and gradually progress to gliding. After about a year, many kids learn to skate backwards.

Purchase skates from a store where staff knows how they should fit – snugly but with room to wiggle toes. Lace those skates up tight and off they go!

There are a couple of approaches to teaching your toddler how to skate – you can teach them yourself or register them for group or private lessons.

City-run community centers and rinks usually provide certified skating lessons with lots of families attending. Your toddler might even make lots of new friends! Usually, a municipal website will provide details such as schedules and cost.

2. Skiing and Snowboarding

Got a little speed-lover tot? Than maybe skiing or snowboarding is just what he or she needs for a thrill. But truthfully, you don’t have to be an extreme thrill seeker to enjoy the slopes. Most children start skiing or snowboarding around age four – mainly because you need some balance and strength to hold yourself up on the skis or board and to ride the chairlift.

Yes, this is another activity where you can teach your child yourself but group lessons also offer expert tips and tricks, as well as socializing. And remember to find lessons that encourage safety too. And rent or buy equipment that complies with proper safety standards.

3. Hockey

Even little kids can play hockey! Sure they might not be skating as fast as the players in the NHL but hockey lessons can be a great team-building activity for your tot. It also improves hand-eye coordination too.

If your toddler already knows how to skate – hockey will be easier but they don’t necessarily have to skate well in order to enroll them in hockey lessons. Usually beginner hockey lessons teach them fundamental skating and how to pass the puck back and forth to each other.

Usually you can start your child in hockey lessons as young at three or four years old. Again, you can find lessons at your local, city-run arena or community center.

Out and About with Your New Baby!

admin — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:24:00 GMT

Sometimes it’s hard to get out of the house and socialize when you have a new baby. But just because you have a new addition, doesn’t mean you should become a hermit. It’s time to get out there, meet other new moms and dads, hang out and have some fun. Here are a few ideas to get you going:

Book Clubs

Does your reading list consist of Dr. Seuss or Little Bear? Maybe you want to expand your reading tastes but don’t have a lot of time to get a chapter in before the next feed time. How about a book club where you can bring your newborn? And one that provides child care?! You can try http://www.bookclubsbyjanna.com/ in Toronto.

Networking

Just want to get out there and meet new mums like yourself but don’t know where to start? The Internet can be a great place. There are loads of sites out there that connect mothers to one another and offer events, meeting places and activities for both mum and child. For great networking opportunities – try the Treehouse boards and connect with lots of other parents at http://forums.treehousetv.com/boards/index.php

Education

Need to know more about child nutrition? Where are there preschools? Does your child need speech or vision therapy? But maybe you also just need to know what to make for dinner tonight! Learning about parenting and child programs can be fun and social when you go a local Early Years Centre. For those of you in Ontario – try http://www.ontarioearlyyears.ca/oeyc/en/home.htm to find out more.

Fitness

So you are probably looking to work off the pregnancy weight but don’t have a whole lot of time right? Or maybe you’re a dad and want to do something active with your new tot? Why not bring your child along to some of the many baby and mom fitness programs that Canada has to offer? You can try Gymboree fitness programs at http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/b2c/customer/programIndex.jsp at selected Canadian locations.

Movies

You’re a new mom or dad and you want to catch the latest flick without having to worry about your baby making too much noise or the theatre surround-sound hurting your baby’s ears. Famous Players offers lots of mini-matinees, so check them out at www.famousplayers.com for times and locations or Movies for Mommies around the country at http://www.movies4mommies.com/MFM_en/Home.html.

It's time to get up and get out there! The outside world is just filled with activities for you and your munchkin!

So come on and tell us where you go to get out and about!

Wintertime Fun

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:58:00 GMT

Winter is a season that, with the proper weather, can provide months worth of fun.

If you are looking for things to do during the wintertime try the following:

Frosty weather is the perfect opportunity to take your children to the local rink and teach them how to skate. Many municipal rinks also allow for skate rentals, if you don't have your own. If you choose to take your children skating on a pond, make sure the ice is thick enough and never leave your children alone to skate unsupervised.
If you find that there is enough snow on the ground, feel free to have fun and make a traditional snowman. There is a reason why these things still keep making children laugh even after all of these years. Try taking out some old clothes and decorating your snowman to give him more character.
With the participation of a parent or adult, try looking to see if there are any maple sugar bushes in the area where you live. If you can find one and are able to make the journey there, showing your children the process through which maple syrup is made is a fun, and flavourful, experience.
In addition, drives through the country on a cold winter's day can be equally exhilarating for you if you are a city dweller. Seeing snow-covered woodlands in areas where your children can observe farm houses and animals can be very exciting for them.
If you find yourself in the midst of a blizzard, staying indoors with a hot cup of cocoa, your favourite video and your child by your side can be equally cozy and rewarding.

