Friday, 28 January 2011
Get kids off the couch to try new activities
Michelle Fortier, a professor in the University of Ottawa's School of Human Kinetics, told the Vancouver Sun: "They think I'm not an athlete and I don't like to go to the gym, so I can't do physical activity. (But) there are so many activities people can do, even lifestyle activities like walking..."
Another way to get kids to try new activities is to allow them to formulate their own reasons for taking part, such as wanting to become better at a certain pursuit or have a fun experience.
Kids' dreams can also be achieved through exercise, Ms Fortier pointed out, an example being a child who wants to be a ballerina taking dance classes to work towards achieving this.
Furthermore, the Daily Mail said that kids who are taking part in new activities should be given a pair of trainers with proper support.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Try walking as a value for money activity
"Walking is a great way to get back to fitness, as it places very low strain on the body compared to other forms of exercise, making it suitable for almost anyone to start," Maria Castellina, a spokesperson for Ramblers, said.
She added that working parents can also get many benefits from walks in the great outdoors. According to Ms Castellina, this value for money activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as lessening the risk of bone fractures and osteoarthritis.
Ms Castellina said that parents can improve their "strength and balance" by walking either as a family group or with other adults in their free time when little ones are at kids camps, which would offer a welcome break!
In addition, Wake Forest University recently conducted a study which discovered adults who were obese and had heart problems could use weight loss and walking to increase their mobility by up to 20 per cent.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Holiday activities to keep kids fit
News-leader.com said that during winter it's tempting to sit children in front of the screen to keep them entertained but it's much better to try new activities that will have the whole family working up a sweat.
The news source said that households can find new pursuits at a local community centre.
Another option is to try indoor sports, such as ice skating, bowling or rock climbing, together during the winter, giving caregivers the chance to "rediscover their inner athlete" and kids the opportunity to have fun.
If the weather is really too miserable to leave the house families can still try new activities in the form of video exercise programmes. The news source even suggested that cleaning the house together can be a good workout, although kids may be less eager to do this!
In addition, Legoland last year revealed that almost nine out of ten little ones had fun dressing up, which could also be a worthwhile holiday activity.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Kids 'don't try new activities outside'
Researchers from One Poll discovered little ones instead spend their free time indoors using a computer or watching TV, suggesting that they could become fitter if they attend activity day camps.
Parents said the average child spends half the time outside that they do indoors, with five to 16-year-olds preferring to watch TV or take a trip to the cinema. The study also showed that youngsters enjoy gaming and spending time on the internet.
''When I was at school, I would come home - dump my bag, jump over the fence and ramble until it was way past dark... Now, I never see young people in the countryside where I live," TV naturalist Chris Packham, who is backing the 'Kids Closer to Nature' campaign launched by Arla Foods, said.
Of the parents questioned, 45 per cent revealed that their kids spent more time inside as they were concerned about their safety, a problem that could be solved by treating them to holidays in summer camps.
In addition, broadcaster and author Stephen Moss told the Guardian that children should be able to get closer to nature outdoors, which would teach them responsibility.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Try value for money activities 'to combat obesity'
Barrington-il.patch.com said there are several activities that can help kids to keep healthy and avoid them gaining excess weight.
The news source recommended encouraging children to walk places (as long as they are not too far!) and fitting them with a pedometer, which could keep them motivated and increase their awareness.
Parents can also encourage their little ones to play outside, which is a tonic for both the body and soul, rather than playing on computers, as a number of research projects have found a link between screen time and obesity.
While kids are still in school one value for money activity is to walk with them to and from school, or let them travel there with friends if they are old enough.
In addition, a study by analyst company Datamonitor discovered that British kids are putting on weight as a result of not doing enough activities for children and eating too many unhealthy snacks.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids
Monday, 24 January 2011
Get kids to try new activities
Bruce Reyes-Chow, a pastor at Mission Bay Community Church in the US, told the San Francisco Chronicle that there is joy to be found in many pursuits.
Mr Chow said attempting value for money activities that little ones may not be good at is aN antidote to a hyper-competitive, time-poor society.
