4 Healthy Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy This Winter

We’re coming up to the end of the year, and it has certainly been a long one, but as we head into January a lot of us are wondering how we’re going to keep the whole family happy, entertained and engaged through the long, dark months until spring.

The British weather isn’t exactly known for taking it easy on us at the start of the new year, and it’s not always easy to keep those promises to be more active, to look after ourselves better, and to try and spend more quality time with our family when it’s dark, wet and cold and all we want to do is stay in bed.

But don’t despair – just because we’re all going to be staying inside for a little bit longer, doesn’t mean that we can’t start making good on those promises to improve ourselves and make some more memories together in 2021.

Here are four ideas to get your little one’s minds and bodies moving this winter.

Get Out of the House Where Possible

Admittedly, this one has been a little tricky this year as the coronavirus pandemic meant that we all spent a lot more time indoors, but outside time is so important for kids, especially when they’re feeling cooped up and frustrated.

It’s not just about getting them to run around and burn off some of that excess energy, either. Sunlight helps your brain to release serotonin, which has a major impact on mood, and it causes your skin to create Vitamin D, which helps makes those bones nice and strong.

Cook Up a Storm

Why not use this time to introduce your kids to the joys that come from cooking your own meals? If they’re getting under your feet as you try and get things done in the kitchen, it’s time to get them started on discovering a world of flavours and healthy eating.

Put away those takeaway menus and try some new recipes together. You can show them that cooking doesn’t have to be a chore, it’s a fun activity for the whole family.

Let Them Watch Educational TV

If you’re trying to get your work done and the kids are proving to be too much of a distraction, it can be easy to just hand them the remote control or give them a tablet and usher them off into another room so they can watch something and leave you to get on with everything that needs doing.

However, with young children it’s so important to make sure that what they’re watching isn’t just mindless garbage, but something that is helping to educate them and discover new things. Have a look for educational channels and broadcasts, and for families looking for Muslim kids’ TV, the Islam channel has a fantastic range of games, quizzes and activities to entertain them and keep their brains active.

Learn A New Language

How many of us said at the start of lockdown that this would be the perfect time to learn a new language? How many of us actually got around to it? Well, it’s time to make 2021 the year that you actually make good on that promise, and why not make it a family activity? There’s been a huge spike in the use of language learning apps this year and there are plenty that have options for kids learning too.

This past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us, and if there’s one positive to come out of it, it’s that many of us have spent extra time with our families. As we move forward into the new year, remember that we should keep those bonds strong.

Do you have any tips to add? Let me know in the comments 🙂