The 5 Best Health & Fitness Activities for Kids in Kuitpo (5172)

There are many kinds of amusement centres all over Australia and these amusement centres also have various kinds of activities that you and your kids won't get tired of. There are play centres and playgrounds, arcades, indoor play areas for kids, and party venues. Safety depends on the age of your children. If they are toddlers, you might want to pick out a less risky activity for them. But if your children are adolescents, you can let them enjoy as long as they are within the height limit and age bracket that the activity is designed for. If you worry about the safety of your kids in an open space, you can bring them to indoor play centres. If you don't mind letting them explore their surroundings more, you can opt for outdoor play centres. In these amusement centres, they always provide different kinds of play equipment that your kids can play with. Whether it's a simple playground set such as a swing, slide, and seesaw, or a huge plastic balloon that allows your kids to be encapsulated in so they can run on water, these kids activities will surely give your child time of their lives. Spending time with your children will benefit them in many ways and also aid their development. Here is the list of benefits that your children will get from simply spending time with them:

Depending on the venue, kids activities will vary in availability. If your children are easily scared, make sure that your chosen activities for kids will not be too physically demanding and startling. If your children are up for an adventure, you can let them try mini-bungee jumping and laser tag. Get your kids to enjoy amusement centres! Usually amusement centres such as theme parks, party venues, kids parks, playgrounds, and play centres are not heavy on the budget. They offer discounts and promos on weekends and will give higher discounts for tickets purchased as groups. Depending on their play equipment, their prices will vary. Check the ActiveActivities directory for the listings of kids venues and theme parks and have a great time with your children!

Why is going to amusement centres a great activity for your kids?

There is also an effect that alcohol has on how you digest your food. Alcohol is a separate energy source to usual food containing protein, carbs and fats, and it contains its own calories. As you drink alcohol, your body senses it in your system and turns it into your primary energy source. As you drink, you burn the alcohol as fuel. Doesn’t sound too bad, until you eat hot chips at the end of the night and all the now unnecessary calories from fat and carbs are stored as body fat. I’m not saying it’s good to eat anyway, but at least you’d usually burn some of it off as you eat it.

It could make a big difference in how you look and feel come the New Year. Stay hydrated!

2. Keep Training

Training increases your daily calorie expenditure, meaning that more of the calories you eat over Christmas will simply be burnt off. If you stay in an energy burning state you’ll get away with eating more of the wrong things, having a massive impact on how you’ll look come January. You can of course tone it down in and around the key festive days, but try to maintain your fitness and muscle structure over the season by getting to a gym when you can (and maybe doing nothing anyway).

You can leave it to have to pick up the pieces in January, or maintain your health and fitness by attending maybe 1 or 2 fitness classes a week.

3. Train like you Eat

The one thing that can be said about Christmas feasts are that they can support the growth of muscle. You should know by now that muscle is the main variable in your metabolism, so adding some muscle in December will really help you stay lean and increase your fat loss efforts significantly come January.

I wouldn’t expect everyone to take it to this extreme, but some gyms actually allow you to train on Christmas Day and offer 24-hour access during this time!

By training muscles hard and burning all their stored carbohydrates you can eat loads of chicken, turkey, ham and stuffing guilt free. The proteins contained in the meats are helping regrow the muscle fibres you've just trained. The high GI carbs in the potatoes and stuffing etc are used to replenish my lost glycogen stores, instead of hanging around the body waiting to be turned into fat. It takes any guilt out of feasting, and actually serves a purpose. It’s a Christmas Miracle.

For more tips and ideas to keep you fit this Christmas, please contact the expert contributor for this article.

It could make a big difference in how you look and feel come the New Year. Stay hydrated!

2. Keep Training

You can leave it to have to pick up the pieces in January, or maintain your health and fitness by attending maybe 1 or 2 fitness classes a week.

3. Train like you Eat

For more tips and ideas to keep you fit this Christmas, please contact the expert contributor for this article.

Pilates is a form of exercise developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. It is a physical fitness system intended to strengthen the mind and the body as Joseph Pilates believed that mental and physical health are connected. He also believes that Pilates uses the mind to control the muscles. In 1934, he discussed in his book, Your Health, about his concern with the state of kids health. He said that kids are always sitting in chairs, adults always telling them to remain quiet in one corner when they naturally need to be physically active.

