Lena Kairua Active Families Advisor Sport Bay of Plenty

Winter can mean less desire to be active and an increase in unhealthy food choices.

Hey mums and dads - with the weather getting colder and wetter and the kids pressing their noses and hands on the ranch slider window saying ' we're bored ', we need to come up with some ideas to stay active and healthy over the winter months. Better yet, as parents we should get involved as well! If children see their parents getting involved it builds awareness that activity is a fun thing to do.

So, let's get off the couch and drag ourselves away from the television and other equally inactive pastimes and get moving.

If team sport is not available or not part of your child's preferred choice, here are some winter indoor and outdoor activities you may explore as a family.

Winter is a great time to get outdoors and the weather can add some adventure to any activity. Dress appropriately. Warm clothes, wet weather gear, hats, gloves, and get out walking on some of the tracks around the Eastern BOP.

Take your bikes out for a cycle or get down to the local park and playground. Closer to home, play in the back yard could include raking up some leaves and jumping over or through them. Get creative, set up an obstacle course, make up teams, eg mum and dad vs the kids.

We can remain indoors. Get together and clean out the garage and then create your own adventure playground. Set up some activities like gutter ball, hacky sack, hop scotch, elastic and jump rope or crank up the stereo and get some dance moves going.

Set up some challenges or change the rules with some of the games. Keep it interesting and fun.

Keeping up regular activity can also provide motivation to eat healthier. Winter inactivity often leads to eating heavier, stodgy, high fat content foods and also high sugar content treats. Be aware of food choices and plan healthy eating options with your family outings. Keep the family moving, keep active, stay healthy and well.

If you would like help to get your children active Sport Bay of Plenty offers a free Active Families programme that aims to support, encourage and motivate families to increase their physical activity and make healthy food choices.

For more information on the programme contact Lena at Sport Bay of Plenty on 07 578 0016 or lenak@sportbop.co.nz