How to Keep Children Active When the Weather Gets Colder

When the temperature drops, the rain sets in and trips to the park become less appealing, keeping children active can feel a little harder. But the weather changes, their need to move doesn’t.

Play England recently highlighted research showing that 72% of parents think children spend too little time taking part in active play, while almost half of children would like to spend more time playing active games. Find out more about Play England’s research here.

 

How much activity do children need?

UK physical activity guidelines recommend that children aged 1 to 5 get at least 180 minutes of physical activity throughout the day. For children from 5 years, the recommendation is an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day across the week.

The good news? It doesn’t have to mean exercise classes or organised sport. Playing, climbing, jumping, dancing and active games all count. So as we enter the colder months, swap your park trip for 360 Play. Children can climb, crawl and explore our three storey playframe, create their own adventures around 360 Street, get behind the wheel on the Dodgems and enjoy different activities throughout their visit.

It’s active play without children even thinking about exercise. They’re simply busy having fun.

And with Stay and Play All Day, there’s no need to cut the fun short because it’s raining, freezing or getting dark outside.

 

Keep moving, whatever the weather

Active play helps children develop movement and coordination, build confidence, strengthen muscles and bones and support their wider development.

So when park days become fewer, don’t let the weather decide whether they play. Swap the park for 360 Play. Plan your next active family day out here.