+44 07513 522 896
info@ptcsports.co.uk
+44 07513 522 896
info@ptcsports.co.uk
We hate to be the bearer of bad news but on Sunday 25th October the clocks go back, and while we all love the extra hour in bed (well, those of us with children who sleep in!), it also means the evenings are shorter, and the weather is gloomier, and wet, always wet.
It’s easy in winter when the spontaneous park trips after school stop, the scooters get forgotten in the hallway, and before we know it, the sofa and the tv have taken precedence. Sound familiar? We are right there with you!
We can’t bring back the sunshine (sorry about that), but we can share some tried and tested ways we’ve found to keep the children active, happy and in a good routine all the way through winter.
Introduce movement indoors
Just because it’s dark and cold outside doesn’t mean the movement has to stop. Children need to move every day, and it doesn’t take much space to do it! Here are a few of our favourites to try at home:
Home obstacle courses: Crawl under the table, jump over the cushions, balance along a line of tape on the floor. Add a timer and watch the competition between siblings begin!
Dance discos: Create a family playlist, put on their favourite songs and let them go wild. It’s the quickest way to burn off energy before bath time. Bonus point for adding disco lights!
Mini fitness circuits: Squats, star jumps, running on the spot, box jumps on the pouffe are a great way to create a mini gladiator style circuit.
Try fitness Videos: There are plenty of free workouts available on YouTube including the very popular Go Danny Go, or if you want something more calming cosmic kids yoga videos are always a hit.
You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a little bit of space and a lot of enthusiasm!
Research after school clubs
After-school clubs are one of the easiest ways to keep kids active through the darker months, and we might be a little biased, but we truly believe that! After school clubs solve the problem of school finishing before your work hours, and selecting one of our after school clubs means they get the much needed physical activity they crave after a long day sitting in class. At PTC sports we offer children a safe and fun environment to be active while the evenings are short, this also takes away the pressure of finding something to do to wear them once you get home for work.
A few reasons why students love our after school clubs:
Reliable routine: Children thrive on knowing what to expect, and having a regular club on the same day each week gives them something to look forward to, and for you as a parent it helps reduce the mental load of juggling after school childcare.
New Friends: Our clubs are a mixed age group, so children have a chance to meet their existing friends in their year group, and an opportunity to make new friends in another year group, which is great for developing social skills and confidence.
New Experiences: At PTC Sports we offer everything from gymnastics to athletics, fundamental skills, and our new Hybrid training programme, there is something to suit every child, whether they love a ball or not!
We also run before-school clubs and lunchtime activities, so there are plenty of ways to fit sport into the school day, whatever your family’s schedule and weather looks like.
Get Creative
When the evenings get dark, routines are often the first thing to slip, and we completely understand why. After a long cold dark day, the last thing any of us want to do is be outside. But a little consistency goes a long way. Here are a few small things we’ve found helpful.
Aim for consistent bedtimes: The clocks changing can unsettle sleep for a few days, in our experience we find nudging bedtimes gradually (10 to 15 minutes at a time) rather than expecting a sudden switch, makes the transition easier, and lets be honest a sleeping child = happy life!
Prioritising getting outside in daylight: Try to make the most of the daylight hours at weekends, even for a short walk or a game in the park. Natural light and fresh air do wonders for energy and mood.
Dress appropriately: A decent warm and waterproof coat, a hat and a pair of gloves make a puddle-jumping, leaf-kicking walk one of the best parts of autumn. Last year we also found more sports brands offering reflective clothing, so your child can join you safely on evening runs.
Make a family fun wish list: Choose one active thing everyone does each week, whether it’s a Saturday morning bike ride or a Sunday dog walk. When our children see us being active, they are far more likely to join in.
Add a sprinkle of seasonal fun: Pack a flask of hot chocolate, mini marshmallows and spray cream as a little warm treat to enjoy at the park, keeps you all warm, and it’s a great excuse to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate. Last year we brought glow sticks on our evening park trips, which went down a treat! The kids had great fun, and it made it safer for us, as they were easier to keep track of, they especially loved decorating their bikes and scooters. Glow sticks can be a great affordable stockfiller to add to your list this Christmas!
Mindset is everything
Winter is inevitable, how we approach it is within our control, it is what you make of it. Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation, with some planning and a little creativity your family can still thrive physically, and dare we say, even enjoy it!
If you would like to find out more about our after-school clubs, holiday camps or how we can bring PTC Sports to your child’s school, we would love to hear from you.
Get in touch at info@ptcsports.co.uk or call 07513 522 896, or visit ptcsports.co.uk.
