Tag: kids

by James Adam

7 Ways to Keep Kids Active Inside When It’s Cold Outside


People

The cold winter months are times when most people prefer to stay huddled up in the house, beside a roaring fire and sipping on hot beverages. 

While the relaxation combined with maximum comfort and warmth can be decadent and enjoyable, the gross inactivity can have a less than favourable effect on the health status of a child. 

Although some activities are off-limits due to the freezing weather, there are various ways by which you can keep your kids active and help them burn energy while they are indoors. 

Listed below are seven ways to keep your kids busy inside while the temperature is freezing outside;

Exercise together

There are various techniques you and your kids can use to get active without leaving the comfort of your home. You can pop in an exercise video, get the whole family together and do a full work out. 

You can choose yoga, dancing, jumping jacks, squats, or any other activity that can be done indoors, as long as it is appropriate for all members of the family.

You can also decide to visit the gym or attend an exercise class together. Not only will your kids benefit from getting their heart racing, but the tedious work out can work wonders on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Build a playground in your home

Bringing the elements of a playground into your home can help to ensure that your children get in a healthy dose of activity daily. 

You can build an obstacle course using household items like boxes, chairs, blankets and duct tape. 

Buying and installing fun indoor equipment such as indoor slides and climbing frames from My Happy Helpers will also help kids to use up some of their abundant energy from the comfort of your own home. 

Go to an indoor recreational centre

Get the family active and visit an indoor location that offers a wide variety of fun activities. 

Your kids can swim in a heated indoor pool, play a competitive game of tennis or basketball, play a round of mini-golf or get some exercise in the gym.

Play virtual games

Though they are video games, virtual reality games can get the whole family active and engaged. 

Seeing as these games are controlled by the movements of the body parts instead of a game controller, this is an excellent way to keep children active without leaving the house. 

Your child can play a game of boxing, show their skills in a dancing game or prove their musical prowess in a musical contest. 

Learn a skill

The long idle months can provide the perfect opportunity to learn and perfect a useful craft. The whole family will surely benefit from learning a new skill. 

Take up baking, quilting, sewing or basic paper crafts and ensure that your kids master them before the winter ends.

Join a sports team

If your child has an interest in sports but has been unable to join a sports team due to school and other constraints, this cold period is the perfect time for them to join a team.

Find a spot on a team that is in your area, suitable for your child and family-friendly. The whole family will most likely be attending your child’s games which is an excellent way to stay active.

Clean the house

The winter season when the whole family is around is a good time to do a deep cleaning of your home. 

Assign specific tasks to your children, ensure that everyone completes their duties for the day. You can also give them rewards to motivate them to continue doing their chores, thereby keeping them active for a significant period


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by James Adam

Best Sleep Hygiene Habits For Kids


People

The term sleep hygiene is used to describe a series of behaviors and routines that can be used to facilitate sound sleep on a regular basis, and it is also something that is crucial for children’s health. When sleep difficulties emerge in kids, they are often the result of insufficient sleep hygiene practices. By heeding some helpful sleep hygiene advice, it is possible to develop an effective, consistent sleep pattern that enhances every child’s well-being.

Routines Matter

The fact is that humans thrive on habit. Following a regular, unwavering bedtime schedule is a great way for your child’s subconscious mind as well as their body to recognize when it is time to wind down for the day. While the specifics of the regimen can be customized to suit each child, the routines should be roughly 20 minutes in length and contain three or four calming tasks like changing into good quality kids pyjamas, taking a warm bath, brushing and flossing, and some light reading. These habits build a sense of relaxation and comfort, and this can thwart the development of insomnia and other sleep troubles.

Set A Regular Bedtime

Having a set sleep time helps children’s body clocks regulate themselves so that slumber comes easily when it is supposed to each day. It is important for bedtimes to remain consistent, however, and this applies to both school nights as well as weekends. Switching bedtimes depending on what is happening the next day can undermine success, because it alters the body clock and interrupts the regularity that is needed.

Shut Off Screens

Though electronic devices are part of just about everyone’s daily life, it is important to set a time each night when they must be turned off. Televisions, smart phones, tablets, and the like put out a sort of blue light that is a known melatonin suppressor. This interferes with the body’s ability to go to sleep, and kids are thought to be especially susceptible to the effects of this light. Furthermore, excessive time in front of a screen serves to stimulate the brain and hinders its ability to power down for the night. It is best to remove devices from the bedroom altogether and cease use no less than an hour prior to bedtime.

Exercise Regularly

One of the best ways for adults and children alike to sleep more easily and remain asleep is to get sufficient amounts of daily physical activity. Kids generally need roughly an hour or more of exertion daily in order for proper sleep to occur, though it is important not to engage in such activity within a couple of hours of the nightly bedtime. Neglecting this rule of thumb can cause difficulties with winding down, something that only adds to the frustration of disturbed sleep patterns.

Cut Caffeine

This should be obvious to just about everybody, but it bears repeating that this stimulant works to hinder the start of sleep, and it also has a negative impact on sleep quality. Coffee, energy drinks, soda, tea, and chocolate all contain sufficient caffeine to cause sleep troubles. Children should not have any caffeine at all within at least six hours of retiring, and even better is for them to steer clear of it entirely.

