Part of living a healthy lifestyle is incorporating physical activities and
nutritious snacks throughout your day, even if you're throwing a party.
These efforts help kids build strong muscles and bones, boost energy, and
feel better overall. But for kids, it's especially important to make both the
activities and the food fun, not bothersome. Here are some ways to get the
kids off the couch and into an active lifestyle.
Heart-pumping activities:
- Plant a garden. Let the kids choose the vegetables they want to
grow, and then let them dig in the dirt and plant the seeds. Remind
them to water the plants every day until it's time to pick the fruits of
their labor.
- Take a hike. Head to the local park and plan a route to hike. Have the
kids scout for nature items along the way, such as pinecones, a bird's
nest, or a rock that looks like a face, and check them off a list as you
go.
- Play Balloon Stunts. Write a number of physical stunts on small
pieces of paper, such as "Jump across the yard - backwards," "Walk a
tightrope (on the ground) without falling off," "Do three somersaults,"
and so on. Use a Balloon Time Helium Balloon Kit to fill balloons with
helium, insert the stunt prompts and tie the balloons around the yard.
Let the kids choose a balloon, pop it and perform the stunt written on
the paper inside.
- Bike Parade. Have the kids decorate their bikes and then lead them
on a parade around the neighborhood.
- Frisbee Golf. Set up paper plate targets on trees or fences around the
yard or park and have the kids try to hit the targets with frisbees, one
after another.
- Treasure Hunt. Hide clues around the yard that eventually lead to a special hidden treasure. Then have the kids race against the clock to
find the clues and the treasure at the end of the hunt.
Guilt-free snacks:
- Cut up veggie munchies - and serve them with tasty dips. Not only
are veggies refreshing and delicious, they're also full of vitamins and
nutrients, and low in calories and fat. Try a variety, such as bell
peppers, broccoli spears, cooked asparagus, cherry tomatoes and
green beans. For healthy dips, mash up avocadoes, serve salsa, and
offer hummus, rather than cheese-, mayonnaise- and sour creambased
dips.
- Serve nuts instead of candy and chips. Set out bowls of unsalted
nuts, tossed with some interesting seasonings, such as garlic powder.
Nuts are full of good fat - the unsaturated kind - which helps to
promote healthy skin. And nuts are more satisfying than salty snacks,
so your guests won't eat too many.
- Pop up some popcorn. Popcorn is high in fiber and low in calories, so
set out bowls of this popular fluffy stuff, topped with some tasty
seasonings instead of butter and salt. Try taco seasoning, lemon and
dill, paprika, or curry for a change of pace.
- Spread a fruit platter instead of dessert. While desserts are a
must at most parties, you can substitute cake and ice cream with cutup
fresh fruit - and make a dazzling display that will tempt everyone.
Fruits are full of nutrients, low in calories and fat, and make a
refreshing change from heavy, high-fat and sugary desserts.
- They're screaming for ice cream? Make banana splits, but serve
frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, and top it with cut-up fruits and
chopped nuts, instead of flavored sauce and whipped cream.
These recommendations on healthy and active living should be taken as
guidelines by non-medical personnel. It's always best to consult your family
physician with questions about healthy eating and activities so he or she can
take into consideration factors such as family history.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author
and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16
specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper
column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents
magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning
programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in
February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
Balloon Time is the leading brand of consumer helium balloon kits
in North America. Balloon Time kits feature a helium-filled tank, latex
or foil balloons and ribbon, and are available at national retail
chains, party goods and grocery stores nationwide.