He said parents can help their kids to enjoy a variety of pursuits by reminding them that their skill level does not define their worth and they are there to be enjoyed.
Caregivers can also try new activities themselves even if they are not good at them and are fearful of looking foolish. Doing this will offer a positive image to their children.
In addition, Dr Miriam Stoppard said that little ones who take part in sport learn how to work as a team.
Posted by Katie Finch
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Activities for children to keep them fit
Claudia Lenart wrote for Barrington Patch that fighting the fat is not just about exercising more and eating less - although these two points are important!
She told parents that a good idea is to encourage schools to let children start their own vegetable garden, as this will allow them to exercise, teach them the importance of healthy eating and equip them with valuable skills for the future. Who knows, they may even bring some food home for dinner!
Carol Sternal, director of Cherished Children Early Learning Center in Illinois, said of the school's vegetable garden: "The children learned to love cherry tomatoes better than candy."
Another way to keep kids fit is to encourage them to try new activities by joining a sports team or sign up to a class doing something they love.
In addition, the recent Millennium Cohort Study showed that kids can be more physically active when their parents engage in play with them.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Holiday activities: Try reading and laughter
Now is the perfect time to do this as children's author Jeremy Strong has just launched his Campaign for Fun, a movement that encourages little ones to read for pleasure and UK classrooms to become more exciting and laughter-filled.
Mr Strong told Booktrade.info: "This is the dullest part of the new year, especially in primary schools as they gear up for the dreaded, dreary, stifling SATS. The Campaign for Fun sets out to doom the gloom."
He said kids find it easier to be educated when they try new activities that are enjoyable. Mr Strong added during his 17 years as a teacher he realised that humour could be used as a "positive" force to help little ones learn.
Furthermore, the Learning Well told parents that kids' literacy skills can be improved if the child is encouraged to ask lots of questions about books they are reading.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids
Avoid gaming, try new activities for children
The study, which is published in the American Journal of Paediatrics, suggested that children can become addicted to video games and their anxiety and depression levels can also be affected.
Over two years more than 3,000 kids in Singapore were observed, with nine per cent of players being found to be "addicted" to the games in terms of them affecting their emotions, relationships and grades.
Researchers also found that children displayed fewer depressive symptoms when troublesome gaming habits were reduced.
"When they [the kids] dropped below the pathological line [for gaming addiction] their depression decreased, their anxiety decreased, their social phobia decreased," Douglas Gentile, the lead author of the study, said.
However, others, such as the Entertainment Software Association, have cast doubt on the findings, calling the results "questionable".
Despite this, it is still important for children to take part in a range of activities to combat obesity, according to fitness and obesity consultant Elaine Sawetz.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Friday, 21 January 2011
Try archery; a value for money activity
This value for money activity is on offer at summer camps in England or from organisations nationwide and is suitable for the whole family.
Heather Gaulke, a ten-year-old from Minnesota, in the US, told Globegazette.com: "I like how we get to go places and compete, and it's just fun."
The youngster takes part in the value for money activity with her sister, nine-year-old Amy, and her parents Beth and Greg.
Both of the girls began the sport when they were four-years-old and their father started at a young age too. Mrs Gaulke said parents who get their kids involved in this pastime can let them take part in competitions.
The news source said kids can get the most out of this sport if they concentrate and dedicate time to practicing.
In addition, Dan Hebreard, a senior ranger at DuPage Forest Preserve in the US, told Pioneerlocal.com that for those who follow the rules, archery is a very safe sport.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Try holiday activities like origami
How can this be done? caregivers may well ask; by the Japanese art form of origami, according to Stltoday.com.
Parents looking for value for money activities may have so far only made paper planes with this material but can achieve so much more with their children.
"The popularity of origami has exploded in the past few decades," Dawn Tucker, who holds origami classes in Missouri, US, said.
Children can try this art form at kids camps or practice it at home using origami books, YouTube tutorials and diagrams.
The whole family can even get involved, using recycled calendars, paper and magazines to make weird and wonderful shapes.
On parent, Bruce Essman, whose child, Joshua, does origami, said that in an electronic era this traditional activity can give kids a chance to be creative with their hands and build their confidence.
