There may be a chill in the air, but that doesn’t mean kids should be “chilling” with their tablets on the couch all day.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children ages 3 to 5 need at least three hours of physical activity per day — about 15 minutes for every hour they’re awake. Older kids, ages 6 and up, need about an hour of activity most days of the week. Even when it’s frigid out.
“It’s important for kids to stay active year-round so they can stay healthy and avoid developing obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other issues later in life,” says Dr. Reema Puri, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Indian Trail Pediatrics.
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When the weather is mild, it’s easy to send kids outside to toss around a ball, play on the playground or get a game of tag going with their friends. In summer, we can take them to the pool or turn on the sprinklers for them to jump through. But winter is a little tougher.
“As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, it can be difficult to fit staying active into the schedule, especially for busy families,” Dr. Puri says.
In addition to preventing future disease, physical activity can help improve kids’ behavior, cognitive performance, and confidence, according to the CDC.
Kids’ physical activity often takes a sharp downward turn during winter break when there are no school-facilitated activities like P.E. or recess to get kids moving. That’s when parents need to be intentional about keeping their children active.
Dr. Puri’s advice: Send kids outside to play if it’s not bitterly cold.
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“About 50 degrees and over would be comfortable, but it’s OK to let them play in the snow or in colder temperatures for shorter spans of time if they’re adequately bundled up,” Dr. Puri says. “Generally, if kids are active, it’s safe to play outside with a coat, hat, scarf, and gloves.”
So, even if it’s a tad chilly, toss your kids their cold-weather gear and send them out for a run or bike ride with friends.
But if it’s extremely cold — think close to freezing — they can get active indoors instead.
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“They could engage in indoor activities like basketball, swimming, tae kwon do, etc.,” Dr. Puri says. “They could also find other ways to be active indoors at home, like by dancing or light-intensity workout videos.”
The bottom line is to make sure kids are doing some kind of movement for about an hour a day. Before or after that, it’s fine to let them “chill.”
Make An Appointment
Have a question about keeping your child active and healthy? Want to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician? Schedule an appointment via your MyAtriumHealth account. If your child needs a pediatrician find one at LevineChildrens.org/FindAPediatrician.
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Dr. Reema Puri with Atrium Health Levine Children’s Indian Trail Pediatrics is a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is the site-based medical director at her practice and an adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Puri has a strong desire to protect and care for children, and in her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling.