By Chris Giardino

Wet Games for Hot Sunny Days

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:56:00 GMT

Help your preschoolers stay cool this summer with a little slip, slide, and sprinkle.

Slippery Slide

Make your very own slippery slide! Purchase a large role of heavy plastic from a hardware store - at least 4' wide and about 12' long. Find a large enough area to accommodate the length of the slide, plus some running room. Rake the area of debris. Role the plastic out and spray the entire surface with water. You can even add a few drops of non-toxic soap to make it super slippery. Standing 2'-3' from the front of the slide, children run towards it and then dive on it to see how far they can slide.

(Keep the slide wet by placing the running hose on slide, so that the water is flowing in the same direction the kids are sliding.)

Sprinkler Statues

Set up a sprinkler in your garden, but don't turn it on. Have children stand within the perimeter of the sprinkler's reach. Players then dance, jump, hop, etc. around the sprinkler's area. When the sprinkler is turned on, they must freeze in place. Anyone who moves is out. When the sprinkler is turned off, players start moving again. The game continues until one person is left standing.

By Rochelle Strauss

Watery Team Games for Younger Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:55:00 GMT

Help your preschoolers stay cool this summer with these wet and wild water games for teams.

Balloon Toss

Nothing says summer quite like a water balloon! For this game you need a minimum of four people. Divide kids into pairs and give each pair a towel. Pairs grab opposite ends of the towel, stretching it reasonably taut. Place a water balloon in each towel. At your go, teams throw water balloons at other teams, by launching them with their towels. Teams must subsequently catch water balloons using only their towels. Keep tossing until all the balloons have exploded. (This game works best for children 4+.)

Water Relay

Divide group into teams. For each team, give them a bucket and a Styrofoam cup with small holes poked into the bottom. Line players up at the start line. At the whistle, the first player from each team runs to a larger bucket of water and fills their cup. Then, carrying the cup over their head, they run back to their team and empty the remaining water into their bucket. The next payer repeats the process, and so on. The winning team is the first to fill their bucket.

By Rochelle Strauss

Team Swimming Pool Games for Younger Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:53:00 GMT

Here are some great team water games to play with younger children. These games should be played in the shallow end of the pool or in a wadding pool. As with any water activity, adult supervision is suggested.

Ping Pong Ruckus

Divide players into two teams and have them spread out in the water, touching the walls of the shallow end. Dump a bucket of ping pong balls into the water. At your start, players must collect ping pong balls, one at a time, and carry them back to their team's bucket. Teams collect as many ping pong balls as they can during a set time and the one with the most ping pong balls wins. (Note: mark an out-of-bounds line between the shallow and deep ends).

Wet Shirt Relay

Line up two teams at the side of the pool (in the shallow end, by the steps). Hand the first person on each team a soaking wet t-shirt - preferably larger than the largest player. At the whistle, the player must put on the t-shirt, walk into the pool and walk to other side of the shallow end and back, tagging the next person in line. The player then removes the shirt and hands it to the next player, who must put it on and repeat the process. The first team to complete the relay wins.

By Rochelle Strauss

Team Swimming Pool Games for Older Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:52:00 GMT

Here are some great team pool games for older children, who can swim unassisted. As with any water activity, adult supervision is suggested.

Water Scavenger Hunts

Collect a number of water proof objects, such as plastic toys and fish, golf balls, dive rings, etc. Your objects should be a combination of things that sink and float. Toss all the objects into the pool. Give each team a list of items to collect. The team that collects the most objects on their list within a given amount of time is the winner.

Water Polo

Set up goals at either end of the playing area. Divide players into two teams and have each team chose a goalie. The aim is to is score as many goals as possible in a set amount of time. Players pass the ball around until someone is in position to try to score. If a player has the ball, he or she cannot move and must either pass the ball or try to score. Players without the ball can swim around to get into a better position or away from an opponent. When a goal is scored, or the ball goes out of bounds, the closest goalie passes it in again. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

By Rochelle Strauss

Tag Pool Games for Younger Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:50:00 GMT

Here are some great tag water games to play with younger children. These games should be played in the shallow end of the pool or in a wadding pool. As with any water activity, adult supervision is suggested.

Captain May I?

One player is Captain and stands at one end of the pool. The other players take turns asking "Captain may I take a step?" Captain says yes or no. If Captain say yes, he or she tells the player how many steps to take and in which direction. For example, "Take 3 steps to the right." If Captain says no, then the player cannot move. Players continue taking turns. The first person to touch Captain becomes the next Captain.

Marco Polo

This game is best played with a minimum of three people. One person is chosen to be IT. He or she closes their eyes and counts to 10 and then begins "looking" for the other players. To find the other players, IT keeps his or her eyes closed and calls out MARCO. All players must answer by saying POLO. When IT tags someone, that person becomes the next IT.