In addition, Northjersey.com said that the most famous origami figure is the crane, but that there are also other important figures, such as the turtle.
Posted by Louie Grant
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Kids try new activities with fit friends
A study carried out by researchers at the University of Bristol found that both boys and girls who have close chums that are active are more fit themselves.
"Our findings show that supporting physical activity among friendship groups and encouraging friends to be active together, particularly outside of school, may bring about important changes to children's physical activity," Dr Russ Jago, one of the academics involved in the research, said.
Natasha Stewart, a cardiac nurse with the British Heart Foundation, said that a child is more likely to be active if they have a "good exercise role model" in the form of a friend.
The Better With A Buddy: The Influence Of Best Friends On Children's Physical Activity study was carried out on 986 children between the ages of ten and 11.
In addition, Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, said that it's ok for kids to spend time playing on the computer as long as this is balanced with physical exercise.
Posted by Louie Grant
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Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Try new activities 'to keep kids motivated'
The Savannah Morning News said that a change of activity or scenery can keep the whole family motivated to exercise.
Parents have been told there are many value for money activities they can do with kids, such as walking and carrying canned goods or bottled water back from the shops to improve strength.
In addition, caregivers may want to get their kids more active by helping them take part in activities they take pleasure in - or at least don't despise!
Amy Jo Riggs, assistant professor and registered dietician in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Georgia Southern University, said: "The younger generation is getting a little bit more creative in trying to do intramural sports and joining different sports teams."
To begin with, Ms Riggs told the news source that the whole family can spend 20 minutes exercising four or five days each week.
In addition, Tam Fry, board member of the National Obesity Forum, said that kids can be kept active if they are allowed to walk the family dog, with supervision if they are young.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Monday, 17 January 2011
Try new winter activities for children
Times & Transcript said that this free activity can be immensely enjoyable, particularly when it takes place in parks and scenic areas that will keep kids interested.
The news source recommended taking little ones to areas that have lots of wildlife, so that the family can spend the day trying to make sightings.
In this environment children can also be noisy in an open space without disturbing the neighbours. In fact, the news source said that hungry animals, such as ducks, may even be attracted to the din.
Families taking part in this value for money activity may want to leave a trail of food on a path to lead cute woodland creatures to them.
In addition, one parent told the Guardian that parents in Cornwall should take their kids to Cardinham Woods, where they will find insects and go pond-dipping.
Posted by Louie Grant
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Merge maths with holiday activities
The Tehran Times said that this subject - although it doesn't sound it - can be made fun by featuring it in value for money activities as diverse as baking and art.
Maths can be made an essential part of baking if kids are allowed to measure out cups and tablespoons of ingredients, showing them how this subject can be important and fun, too.
There is also an art form called Zentangle, which is all about using white and black ink to draw repetitive patterns, showing that maths can produce pretty results.
In addition, children have also been encouraged to take part in activities outdoors to keep fit and healthy. Chris Brown, co-founder of sunshine.co.uk, told mums and dads that playing with kids outdoors will also help them to create happy memories.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Friday, 14 January 2011
Holiday activities: Try family fitness
Hernando Today said that everyone can have fun keeping fit no matter what their age or interests.
The news source told busy parents that making activities a part of all the family members' schedules can serve two purposes; fulfilling their new year resolutions to keep fit and spending more time with their precious loved ones.
Doing this can make family ties even stronger and lead to a routine that is easy to keep up if people support one another.
T o make it even more fun, parents looking to try new activities can make sure that laughter is part of their family exercise routine, which will make exercise seem like less of a chore.
The news source offered further encouragement for family fitness, saying that kids are more likely to have weight problems themselves if their parents do too, proving that now is the time for everyone to get fit.
One activity to try together could be foraging, which TV presenter Amanda Hamilton said can allow the whole family to get some fresh air.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Kids camps news: Help a child eat well
Opposingviews.com said it's important that young people are discouraged from going on fad diets, which may see them not eating enough calories or nutrients for their growing bodies.
Instead, parents can lead by example by trying new activities to keep fit and eating healthy meals as a family.
