Check out the AfL team’s Canada 150 video
Can you keep up with the AfL team’s Canada 150 activities
Bunny hopping
A fun activity for kids 3-8 that celebrates our furry friends and develops an important movement skill
The super-organized parent’s new (school) year’s resolutions
Make lists … or don’t. But stay active.
John Herdman: Our kids need Play Angels
The coach of Canada’s women’s national soccer team says kids need to develop basic movement skills
Bathtub swimmer
Splashing and kicking in the tub prepares toddlers to become active in the water
Basket catch
Here’s a simple way to help teach toddlers to develop hand-eye coordination
Spencer O’Brien: Pro snowboarder benefits from multisport experience
Spencer O’Brien says that playing many sports helped her be successful in snowboard slopestyle
School sports: P4A gets more kids playing
All kids who want to participate get to play at an appropriate level
Bringing back play: Participaction’s Kelly Murumets
A new way to promote active kids and families
NHL star Vincent Lecavalier walks a tightrope
The hockey player shows a group of children how to do the tightrope walking activity
This dribbling activity teaches basic bouncing, enhances eye-hand coordination
Grab your child’s favourite ball, find a wide-open space and let the learning begin
Skipping
Skipping develops two fundamental skills, coordination and jumping
Long jump
Inspire your child to grow by leaps and bounds this summer
Get the entire family playing pickup soccer
Soccer is an easy game to understand and it’s fun to play
Summer day camps for kids
Many municipalities offer day camps or specialized camps. Some are general programs that give kids a chance at many different types of activities, including sports, outdoor adventures and museum and gallery visits. Others are more intensive around a particular interest, like art or computers; the best of these also provide opportunities for regular physical activity … Continued
June 15 is Nature Play Day
Here’s another reason to get outside. Friday, June 15 is Nature Play Day in Canada. The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada is encouraging all Canadians to get outdoors to experience the joys of outdoor play. We know the importance of playing outside. Children confident in both indoor and outdoor environments become active for life. We’ve … Continued
50 things to do before you’re 12
Are your kids spending too much time indoors? The National Trust of England is taking a fresh approach to getting kids active outdoors by publishing a “bucket list” – 50 things to do in the outdoors before you are 11 ¾ years old! Bucket lists have become de rigueur for adults looking to cram excitement … Continued
Scrub baseball
It’s baseball season and there’s no better time to get outside with a bat and ball and your kids. You don’t need to be part of a league to play. Scrub baseball is fun with as few as six players. Just grab some friends, neighbours or cousins and get out to your local park. This … Continued
Overhand catching
In our last newsletter, we shared with you the idea that children are ready to learn how to catch a light ball when they are three to four years old. The simple, underhand catch activity for beginners is good for your toddler to begin learning that skill. Once your child is comfortable with the simple underhand … Continued
What kind of sport activities are best for kids?
Q: I see ads for exercise programs geared at kids. Some do things like sit-ups and push-ups. Is this really necessary for children? What kinds of activities and exercises should I be looking at? If you have children between the ages of 5 and 10, you should look for a kids’ multi-sport program that focuses on … Continued
Tightrope walking
Here is another great indoor or outdoor activity to get your preschool child developing important movement skills: walking a tightrope. Find a thin piece of rope or a long piece of ribbon. Stretch the rope or ribbon out on the floor of your living room. (If you don’t have carpeting, you might want to secure … Continued
Underhand catching
Generally, children are ready to learn how to catch a light ball when they are three to four years old. By age five, you should definitely be playing catch with them. This activity teaches basic underhand catching skills using a simple sock ball, and it can be done indoors or outdoors. Catching is a very … Continued
Bucket toss golf
It’s January and maybe there’s a blizzard outside. Perhaps it’s raining sideways with hurricane-force winds. That’s okay. Your child can be active and learn physical skills even on bad weather days. Here’s a simple game to get your toddler having fun with fundamental throwing skills. 1. Get a beanbag or a soft foam ball that … Continued