What to do in Vancouver: Bring Back Play
Do you remember when you played until the sun went down? Do you remember when the only break from running around, chasing a ball or digging up the dirt to check out the local bug population was to run in and use the washroom? Read on for some tips on what to do in Vancouver to recreate that experience for your kids.
Back in our childhood days we knew how to make our own fun. We played hide and seek outside, explored the tactile environment, tested our physical limits, and came home exhausted in the best of ways.
Things have changed. Canadian children are spending more than 60% of their free time after school and on weekends doing sedentary activities. They are getting unhealthier by the minute. Lack of activity can have serious health consequences down the road. Obesity is a greater health risk worldwide than not having enough food to eat. At this rate, kids today will live up to five years less on average than their parents.
Make it Fun
What do we do about it? Make it fun! Bring Back Play.
ParticipACTION, a not for profit society, is the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. With support from Sport Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, ParticipACTION’s vision is to help parents and their kids recognize the benefits of active lifestyles and bring back the sense of what it means to have fun through play.
ParticipACTION Guidelines
Kids 0-4: 180 minutes of active play at any intensity every day
Participating in activities with your children shows them that you place a high value on the benefits of physical activity and sets a great example for them. Luckily, there are lots of options when it comes to what to do in Vancouver to get active with your kids, from exploring parks and nature to running around at an indoor drop-in play time.
In addition to the physical health benefits, active play offers cognitive, emotional and social development benefits. It has been shown to improve and foster motor function, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving and social skills, the ability to control emotions and preschoolers’ speech. Spend time with your kids and:
[unordered_list style=”bullet”]- create safe spaces for play, with balls or toys to reach for and grasp
- get on the floor and play with them
- explore the outdoors
- play music and learn action songs together
- try to walk or bike as much as you can to your destination
Kids age 5 and up: 60 minutes of energetic play each day
Children that get the recommended amount of activity are more likely to develop good movement skills, are better learners and more self confident. They’re also less likely to develop heart disease, type two diabetes and other obesity related illnesses. Some examples of what to do in Vancouver with kids this age are:
[unordered_list style=”bullet”]- hopping, skipping, puddle-jumping and bike riding
- running, playing outside, brisk walking and dancing
- skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and skating
What to do in Vancouver: Get Active
Adults Aim for 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity each week.
If we think about increasing our activity as a natural part of our day we can find ways to insert it into our daily routines. There’s no need to join a gym or take classes. It can be as simple as:
[unordered_list style=”bullet”]- walking to school with the kids
- parking the car further away from the office, getting off the bus a few stops early
- going for a walk after dinner with the family
- spending most of our lunchbreak taking a walk and eating lunch afterwards
Be the Change You Want to See
Be the change you want to see. Active people live longer, healthier and happier lives. So get involved. Bring activity into your daily life and show your kids it can be fun too!
Look for the Bring Back Play Funmobile on tour visiting events, schools, neighbourhood parks and festivals in your area. It’s helping to encourage kids to get out and move, while educating parents on the importance of play. For more information on what to do in Vancouver to Bring Back Play, including the Remembrance Day Run on Nov 11, 2012 and the Vancouver Historic Half Marathon on November 27, 2012, visit ParticipACTION online.
What are your favourite ways to get your kids active and playing?
ParticipACTION