Kids can be told they can keep a healthy weight by avoiding refined flour, refined sugar and processed food, and by choosing to eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.
The news source said: "If you can teach them [children] to get active and eat healthy while they’re young, they have a very good chance of continuing to eat healthy and exercise as they reach adulthood."
Furthermore, Florence Mitchell, a lecturer in nursing at Queen's University, said that parents can help their kids avoid obesity by encouraging them to try new activities.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Try new activities to keep kids fit
Statesmanjournal.com revealed allowing a child to take part in activities that are appropriate for their age is the way to get them on their feet and active.
The news source said: "If a child learns that exercise is painful, boring and non-rewarding, they are likely to quit and have a bad association with physical activity."
Parents can choose from value for money activities, such as sports teams, dancing or swimming, according to their child's likes.
Caregivers may also want to become involved themselves and make after dinner walks a regular, and looked-forward-to, family event that allows them to connect with their kids.
In addition, tennis star Anna Keothavong told the Telegraph that schools should encourage children to try out different sports.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids
Many 'don't see going abroad as good value for money'
A study by AA Travel Insurance found 21 per cent of people have chosen not to go on holiday outside of the UK.
In addition, 40 per cent admitted that this was either because they have been put off booking a trip overseas due to the economy or because they can't afford it this year.
The survey also found 31 per cent of people had not yet decided if they would go abroad this year. "Our research suggests that a large number of people who normally take an overseas holiday are having second thoughts," Mark Huggins, director of AA Financial Services, said.
Those who said they were making cutbacks on how much they spend on holiday could benefit from kids camps, which could be a more value for money option.
In addition, Philadelphia Weekly Blogs said that those on a staycation can eat out and go shopping in the local area.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Create a value for money party
Discountcoder.com said parents can save a lot of money by doing this rather than getting a professional to plan that special party.
The website's founder Daisy Bell suggested that adults try new activities with their little ones at the party rather than just watching the action. Ms Bell said: "... Surely the whole idea behind having children in the first place is to enjoy their company."
In good weather parents can pack children onto the bus and take them somewhere scenic outdoors to enjoy traditional games like hide and seek, egg and spoon races and three legged races.
Another option is to get kids to make costumes instead of buying them, by decorating old garments and creating jewellery and badges.
In addition, the Daily Mail said kids can be kept more active by taking them on family walks at a variety of locations across the UK, such as Bantham beach in Devon and Cherwell Valley in Oxford.
Posted by Louie Grant
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Activities for children in Bedford
Next month the Bedford Corn Exchange will host the value for money activity, with tickets for kids costing only £12.50 and £10 for concessions.
The live show will "blow your mind and challenge your brain" when it's performed on the stage for the first time, Bedford Corn exchange claimed.
The whole family can witness demonstrations and experiments in a show that is suitable for everyone aged seven and above.
The tour will reach Bedford on February 17th and will be performed at 19:00 GMT on the Wednesday and at 11:30 GMT and 19:00 GMT on the Thursday.
In addition, children who live in and around Bedford can be taken to see Roary the Racing Car at the town's Corn Exchange in May. Roary speeds onto stage to take part in a race against the other cars to win the coveted trophy.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Parents get little free times, kids camps could help
The Co-operative Food Survey spoke to 3,000 parents who have jobs and discovered that the average one got out of bed at 6:42 GMT and did not feel their heads hit the pillow until 22:45 GMT.
During their hectic days they spent eight hours and 12 minutes at work, 55 minutes in the shower, eating breakfast and dressing, 47 minutes making sure their kids were ready for nursery or school and one hour doing school runs and the commute to work.
Relaxation was restricted to only an hour and a half by the time preparing and eating dinner, family time and housework were factored into the day.
In addition, a study by Persimmon Homes showed that parents are too busy to take up activities with their kids.
Posted by Clara Gasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Monday, 10 January 2011
Keep your child healthy with good food and exercise
The Charlotte Observer said that if a child is overweight they are at greater risk of developing hypertension, orthopaedic problems, high cholesterol, respiratory ailments and type two diabetes while they are still young.