Pilates have six principles namely: concentration, control, centre, flow, precision, and breathing. All of these are essential methods for Pilates to be practised effectively.

If they are not into sports, you can still ensure your kids fitness by getting them to exercise regularly. One form of exercise that will benefit their well-being is a fun fitness Pilates. Kids love imitating their parents so if they see you doing Pilates, they might be interested too.

Is Pilates for your kids?

Pilates is designed to build muscle strength, body awareness, and most of all a healthy mind. It also helps reduce stress and gives a positive outlook in life. Encouraging your kids to be physically active at a young age can develop into good health & fitness habits. Some more benefits of Pilates are as follows:

Kids as young as 2 years old can already start doing Pilates. You and your kids can attend Pilates classes together. You can enrol them to a gym for kids near you so they can be taught how to start Pilates by a trained instructor. There are some Pilates exercises for children that are easy enough to do at home if you have a mat. You can be their personal instructor or you can watch some exercise videos and try to teach the simple exercises to your kids. It is also sometimes taught in school as part of Physical Education or as a daily morning routine.

Another type of exercise for the body and the mind is yoga for kids. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline which aims to achieve spiritual serenity through meditation. You can look through our ActiveActivities Directory for a list of Pilates and yoga classes available in Australia and other tips for exercising and other activities for kids.

Medical studies have proven that Pilates and yoga are also recommended for kids with physical and mental disabilities like autism, ADD/ADHD, and Down's syndrome. Practising these methods will help them be calm as well as develop concentration skills.

Along with Pilates, your kids also need to be physically active by engaging into sports and other kids activities. Do remember that Pilates is just a means, not an end; practising Pilates can help your kids become physically and mentally prepared for other activities. Encourage them to start Pilates!

Pilates have six principles namely: concentration, control, centre, flow, precision, and breathing. All of these are essential methods for Pilates to be practised effectively.

Is Pilates for your kids?

1. Practicing yoga keeps us healthy – OK, there are no surprises there. It’s not just physical health. Practicing asana (yoga poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) provides clarity of mind as well as keeping us fit.

2. Kids can feel uneasy or anxious during different stages of their lives. Through their practice of yoga they learn to remove fear, replacing it with contentment and this enables them to learn and grow through life’s experiences.

3. Yoga develops focus and concentration and this leads to kids looking after themselves. They pay more attention to areas such as their body posture and eating habits and this creates healthy kids. It also fosters determination to reach goals and this helps them to be the best version of themselves at home, school and in clubs.

4. Negative self-talk is present even in kids. Giving children dedicated time in a safe and nurturing environment allows them to reflect on themselves and release those self-destructive tendencies. It builds self-compassion and inner strength.

Kid’s yoga classes are becoming more accessible through childcare centres and schools running programs. Many yoga studios also offer regular kids classes. There are plenty of kid’s yoga teachers out there who, just like me, would love to share this wonderful gift of yoga with you and your family.

For more information about why your child should learn yoga, please contact the expert contributor.

Yoga originated in India and comprises meditation and breathing along with a series of body positions to help focus and calm the mind. It is also a great way to get fit and improve your kids’ posture!

Will Your Kids Enjoy Doing Yoga?

Do your kids spend too much time slumped on the lounge? Are they stressed, anxious or hyperactive? They might benefit from trying yoga.

Practicing yoga postures is believed to have a number of positive effects on kids including:

Kids of any age can try yoga!
There are even yoga classes for babies so whatever age your child is, there’s no excuse not to give it a try. Children who prefer activities that are more ‘rough and tumble’ might prefer a sport but Yoga is already quite physically demanding, and will make your child sweat a lot (do not forget to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated before a yoga class).

How Can You Organise Yoga Lessons and Events for Your Kids?

Kids yoga classes are available all over Australia. Check in our ActiveActivities Directory to find your closest yoga school. A yoga class will usually cost around $10-$20 per session and often run during school term times. Book early to make sure your child doesn’t miss out!

What should your child wear for a yoga class?
Comfortable loose fitting clothing is ideal. Make sure long hair is tied back and don’t worry on shoes as yoga is done in bare feet. Your child might need their own mat or you may be able to hire one from your yoga school.

