Get your kids off the couch!

When the cold weather arrives, your kids might want to stay curled up on the couch watching movies or playing games, but it is important for their mental and physical health to stay active. Here are four ways to get them moving:

1. Make it into a game. Get your kids outside and playing with the piles of leaves as you rake. When it gets colder, challenge them to a snowball fight or have a friendly snowman building contest. Award a fun prize to the winner.

2. Get active as a family. Head outdoors and go for a nature walk through the park, identifying trees and interesting birds. Once it snows, go tobogganing, ski if you are lucky enough to live near a hill, or try snowshoeing. If you are excited

to get active, it’s more likely your kids will want to join in on the fun too.

3. Play Canada’s game. Hockey is a great way to get active in the winter months, but if you’re unsure if your kids will enjoy it, they can try it via The Canadian Tire First Shift. The affordable program offers head-to-toe hockey equipment and six on-ice sessions for only $199.

4. Take it indoors. If it’s too cold to go outside, take your activity inside. Bring your kids to a local community centre and have them try karate or a yoga class, or as a family go for a dip in an indoor pool and pretend its summer again.

Find more information at www. firstshift.ca. (News Canada)