Three Fun And Active Things For Kids To Do In Colorado Springs
When you think about unhealthy states, Colorado probably doesn’t immediately spring to mind. The Centennial State, and especially the area of Colorado Springs, is full of great things to do outdoors, there’s plenty of farm fresh food to eat, and you think that you lead a pretty active lifestyle. You may try to hit the gym 3 days a week and don’t reach for a second donut, but what about the eating habits of your children? This may come as a shock, but the obesity rate for children in Colorado has been largely unchanged for a little over a decade. The Colorado Child Heath Survey said that the state’s childhood obesity rate was 14.8%, and it was only 14.6% in 2014.
With recess and gym time being cut in schools in Colorado Springs, and the popularity of video games and digital interactions, kids simply aren’t as active as they used to be. Many are busy with homework and extra-curricular activities, and they barely have enough time to do anything active. You can’t drastically change their busy school-focused lifestyle, but you can plan for them to do more activities outside. Here are three ideas to help you get started.
1. Take them hiking
Do you remember how much you loved being outside and interacting with nature when you were a kid? There are so many places where your kid can blow off some energy and see different plants and animals in Colorado Springs, but there’s nothing more beautiful than Red Rock Canyon. You may not have the patience (or the money) to visit the Grand Canyon, but Red Rock is arguably more beautiful and much more accessible. There are plenty of well-maintained and safe paths for you, your children, and sometimes even your family dog to explore.
2. Motive them with professional athletes
Maybe your child just isn’t into typical outdoor activities. If this is the case, then it may be good for them to develop an interest in sports. They may not know what sport they want to participate in, but they could find some inspiration at the nearby Olympic Training Center. You and your children will be able to see the way Olympic level athletes train, and you could even learn a few things about exercise and nutrition. After a family friendly tour of the facility your child may be more inspired to lead an active lifestyle.
3. Take them to a water park
Sometimes kids just need to be kids, and they need to do something where they’ll have fun. Luckily for you there’s an indoor water park in Colorado Springs, and it’s the perfect destination for your next family vacation. Your kids will have a lot of fun splashing around in the water park, and you’ll be able to have fun with them.
What are your kids’ favorite ways to stay active?