If you can’t find a good yoga school in your area, your child might enjoy similar kids activities like meditation, or other posture based activities like tai chi which can also have beneficial effects and may help kids to calm down and focus their minds. For anxious kids, yoga can almost be a form of therapy, teaching them techniques to handle their anxieties and improve their self-confidence.
For calmer, more serene kids, give yoga a try!

Will Your Kids Enjoy Doing Yoga?

Do your kids spend too much time slumped on the lounge? Are they stressed, anxious or hyperactive? They might benefit from trying yoga.

Practicing yoga postures is believed to have a number of positive effects on kids including:

How Can You Organise Yoga Lessons and Events for Your Kids?

Jump rope or skipping rope for kids is a simple, yet effective way to get your children into aerobics. Rope skipping for kids is done by jumping over a passing single rope under your feet and over your head. This can be done solo or with a group, and can be used with single or double ropes. Skipping rope is excellent for your children and is also a great way to promote health and fitness for kids in Australia. Aside from strengthening their endurance and stamina, skipping rope also helps in improving your children’s rhythm and coordination. Your kids can also play games using the jump rope to create a better group dynamic with other children. This makes rope skipping for kids a great social activity for your children.

Why is Rope Skipping a great activity for your kids?

Why is rope skipping one of the healthiest kids activities in Australia? There are many benefits to encouraging your children to play skipping rope. Aside from it being one of the simplest and cheapest sports for kids that only require a jump rope that is available at any toy or sports store, rope skipping for kids can also be fun and interesting. There are many skipping rope tricks that your kids can learn while playing.

Skipping rope songs are usually nursery rhymes being used for their rhythm. Original skipping rope songs are usually repetitive and will recite lyrics that are in forms of lists such as Cinderella, Banana Banana, Baby in the High Chair, Teddy Bear and Mary and Johnny. Skipping rope songs and games can make the activity even more interesting for kids whether they play it alone or they play it with other children. While having fun, you won’t even notice the benefits that your children will be reaping from playing rope skipping for kids –making it one of the top kids activities in Australia.

Get Your Kids to Start Rope Skipping!

Where can you find venues for your children to develop their skill in rope skipping? In Australia, there are several organisations and groups that promote athletic jump rope and rope skipping for kids. This is to promote healthy lifestyles to children as early as toddlers, and to endorse skipping rope as a great way to introduce sports for kids.

Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart is a known organisation that organises events and competitions through the help of schools to attract participants all over the country.

Basic exercise with skipping ropes can be challenging if you change the rope length and more ropes or people are added to the mix. The shorter the length of your rope, the faster the rope will pass over your head and under your feet that can add variety to your kids’ jump rope skipping exercises. Adding more ropes and more people can build a team that can create a dance routine using jump ropes. Australia has an organisation called "Skipping Australia” that trains people of all ages to train for athletic skipping rope for kids. They are affiliated with 5 more countries that all meet for competitions within the year.

Skipping rope clubs can be found all over the country. The major areas of organisations are Queensland and New South Wales. But with the simplicity of skipping rope, requiring only a rope to be able for kids to play it is what makes it one of the most popular activities for kids in Australia. But if you think that skipping rope for kids is not a good sport for your very energetic child, then you can check our ActiveActivities Directory to introduce another fun activity for your child such as footy or hockey.

Why is Rope Skipping a great activity for your kids?

Get Your Kids to Start Rope Skipping!

Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart is a known organisation that organises events and competitions through the help of schools to attract participants all over the country.

If a child finds it hard to exhale they can practice upper back bends and chest opening poses such as Cow, Cobra or Bow. (You can find demonstrations for how to correctly do each pose on YouTube.)

For children who find it harder to inhale, forward bends and lower back bends such as Downward-Facing Dog, Bridge or Bound Angel pose may be beneficial.

Inversions are a great way to shift excess mucus from the lungs and balance out the immune system; they’re also fun to do. Most age groups can practice Supported Shoulderstand or Legs Up The Wall. Both Downward-Facing Dog and Bridge pose are inversion too.

