School’s out! Learn about keeping kids healthy during the summer
Summertime, and the livin’ isn’t so easy for parents. You must make plans for your kids when school’s out, try to keep their meals and snacks healthy, and attempt to stick to valuable routines that can fly out the window during summer vacation. Our Plano pediatricians know it’s not easy, so we want to give you a little advice on keeping kids healthy during the summer.
Healthy eating helps kids thrive
It’s so easy for kids to slip into habits like eating too many salty snacks and sweets when they spend more time at home. Here are three things you can do to help your kids stay on track.
- Keep healthy fruits and vegetables on the counter or in the fridge, sliced up and ready for snacking.
- Enlist your kids’ help with grocery shopping and cooking. Make it a fun activity to do together. Keeping kids healthy during the summer is a family activity.
- Encourage children to drink water. They need to stay hydrated, and water is the very best way to do this. Limit the number of soft drinks and juices they drink.
Keeping kids active
Our Plano pediatricians recommend 150 minutes or more of aerobic activity every week. Here are a few ideas to help them get there.
- Consider putting your children in a few summer camps or organized activities this summer. Swimming lessons are a good activity and help keep kids safe.
- Encourage your kids to get outside. Take them to parks or go for a bike ride. They love it when parents play, too.
- Provide kids with toys that require active play. Give them balls, bikes, jump ropes, scooters and outdoor games.
Healthy summer habits for kids include limiting screen time and sticking to bedtime routines
One of the most vital healthy summer habits for kids is limiting their screen time. Too much screen time has negative consequences, such as obesity, problems sleeping, behavior issues and language delays. Preschoolers shouldn’t have more than an hour of screen time each day. Older children should limit their time to two hours or less.
Summer vacation and activities can disrupt bedtime, but kids still need good sleep, so as often as possible, try to stick to the bedtime rituals they know and expect.
The most important thing about keeping kids healthy during the summer
The key to keeping kids healthy during the summer is this — enjoy your time with them and create ways for them to enjoy themselves. Healthy summer habits for kids keep everyone happy. Contact our Plano pediatricians if you need an appointment or more information.
