January 18, 2024
Find out how to turn your kids' screen time into active time this winter by tapping educational apps and tech tools for fun and learning.
With winter settling in and temperatures dropping, it can often be too cold for kids to get outdoors and stay active. This usually means they’re turning to their tech more than any other time of the year as they spend the season indoors.
But what if they could have the best of both worlds? Here are six ways you can use technology to get your kids off the couch and moving this winter.
1. Bust a Move
Kids these days have seen and tried their fair share of TikTok dances. These shorter dances may help them get a burst of energy out, but try getting them to do something a little longer form. Whether it’s a video game like Just Dance or a YouTube tutorial teaching them how to line dance, they’ll be on their feet and entertained.
2. Explore Your Space
With outdoor adventures mostly off the table, sticking to the same space can get boring for kids. Turn your house into a setting for a scavenger hunt with an app like Goosechase, powered by Cox Panoramic WiFi to ensure a seamless interactive experience throughout your home. You can create your own custom tasks for endless hours of indoor fun, like finding items of a certain color or searching every room for hidden clues.
3. Engage in Smart Fun
There’s another muscle you can help your kids exercise — their brains. Interactive learning apps offer a great way to get them thinking and moving at the same time.
YouTube channels like GoNoodle also feature educational videos for a range of ages that encourage movement, ensuring screentime that’s both mentally stimulating and movement-oriented. Speaking of smart choices, using tools like two-factor authentication as you set up these apps can provide much-needed security.
4. Break a Sweat
Even in this new digital era, there’s nothing wrong with a little old-school cardio. Get the whole family involved and work out together or use age-appropriate apps like Sworkit Youth Workouts that guide your kids through exercises. With Cox Mobile, you can easily download and access fitness apps on your devices, ensuring your family stays connected and active no matter where they are in the house.
5. Initiate Some Healthy Competition
Kids' fitness trackers like Fitbit Ace and Garmin Vivofit Jr. can turn daily activities into a fun, family contest with challenges and virtual rewards. Additionally, VR headsets and motion-sensor gaming consoles offer physically engaging games. These platforms transform activities like tennis, boxing and soccer into exciting, family-friendly competitions, combining fun with physical exercise.
6. Get Creative with Indoor Obstacle Courses
Use pillows, furniture and household items to create an age-appropriate course that challenges your children to jump, crawl and balance while simultaneously sparking creativity and problem-solving. If you're stumped for ideas, ask ChatGPT to help brainstorm unique obstacle course designs. Time their runs and encourage them to beat their personal bests, adding an element of friendly competition and ongoing engagement.
It can be tough to motivate kids to move during the winter, but with these tips — and Cox home internet offering reliable ways to optimize your home connectivity — you can turn screen time into active time and have fun while doing it.
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