Relax, enjoy family time, enjoy healthy winter activities

We are now in the midst of the holiday season. I hope that you are enjoying a more relaxed week and will have time for some family activities or time with those special friends.

Family time is so very important today. Sharing meaningful times together with your children, playing, talking or eating a family meal together can make a difference in their lives.

These times together strengthen family bonds and create special memories for both you and your children.

Take time to be there “for them” and “with them” today and you will reap many rewards. Take time for your friends; a special lunch, a visit or doing something you both enjoy creates a time for relaxation and building friendships.

The Carroll County Extension Office is closed for the holidays this week as we, too, enjoy time with our families and friends.   

Winter activities for the entire family

Here are some indoor activities that you and your family can do to keep active, no matter the weather outside during the holiday break and other times throughout the winter.

If it is cold and dreary, finding physical activities that are fun for the entire family may be a challenge. If you can get outside for a breath of fresh air, that is certainly the best thing to do, but sometimes the weather in the winter prevents us from being outside.

On your mark, get set, move. Create activity stations with your kids and see who can complete them the fastest.

Try 10 jumping jacks, walking around a table on your tippy toes and crab walking across the floor to the finish line. Just make sure that you join in on the fun, too.

Have a dance party. Turn on some music and get moving.

You could even turn some household chores into a dance party. Sweeping the floor is much more fun when there is music on and you are dancing with the broom. Let your kids show you their dance moves, and be sure to show them yours, too.

Active gaming. If your home has a game station that has active gaming, get everyone in on the fun. There are all sorts of games that everyone in the family can play, such as golf, hula hoops and tennis.

Depending on the game system that your family has, there could be many options for you all to try out together. Some of these games also are competitive, which help motivate everyone to try a little harder.

If you can get out of the house, go bowling or roller-skating, even if you have to drive to a rink. Both bowling and skating are active and social ways to spend time together.

Take up ice skating; there are many ice skating rinks in the Louisville area.

Or, if it is not raining or snowing, bundle up and go outside for a walk or hike in one of the beautiful parks in Carroll County. These activities keep the whole body moving and active. And they are just plain fun.

During the winter months you do not have to just sit and watch television or spend time on the computer.

Try doing a family activity and get everyone moving. You will be healthier and feel much better.

Happy New Year

When you read my column next week, it will be a new year so, Happy New Year 2013 to you and your family.

Grace Angotti is Carroll Co. Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. Call her at (502) 732-7030 or send e-mail to gangotti@uky.edu.