The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
THANKSGIVING BREAK ACTIVITIES TO KEEP KIDS MOVING
The demands of planning, shopping, cooking and home prep leading up to Thanksgiving can pose some challenges for parents looking to keep their kids from having too much screen time and feeling cooped up at home during their holiday break.
Pottstown and neighboring counties offer easy access to fun opportunities for your kids to get some physical activity that, in turn, can give you a little break and a chance to exhale.
Despite the temperatures dipping, as long as kids are properly suited up, there is still much fun to be had outdoors in the crisp autumn air at no charge, such as nature walks and roller skating at a local park.
Indoor activities such as ice skating, rock climbing and bowling are just a few options that enable kids to expend some energy while off from school.
For those who like to keep up structure, a special program offered by a local library might fit the bill. For those who like more flexibility, an open skate time at an ice skating rink might suit your speed.
Susie Hawkins, Children’s Programming Assistant at Chester Spring Library, Chester County, recently offered a juggling workshop for elementary-aged children off from school on Election Day. The 4½-hour workshop included juggling instruction, a pizza lunch and hand-eye coordination games. The workshop concluded with a performance for parents.
This Tuesday, during Thanksgiving break, Hawkins will be offering a nature program for elementary school-aged kids from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The program will be hosted by Jared Brandt, an Environmental Education Specialist with French Creek State Park and Marsh Creek State Park.
In sync with the season, the workshop will focus on autumn and how animals prepare for the colder months.
“We are going to walk in the woods and find evidence of animals,” Hawkins said. “There is so much nature surrounding the library that I like to be able to use it.”
Nature program
They will take to the trails that are located on the hill directly behind the library’s parking lot.
“I think that being able to move and do things will help them retain information by doing the actual actions we are talking about,” she said. “They will get bored if we are just sitting there telling them the facts.”
Through independent discovery, the children will be offered a different way of learning beyond the confines of a classroom during their time off.
“The kids will discover things on their own that they are interested in,” Hawkins said. “It’s all organic and natural and whatever they decide they want to learn about is what we will talk about.”
The educational experience will help keep minds sharp during the break, in addition to keeping bodies moving.
“We like something that is educational, but also fun, so we are keeping minds active, but in a different way than they would get with school,” she said.
Hawkins said the library makes an effort to offer programs during the times kids are typically off on holiday breaks. Their offerings generally involve a way for kids to expend their energy.
“This nature program is aimed towards elementary-aged kids because they will be off and it will be something more advanced that we offer, aside from our storytime for preschoolers that we normally offer,” she said.
During the one-hour Autumn Animals Nature Walk Program when the children are occupied, parents can consider using the downtime to browse some recipe books for Thanksgiving day cooking inspiration, or search for a novel to dig into over the holidays.
“Parents usually come and hang out in the library area during the program,” she said. “It will give something for parents to do to break up the day.”
Lining up activities
Laura Geiger, Spring City, is a mother of two girls, Ella, 10, and Corrina, 8, with her husband, Scott. She spent some time earlier this week lining up activities for her girls for the upcoming Thanksgiving break so that they can keep active and connect with friends during their time off from school.
“Planning a few outdoor activities with friends helps us have a rhythm to our days when school is off,” Geiger said. “At this age, friendships start to become very important and I know my kids are more likely to be active with their friends than with their parents.”
Two activities she plans to do are rollerblading outdoors at a nearby park and taking a hike. Both will involve friends.
“My kids will enjoy seeing their friends when they don’t get to see them at school,” Geiger said. “My girls love skating and it’s a great way to get outdoor exercise.”
Geiger especially loves planning physical activities because of some of the physical benefits that impact how they feel. The planned activities also give her a chance to have a little social time of her own.
“I like to plan physical activities, especially outdoors, as we all sleep better and feel better,” she said. “It’s a treat for me too when the activity involves the friend’s mom.”