KIN Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 We don't have access to indoor gym classes or any organized sports in the winter. We live in Northern IN, so much of the winter it is very cold. The boys do go outside every day if possible, but they don't get enough energy out. What do you do? Is there anything I can give them for Christmas to help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I don't know how much snow you get - how about snowshoes or cross country skiis? skates? Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 In the past I have had my children march up and down stairs for half an hour. Music helps with that. The Presidential Fitness site has lots of indoor strenght exercises you could try. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen in NS Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 We don't have access to indoor gym classes or any organized sports in the winter. We live in Northern IN, so much of the winter it is very cold. The boys do go outside every day if possible, but they don't get enough energy out. What do you do? Is there anything I can give them for Christmas to help? A huge exercise ball to bounce and roll on, and a wide open space somewhere in the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 How about one of those indoor minitrampolines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm thinking about putting my boys on our treadmill this winter. I wish I had time for swimming, but the nearest natatorium is too far away. My guys work up a sweat in the house sometimes, but it's usually from wrestling with each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 I'm thinking about putting my boys on our treadmill this winter. I was contemplating this too. For my oldest anyway. How young could they be to run on a tread mill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Great ideas, thanks everyone! Keep them coming. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Do you have a basement? We do have a basement, but it is finished and is our school room. The boys' toys (legos, Play Mobil) are in a room down there too. There isn't enough room to be playing like your boys are able. That kind of space would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beansprouts Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 We don't have access to indoor gym classes or any organized sports in the winter. We live in Northern IN, so much of the winter it is very cold. The boys do go outside every day if possible, but they don't get enough energy out. What do you do? Is there anything I can give them for Christmas to help? Any chance there is an indoor pool in your town? Our family likes swimming in the winter. In addition to swim classes we have family swim sessions three times a week.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Get some floor mats and have hubby do "wrestling hour"?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshinkevich Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Well, here in sunny California I don't have that problem :) BUT I hate wind so on windy days or lazy mom days we do the following: Wii Fit :D Have a dance party Exercise videos ( I like Leslie Sansone walk at home series - she makes one for kids and one for teens) If you have a large enough space jump rope can be done safely indoors And of course yoga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 The first time they came to see our house, they actually thought I had the walls padded because up here they put insulation over the poured concrete walls and then plastic so it looks padded. Too funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIN Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hmmm, how many bedrooms do you have? Could you combine the kids to free up one and either put the toys there or make it an "active room"? Perhaps one of the Little Tikes inflatable bounce houses? Well, we already have all 3 boys in one bedroom. The baby is in her own room and dh and I in a room. We don't have a ton of extra space around here. I could school up on our main floor and leave the basement empty for more active play. But, I don't know where I'd go with all my school stuff. I could make it work though.... I'll have to give it some more thought. Thanks for the ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabelen Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 We do a variety of things in the winter: going up and down the stairs, race along the basement, stationary bike, trampoline, jump rope, wheelbarrow races, Wii Fit and Dance Dance Revolution. We usually do a lot of one thing for a while, then we get bored and we switch to something else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gailmegan Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 We have an floor exercise mat, an exercise ball and a mini trampoline in our basement. We also let them kick soccer balls/throw footballs down there. It does cover their need for exercise, but it still doesn't wear them out sometimes. After an hour with them at the birth center today the nurse teaching the siblings class said to me, "I don't know how you handle their energy every day." I don't. *sigh* *putting bag over head* LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lorna Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Last year our son spent the winter mastering the jump rope. If you have a bit of space (no ornaments in the way!) it can tire them out pretty effectively. We learned the chemical elements at the same time! A hula hoop is very cheap and also takes similar practice to master. They might enjoy that too. There are also all sorts of circus skills equipment. Have you seen these? You pedal them with your feet, not moving far very fast but it is a fun way to practice balance. Our children love their stilts too. In fact we made them quite simply ourselves. They are rather good on them now. You need a floor you aren't too precious about for them although our carpet seemed to hold up fine. We use swimming to keep fit on bad weather days, but I see this isn't an option. Otherwise we make the most of the days we can get out. As other people have said, snow can be pretty tiring stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 work out in our basement every morning with very light weights, doing plyometrics, pushup/situps, and running on the treadmill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet in Toronto Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Canadian here. Winter is just a time for a different set of outdoor sports. I highly recommend ball hockey as a great energy expender. You can get a couple of sticks, some tennis balls, and a hockey net and they'll be all set. In the words of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in "Wayne's World": "Game on!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Canadian here. Winter is just a time for a different set of outdoor sports. I highly recommend ball hockey as a great energy expender. You can get a couple of sticks, some tennis balls, and a hockey net and they'll be all set. In the words of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in "Wayne's World": "Game on!" I agree with this. W/3 boys, you always have 2 shooters and a goalie. Plus, they have to shovel the driveway to get a playing surface. As an aside, if they boys do have roller skates for roller hockey, my boys don't wear them on really wet pavement...they say the skates can get ruined doing this repeatedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 They go outside and build snow-forts, go sledding, and once a week we have ski club for an entire afternoon. Occasionally we go ice skating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vita Passiva Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Today my 5 and 3 year old boys collected all the blankets and pillows and piled them in the family room and had a wrestling/crazy time. We live in a really small space: 2 bedroom apartment and our winters get very rainy so we get creative with what we can do in that small space. I also use Tae Bo videos and it works well for them. Oh! We have a game called "Hyper Dash" and it's a great indoor energy buster and you don't need a lot of space to play. And...... only 6 more months until spring :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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