No-Pet Policy

Though kids certainly love their pets, and many want to curl up tightly with theirs at night, it really is best to discourage this practice. Pets tend to move around and make unpredictable noises throughout the night, and this can lead to a restless night for youngsters. Urge pets to sleep elsewhere at night, but consider incorporating a goodnight hug between child as pet into the regular bedtime regimen.

by James Adam

Here Is How to Make Your Lawn Friendly for Your Kids


People

There’s nothing better than the sights and sounds of your children playing on the lawn. The exercise, happiness, and memories are all priceless for your family. However, not all lawns are kid-friendly. Some lawns are uncomfortable to play in, while others can be unsafe. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make it easier for your kids to play on the lawn: lawn mowing services Jacksonville FL

#1 Create a Play Space

You’ve just finished grooming your lawn. You come inside the house for a break when you hear a familiar noise. It’s your kids. They’re having a good time roughhousing on the lawn. Whileyou’re unhappy to see your hard work in danger, you recognize the importance of outdoor activities for children. 

A good compromise is to designate a play area. You can section off a part of your yard with a pathway or fence where your kids can play without harming your garden or seating space. In this area, you can set up a slide, swing, or other outdoor activities for your young ones. 

#2 Water Your Lawn Regularly

It’s important to water your lawn regularly to keep it looking and feeling healthy. Studies suggest that simply looking at a vibrant green lawn can be beneficial. A healthy lawn will also clean the air by releasing oxygen and trapping dust and carbon dioxide. 

A well-watered lawn is also good for the soil structure. It makes it lose and soft enough to walk on. There’s nothing like the pleasure of being barefoot on healthy grass. Your children will enjoy it too. 

It’s important to water your lawn correctly. If you don’t water enough, or water too much, you may damage the grass. Usually, the best time to water is early in the day, when the sun isn’t shining, and the air is cooler. 

Admittedly, watering regularly can be a tedious activity. Especially when you have other time-consuming responsibilities, like taking care of your family. If you want to stop worrying about watering your lawn – then you can try purchasing an automatic sprinkler system. These are available at different price points, depending on your needs. 

It’s advisable to choose a trusted and experienced contractor to install your system. Remember to find a friendly one that offers excellent customer service. They’ll answer all your questions and shall help you with any concerns later.

#3 Remove Weeds Regularly

It can be annoying for any member of your family to walk into weeds. Especially because some weeds and plants can be harmful, like Poison Ivy or noxious weeds. Dispose of them quicklyfor everyone’s safety. 

#4 Get Rid of Pests

It’s important to mow your lawn regularly. Longer grass can attract harmful insects. Certain bugs, like ticks, can be especially dangerous. You can also spray your lawn with some plant-based formulas that repel bugs but are safe around children and pets.

These are some of the ways you can keep your lawn safe for your kids. With just a little effort, you can ensure that your children have pleasant memories on a beautiful lawn. And if some of these steps seem overwhelming, remember to turn to a professional for help. 

by Incredible Planet Staff

How to Travel With Kids like a Pro


People, Places

Traveling is – and will always be – fun regardless of how many times you have done it. However, when you are to travel with kids, it can be quite daunting. You need to determine what clothes to pack and how to get to your destination, let alone ensure that the whole trip is not stressful for your children. With all these things considered, it is safe to say that such adventure is rife with potential worries. But hey, there are tips that you can keep in mind in order to save you from going insane and totally ruining the vacation. Check them out below!

Keep It Simple

It holds true that almost any stuff can be brought abroad. It might not have to be the same brand, but you will always have the ability to manage it. If you are traveling with a baby, it is given that diapers should be of concern. This is most especially if you require the likes of eco and organic brands, most of which are quite hard to find.  This is where you want to be a little bit more flexible. While you can always pack the brand your baby really needs, there is nothing wrong with exploring other ones. Or, if you want, you can research first if this type of diaper is available in the country or place you will be going to.

Travel With a Guardian

Be it a nanny or another member of your family, it is always better to have someone who can help you with the kids. This is really advantageous especially if you have a bigger family. This guardian can lend a hand in taking care of your children. For instance, you will be riding a train. The guardian can look after your daughter while you tend with your son. Just keep in mind, however, that disputes concerning guardianship can happen. For example, the nanny fails to fulfil her fiduciary duties. This can be a call for legal action. And when such thing happens, you will need a lawyer who has the expertise in contesting guardianship.

Always Create an Itinerary

Traveling with children can be a lot more fun if you try to tailor your itinerary in a way that it suits every family member (not just your kids, of course). You can start by selecting activities and/or destinations that are going to be fun for all of you. You can also let older kids give suggestions about where the family must go and what to do. By doing so, they can be more involved and excited about the upcoming trip.

Keep in mind, too, that a trip must include the planning of rest times. After all, it would be difficult to experience each activity or destination if the family does not have the energy to do so. You also have to be considerate of your kids’ disposition. Young children, in particular, need to let off a little steam. This is where you want to bring them to a park or playground. As for teens, stopping for food or arcade can be a great thing to do.

Go With a Slow Travel

When you travel with kids, you do not just the fun with you – you also bring the drama. This could from the baby’s crying to the toddler starting with his tantrums. Interestingly, there is a way for you to reduce the drama’s frequency. Go with a slow travel. It simply allows you to immerse yourself in a new culture and, at the same time, learn the language a bit. Above anything else, it gives your family the much-needed time to relax and let all the impressions sink in.