Parents can eat meals at the same time as their children and prepare healthy food to make sure that they stay at a safe weight. When it comes to snacking in between meals, kids can be given fruit or vegetables and water when they are thirsty.
Green-fingered parents may also want to help their little ones exercise by taking up gardening and encouraging them to eat some of the items that they grow.
Caregivers can also cycle with their children, walk with them and take part in active activities to set a good example for little ones to follow.
Furthermore, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan agreed that parents should encourage children to eat wisely and take part in physical activity to improve their health.
Posted by Aaron Henry
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Try new activities to boost your child's literacy skills
The Learning Well told parents that literacy activities for little ones are all about questions and answers and the child's involvement.
The news source said that children's questioning natures are the secret to boosting their literary ability.
Adults can ask their youngster a question using the words where, when, what, how, who or why to encourage their mind to come up with an answer.
The educational website suggested that parents can take their kids to a place of historical interest and use these six words in the same number of questions.
For example, parents could ask "what happened here?" or "when did people live here?"
As well as this, reading is a good activity and a child may get more from a book if it is bought for them rather than borrowed. This is because kids who own their own copy can re-read it, Henrietta Dombey, emeritus professor of literacy in primary education at the University of Brighton, said.
Posted by Clara Gasper
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Ann Widdecombe urges schools to try new activities
Speaking at the North of England Education Conference, held in Blackpool, the one-time Tory MP said the pursuit should be encouraged, although not made compulsory, the BBC reports.
The 63-year-old also noted that the pastime can prove to be a good memory test for participants, stating: "Trying to string together 30 seconds worth of ballroom steps proved quite a challenge."
However, Ms Widdecombe did express her belief that being faced with a "barrage" of criticism as she was on the hit TV show would not boost young people's self-esteem.
This comes after tennis player Anne Keothavong told the Telegraph that it is important kids are given the opportunity to try new activities and teachers should persuade them to adopt an interest in sport.
Posted by Katie Finch
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Academies 'allows kids to try new activities'
It is possible the scheme - which has led to the opening of 407 such academies thus far - could encourage kids to try new activities, with Mike Crawshaw, head of Debenham High School in Suffolk, stating it allows facilities to offer a "broad, balanced" curriculum.
This includes "extra academic and pastoral support for children that need it and thriving music, sport and activities outside class", he continued.
According to newly released government figures, 46 academies were launched this week alone, with a total of 204 opening since September 2010.
This comes after the School Games project provided £20 million in funding to improve the take-up of competitive pursuits in schools, an initiative that is to be extended to primary facilities this year.
Posted by Aaron Henry
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK’s No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
Children find cycling 'fun'
According to an Ipsos Mori poll, conducted on behalf of the Department for Transport, 89 per cent of youngsters find the pursuit fun and 44 per cent consider it to be exciting.
This contrasts with adult views, who primarily associate the practice with health and fitness. In fact, 66 per cent described it as fun and under 35 per cent as exciting.
It was also found that 31 per cent of grown ups admitted they do not feel confident about teaching their children to ride bikes, with the biggest barrier to taking up the practice being not owning a bicycle.
Encouraging such interests could prove beneficial to youngsters, as research from the NHS Information Centre indicated that 28.7 per cent of pupils in year six are considered obese.
Posted by Anna Simmons
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Thursday, 6 January 2011
Parenting practices 'important' to encourage physical activity
This is according to the Millennium Cohort Study, conducted by researchers at Swansea University and published by BioMed Central, which suggested that it could be important to spend time with youngsters and make room for playground visits in schedules.
"Findings show that income is an important factor in determining the pattern of child activity levels at age five," it was observed.
It recommended financial subsidisation of exercise and sport to help people with lower incomes participate in different activities.
This comes after professor dame Sally Davies, interim chief medical officer for England, said now is the perfect time to initiate small changes to lead healthier lifestyles, suggesting playing with kids in the park.
Posted by Clara Gasper
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Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Expert: A little bit of imagination can keep the kids happy
This is according to Tanith Carey, who, in an article for the Daily Mirror, said there are plenty of value for money activities for children that they can do in their own homes.
She suggested mums and dads organise an arts and crafts session and make a snow dome, as all that is required is a glass jar, a plastic decoration, glycerine and some glitter.