By Rochelle Strauss

Tag – You’re It!

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:47:00 GMT

Tag is one of the most popular games among children, especially preschoolers. Here are several variations of tag your children are sure to love.

Red Light, Green Light

One player is IT and stands a far distance from the rest of the players. With his or her back turned, IT calls out "Green Light" and all the players rush forward. When IT yells "Red Light" all the players must freeze. IT turns around. Anyone IT catches moving must go back to the start line. The game continues until someone tags IT.

Cartoon Tag

One player is IT and chases around all the other players. When players are tagged, they must call out the name of a cartoon character. If they can't think of one fast enough or call out a name already used, then they are IT.

What Time is it Mr. Wolf?

One player is the wolf and stands with his or her back to the other players. The remaining players stand at the start line, about 15 metres away. The players call out "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" And the wolf turns to them and responds with a time (for example, 5:00). Players then take steps towards the wolf based on the time (in this case, 5 steps). The wolf turns around again and the players repeat the question. The game continues until the wolf decides to yell "Super time" at which point the wolf spins around and chases all the players back to the start. The first person caught becomes the next wolf.

Chain Link

This time, two players are IT. They hold hands and chase all the other players, but can only tag them with one of their free hands. Each tagged player joins hands with the IT players. Only the players at the end of the chain can tag people. As the game progresses, the chain gets larger and larger and harder to control. The game ends when everyone is tagged.

Shadow Tag

Perfect for sunny days - in winter or summer! The person who is IT chases everyone else's shadow. When IT successfully steps on someone shadow, that person becomes the next IT.

By Rochelle Strauss

Swimming Pool Games for Older Kids

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:45:00 GMT

Here are some great pool games for those hot summer days. These games are intended for older children, who can swim unassisted. As with any water activity, adult supervision is suggested.

Sharks and Minnows

One person is the shark, the rest are minnows. The minnows line up at one end of the pool, while the shark stands or treads water near the centre of the pool. When the shark calls out "minnows", all the minnows must race past the shark to the other end of the pool. The shark tries to tag as many minnows as possible as they swim by. Minnows are only safe when they are touching the other side of the pool. Tagged minnows become sharks and assist the first shark in catching remaining minnows. The game is repeated until there is only one minnow left. This minnow becomes the next shark.

Underwater Freeze Tag

This game is best played with five or more people and in the shallow end. One player is "IT" and tries to tag players. When players are tagged, they stand "frozen" in place, with their arms in the air and their legs spread apart. To unfreeze a player, a non-frozen player swims through the player's legs. The game continues until "IT" tags everyone. The last person tagged becomes the next "IT". (Note: "IT" cannot tag a player while they are under water!)

By Rochelle Strauss

Snowy Games for Winter Days

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:43:00 GMT

These games require little or no preparation and are great for larger groups of kids - perfect for school snow days!

Winter Wonderball

A wintery, outdoor version of Wonderball - children sit in a circle passing a snowball around while singing the following rhyme: "The wonder ball goes round and round. To pass it quickly, you are bound. If you're the one to hold it last, the game for you has quickly passed. Out goes Y-O-U!" The child holding the snowball at "U" is out of the game. But, if the snowball melts or falls apart in a person's hand, that person is also out. Snowballs are replaced as needed and the game continues until only one person is left.

Mini Winter Carnival

Create a winter carnival right in your own backyard. Establish a series of stations where children compete doing different activities. Here are some ideas:

Snowman Building. Who can build the biggest/best snowman (or build one the fastest)?
Snowball Throwing. Who can throw a snowball the farthest?
Seal Races. Racers lie flat on their stomachs and can only pull themselves forward using their flippers (arms). First one across the finish line wins.
Snow Snakes Races.
Targets. Children aim snowballs at tin cans piled in a pyramid and sitting on top of a snow mound. The one who knocks down the most cans in one shot is the winner.
"Dog" Sled Race. Children work in groups of three of more. One child sits on the sled; the others are the "dogs" and pull the sled. The first team to cross the finish line wins.
Snowball Rolling. Teams of two or more start with a snowball and roll it towards the finish line. As it gets bigger and bigger, it's harder to roll and control. The first team to cross the finish line wins. If the snowball falls apart, teams must start again from the beginning.

By Rochelle Strauss

Skipping Rope Games and Rhymes

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:39:00 GMT

Teach your children the fine art of jumping rope with the following games and rhymes.

To help your children learn how to skip, swing a rope from side to side instead of overhead so that children can practice jumping over it. Once they have the timing, start swinging the rope over head.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Players take turns skipping. While everyone chants the rhyme, skippers must do the actions. At the end of the rhyme the first skipper jumps out and the next one comes in. The rhyme starts again for each new skipper.

