Skill: Run

One way to encourage kids to play is to prompt rather than suggest. Often, the activities they find the most engaging are the ones they invent themselves.

The snow is gone, the birds are singing, and my kids are full of energy. Thankfully, spring offers many opportunities for children to get moving outdoors.

If you or your kids are trying to figure out ways to be active each day during this time of isolation, turn to the Recipe for an Active Day for ideas.

Even while social distancing, families can get out for walks in their neighbourhood. Here are some ideas to keep things fun and fresh.

These spaces offer valuable opportunities for the development of physical literacy and for experimentation.

Physical education doesn’t just happen in a gymnasium. I’m a big proponent of active free play outside during physical education (PE) class. In my PE classes, I plan for quite a lot of it when the weather allows. There are so many benefits of free play outside that cannot be replicated in the gymnasium. In most … Continued

Get straight to the “merry and bright” portion of your holiday without having to scramble for the perfect gift. With the holiday season just around the corner, here are our picks for the best new active toys that will help develop your children’s physical literacy and keep them moving into the new year and beyond. … Continued

Caleigh MacPherson, a soccer player for the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers, fell in love with the sport from a very young age. She was just four years old when she first started playing soccer, but she said the fact that she spent time spent playing other sports too is what helped her become the high-performing athlete … Continued

“Any questions?” This well-meaning phrase, when posed to a group of young female athletes, often results in 10 or more hands shooting up, and you as a coach end up standing there fielding questions like you’ve just entered your own personal press conference. You may be thinking to yourself, “Well that’s just how kids are.” … Continued

My youngest son, Cam, has always been full of surprises. With a flair for the dramatic, Cam decided that he would make his grand entrance into the world more than 12 weeks early. With the ensuing medical issues, including collapsed lungs, chronic lung disease, infections, viruses, heart concerns, and prolonged gastrointestinal and feeding issues, his … Continued

Your child gets ready to jump from the monkey bars and you get ready for a trip to the hospital. Is this a reasonable reaction? Unless there’s a pit of poisonous serpents or a bed of nails below, probably not. As Dr. Mariana Brussoni of the University of British Columbia points out, statistics show that … Continued

With some creativity, trampolines can be used for a lot more than just jumping. Children love to leap, but when you add a variety of activities to the usual jump routine, kids will bounce their way to even more fun. Safety should always come first, so before your child gets hopping, keep these safety tips … Continued

Earlier this year, my wife and I wanted to plan an outdoor birthday party for our four-year-old. We decided to organize it at our local beach, Petrie Island, in Ottawa. We contacted Friends of Petrie Island, an organization responsible for educating the public about the importance of nature, preservation, and ecology. It also helps organize … Continued

“It’s never too early to build confidence and motivation that lasts a lifetime.” -Rising New York Road Runners   Runners know the secret to why running is good for our minds and bodies. There is plenty of research and science to back it up. Running makes us happy, it can help us lose or maintain weight, … Continued

Canada is home to more than 1.6 million Indigenous people, including 600 First Nations communities, as well as Inuit and Métis communities. These distinct nations and groups have diverse histories, traditions, and cultures—as well as games and activities. Traditional sports and games can help strengthen an Indigenous child’s sense of culture and tradition while increasing … Continued

But role models are not enough to change the lives of Canadian girls

Learning to ride a bike without training wheels is a rite of passage for many of us. This journey for most comes with many falls, cuts and bruises even with our helmets, elbow and knee pads on. Though there is not a way to completely bypass falling off our first bike, there is a steadier way … Continued

Try one of this fun football alternatives

Preparation makes for fun family winter hikes

Games and activities for the whole family

DOWNLOAD PLAYBOOK PDF Day 1: Tightrope Skill: Balance 15 minutes This activity develops coordination and balance as kids try to walk a straight line on a rope lying on the ground. More» Day 2: Mirror Mirror Skill: Agility, Balance, Hop, Jump, Run, Skip 10 minutes This activity develops coordination and balance as kids try to … Continued

Just 15 minutes a day makes a difference

It’s summer! If you’re looking for the perfect ingredients for backyard fun, add a pinch of friends and family, a dash of laughter, a smidge of silly, a dab of imagination, and a sprinkle of … sprinklers! Sun and waterplay go together like lemonade and ice cubes. When the temperatures go up, kids love to … Continued

10 international games for kids to play