Ms Carey explained when the weather is bad parents could organise a winter sports event.
"Curling is lots of fun - and all you need is a smooth floor, a broom and some slidey objects to push around," she stated.
Earlier this week, interim chief medical officer for England professor Dame Sally Davies suggested mothers and fathers persuade their kids to try new activities.
She explained children should exercise for at least one hour a day.
Posted by Clara Glasper
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
www.barracudas.co.uk
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Childcare Tax Relief
However, it has been decided that those paying higher and additional rates of tax who join the scheme after April 2011 should only be able to make the same tax savings as those paying basic rate tax. In practice, this will be implemented by restricting the amount of tax exempt vouchers that higher and additional rate tax payers will be able to receive.
The changes only apply to parents who join a scheme on or after 6th April 2011 - This means that by joining a scheme now, a parent can save up to £910 a year more! For full information visit www.childcarevouchers.co.uk
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Parents advised to persuade their offspring to try new activities
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the interim chief medical officer for England, said the new year is the perfect time to make small changes so families can lead healthier lifestyles.
"Ideally we should be doing 30 minutes of exercise five times a week - or an hour a day for children. Exercise doesn't have to be painful - you could play with your kids in the park," she added.
Professor Davies made the comments during the launch of a new government scheme, in which five million voucher books worth £50 will be handed out to families.
The scheme - entitled the Great Swapathon - will feature a pamphlet full of advice and tips on how mums and dads can make 2011 the year they get healthy.
Elsewhere, government officials recently revealed funding worth £20 million will be spent trying to persuade children to take part in competitive sports as part of the School Games project.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
www.barracudas.co.uk
Parents advised to persuade their offspring to try new activities
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the interim chief medical officer for England, said the new year is the perfect time to make small changes so families can lead healthier lifestyles.
"Ideally we should be doing 30 minutes of exercise five times a week - or an hour a day for children. Exercise doesn't have to be painful - you could play with your kids in the park," she added.
Professor Davies made the comments during the launch of a new government scheme, in which five million voucher books worth £50 will be handed out to families.
The scheme - entitled the Great Swapathon - will feature a pamphlet full of advice and tips on how mums and dads can make 2011 the year they get healthy.
Elsewhere, government officials recently revealed funding worth £20 million will be spent trying to persuade children to take part in competitive sports as part of the School Games project.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
www.barracudas.co.uk
Government funding 'will be spent on activities for children'
The cash is part of the wider School Games project and will be used to boost the take up of competitive sports in schools. Health secretary Andrew Lansley said secondary schools will get £6.4 million to spend to secure the future of Change4Life Clubs.
He revealed the initiative will also be extended into primary schools next year, with the hope of persuading youngsters to get involved with a range of pursuits.
"This money will create more exciting opportunities to get the least active children involved in sport and physical activity - with all the important health benefits that come with being more active," he added.
Youngsters who participate in the scheme will be able to try new sports including, volleyball, badminton and table-tennis.
Elsewhere, Michael Gove recently revealed the school sports programme will not be axed, instead education facilities will get half of the £162 million funding to continue with their efforts to get more kids to try new activities.
Posted by Katie Finch
News provided by Barracudas Activity Day Camps, the UK's No.1 operator of Easter and Summer camps for kids!
www.barracudas.co.uk
Activities on offer at London Transport Museum
Kids have the chance to participate in arts and crafts activities in the London Transport Museum.
The youngsters will have the opportunity to transform leftover wrapping paper, old newspapers and magazines into giant paper chains and baubles, The Independent reports.
According to the news provider, parents can still take their offspring to the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park where a range of activities for children are on offer.
Kids will be able to try their hand at ice-skating on the capital's largest outdoor rink, or they can take a spin on a 50 metre-high big wheel.
And history buffs can have a lesson in Tudor cookery when the royal kitchens at Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, come to life.
Mums and dads who are looking for value for money activities to keep their little ones entertained may want to organise a family walk, as Maria Castellina from the Ramblers recently claimed strolling for one mile can burn off 100 calories.
Posted by Aaron Henry
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