I know there are a lot of statistics out there about screen time and our children, especially on the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood website. My best proof comes when my family engages in too much screen time. The zoned out expressions, bickering and fighting always seem to result when they over-indulge in too many shows, movies or video games.
This year, Springfield Moms is partnering with the Generation Healthy Coalition — genH – and encouraging Sangamon County families to take the pledge and go screen free for the week of Friday, April 30th through Friday, May 6th.
There will be a variety of free events and activities going on throughout the Springfield area including blossom hikes at Lincoln Memorial Garden, kite-making at the Springfield Art Association, craft activities and nature hikes at the Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, a free swim night at the YMCA and more. Keep checking our What's Happening Events Calendar for the latest updates on fun family activities that will take you and your family away from the television, computer or video game screens and out into the world to make memories!
Stuck indoors? Try this list of fun exercise activities from genH:
We've Got To "Move It! Move It!"
- Do it iCarly style with Random Dancing. Turn off the TV and turn on the music. Dance with your kids; see who can make up the silliest new dance move.
- Grab a deck of UNO cards-take turns flipping them up. Pick a blue, jump to the sky. Pick a red, do squats. Pick a yellow and you can "twist and shout." Pick green, do jumping jacks. Do each exercise for 20 seconds. Keep picking cards for 10 minutes.
- Hit the deck with regular playing cards. Turn over Hearts and do crunches for 20 seconds. Turn over a Diamonds and jog in place for 20 seconds. Turn a Club and it is push up time. Spades are jumping jacks.
- Kids learning something new in Math class? Grab that deck of cards again. Take out face cards. Flip two cards over. Have your kids add, subtract or multiply the two numbers. Here's the catch: instead of writing the number down, they need to show you the number with movement. Have them do sit ups, squats, jumping jacks, walk steps…..be creative and find ways to have them move to reveal the answer.
- Nightly reading and retelling is an assignment we all face as parents. Add a little variety and make it fun. After your child reads to you (or you to him), have them act out what they just read about. They've got their homework done, and they get to have fun and move!
Want more ideas on how to get your kids moving? Want to go into your child’s school and get moving with them? Visit www.genhkids.org.