If a skipper steps on the rope or misses an action, then they are out. Out players take over turning the rope.

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear turn around

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear touch the ground

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear show your shoe

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear that will do!

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear climb the stairs

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear say your prayers

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear turn off the lights

Teddy Bear Teddy Bear say good night (skipper waves as he/she skips out)

Birthday Game

For this game, skippers jump into a turning rope when their birthday month is called. Eventually, all skippers will be skipping together. As their birthday day is called they jump back out.

All in together

Never mind the weather

When I call your birthday

You must jump in

January, February,

March, April,

May, June,

July, August

September, October

November, December

All out together

it's mighty fine weather

when it's your birthday

please jump out

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. to 31

A Note on Picking Rope Turners...

All players put one fist into the circle. The person who owns the rope chants the following rhyme, while tapping all other players' fists in succession to the beat of the song (including his/her own). The person tapped at "U" is the first rope turner. The rhyme is repeated to pick the second rope turner. The first person to mess up takes the place of the first turner, etc.

Icka bicka soda cracker

Icka bicka boo;

Icka bicka soda cracker

Out goes Y-O-U

By Rochelle Strauss

Schoolyard Games: Elves, Giants and Wizards

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:35:00 GMT

Here's a spin on an old favourite.

Elves, Giants and Wizards

This is a full-bodied version of "rock, paper, scissors", but for this game, Elves beat Wizards, Wizards beat Giants and Giants beat Elves.

In a park or backyard, map out a playing area and mark home bases for each time.

Next, divide players into two teams. Each team huddles at the centre of the playing area and chooses whether they will be Elves, Giants or Wizards. Once they've chosen, they line up facing each other (about 8' apart).

On the count of three, each team yells out their choice. The losing team now must run to their home base without getting tagged by someone from the winning team. Anyone tagged joins the other team. The game continues with the teams returning to the centre and choosing again. The game ends when everyone is on one team.

Suggestions:

For younger kids, have a parent or older child help the teams decide what they will be on each turn.
Try having children invent movements to enhance the game - for example standing on tip-toes for giants, pointing fingers as if to cast spells for wizards, or crouching low for elves.

By Rochelle Strauss

Outdoor Nature Activities for Preschoolers

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:30:00 GMT

Children love exploring nature, so here are some fun nature oriented activities to help encourage your child's explorations on your next outing.

Nature Treasure Walk

Before setting out, use a notebook to make a list of colours or shapes for your child to find, such as: 5 things that are orange, 3 triangles, etc. As you hike, have your child record in the notebook every time he or she finds an item. When you get home review what they've seen. Note: for non-readers, use images and icons to make the list and have children draw pictures of the things they find.

Photo Stories

Next time you go on a hike or spend the day at the park or museum, give your children their very own camera to document what they see. After printing the photos, have them create a photo story about the experience by arranging photos on Bristol board.

Camouflage and Seek

Have children cover their eyes. Spread a package of multi-colored pipe cleaners along the ground within a designated play area. Next, ask children to uncover their eyes and give them two minutes to collect as many pipe cleaners as possible. While bright pipe-cleaners are highly visible, the earth-toned ones are less likely to be found. Use this opportunity to teach children all about how animals use camouflage to protect themselves.

Senses Walk

Use a bandana or scarf to blindfold your budding naturalists and then carefully guide them through your backyard, a local park or on a hike. Encourage them to use their other senses to experience the trip. Guide them towards trees and have them touch the bark, leaves and branches. What do they feel like? Have them stand still and listen. What sounds can they identify? What do they smell? Now switch places and let your child guide you!

By Rochelle Strauss

Outdoor Games for Larger Groups

admin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:45:00 GMT

These active games require a lot of open space and are great for larger groups.

Capture the Flag

The object of the game is to capture the opposing team's flag, without being caught.

Divide players into two teams and assign each team a large playing area as their "home base". Each team must hide a flag somewhere within their "home base". Teams are allowed two guards to protect their flag. The remaining players seek out the opposing team's flag. When players are tagged on the opposing team's side, they go to jail (a designated area within each home base). The only way to free jailed players is for teammates to tag them, without getting tagged themselves. Freed players must return to their home base area before they can start searching again. Player(s) who find the flag must successfully bring it back to their home base in order to win the game. This game is good for children 4+.

Red Rover

Divide players into two teams. Each team lines up a fair distance apart, holding hands and facing the opposing team. The first team selects someone from the other team and says "Red Rover, Red Rover, let (name) come over". The child who is called must run towards the opposing team and try to break through the chain. If successful, they choose someone to take back to their team. If unsuccessful, they join the opposing team. The game continues until one team runs out of players.

By Rochelle Strauss