The Three Part Breath or Dirga Pranayama teaches children to breathe into the three parts of their abdomen; the belly, chest and throat. This controlled breathing technique regulates and deepens the breath enabling more oxygen to get into the body. The muscles in the lungs can become stronger and it stabilizes the nervous system.

Psychologically, practicing yoga and mindfulness can assist children to manage their feelings and emotions, helping to reduce anxiety. They build awareness of their body and learn to pick up early warning signs of asthma flaring up.

Many children can feel self-conscious about using their inhaler in front of others. Yoga develops an openness to accept ourselves as we are. Self-compassion is developed, confidence grows and the impact of asthma on social wellbeing is reduced.

If you have a child with asthma and would like to start a regular yoga and mindfulness practice, please seek medical advice first.

For more information about how yoga can help kids with asthma, please contact the expert contributor.

If a child finds it hard to exhale they can practice upper back bends and chest opening poses such as Cow, Cobra or Bow. (You can find demonstrations for how to correctly do each pose on YouTube.)

For children who find it harder to inhale, forward bends and lower back bends such as Downward-Facing Dog, Bridge or Bound Angel pose may be beneficial.

If you have a child with asthma and would like to start a regular yoga and mindfulness practice, please seek medical advice first.

For more information about how yoga can help kids with asthma, please contact the expert contributor.

Practice of kindness At the heart of yoga is loving-kindness towards ourselves, others and the world around us. One of my favorite class activities is the loving-kindness meditation. The kids send their loving-kindness out into the world, to those they love and those they don’t. This kind of awareness helps build positive relationships with others. It also avoids unintentional hurtful comments that could be seen as bullying. Cultivating self-belief The learning curve at Primary School for many is steep. It can be easy for children to lose confidence during this time. In kids yoga we practice balancing poses. When kids are learning them they fall over – a lot. Yoga teaches kids that it is OK to make mistakes; it’s how we learn and grow. Kids who practice yoga become resilient; they connect with their inner strength and know they can achieve their goals through patience and perseverance. Managing emotions Starting school is a big milestone. For some it can be scary. For others it can be frustrating when they can’t always do what they want to do.

Yoga helps kids to identify their emotions. We practice breathing techniques that calm the mind. They understand that emotions will come and go and they can control how they respond when a strong emotion comes calling. Kid’s yoga increases emotional self-regulation. Connecting with others Some kids will be going to a school where they don’t know anyone. Kids yoga builds confidence, it also celebrates the differences between people. Through partner and group work kids develop trust in one another. When we create group human mandala’s, the kids support each other to create the shape. They become non-judgmental and accepting of the limitations of others. They gain a sense of achievement through supporting each other and working together. Kids yoga classes can do much more for school readiness than create a strong body to carry an enormous school bag. It is wonderful to see so many preschools adding yoga to their curriculum.

Many Primary Schools also see the benefits of kids yoga and have classes available during and outside school hours. By offering a blend of academic and socio-emotional skills we give our children the best possible start in this new chapter in their lives.

For more information about how yoga can help your child prepare for school, contact the expert contributor.

Kids can bounce, stretch and jump their way to fitness!

Physical culture is one of the most popular kids activities in Australia. Primarily an activity for girls in this country, it’s a fun fitness method involving dance, stretching, posing and choreography. Your kids could even find themselves competing at a national level!

Is physical culture for your kid(s)?

Do your kids love to dance? If they are always bouncing about, singing and copying their favourite video stars, they might love to join a physical culture club. Also known as “physie”, this popular kids and young women’s activity combines ballet, gymnastics, jazz, pilates and aerobics. It’s a real melting pot of disciplines! Taking part in physical culture exercises from an early age can help develop self-confidence and will certainly support good posture and poise.

Physical culture is overwhelmingly a girls’ activity in Australia and most little girls love to dance! At around 3 or 4 when she can walk and hum along to a nursery rhyme she can have a wonderful time, making new friends and starting to get into the habit of healthy activity right away. If your little girl isn’t too happy about being away from mum, it’s always possible for you to stay and watch. Although competitions are optional, later on down the track competing can give them a great sense of achievement. Kids can compete as individuals or in teams of 8.

Get your kids to start physical culture!

Not sure where to start? Luckily there are plenty of physical culture clubs find your local physie clubs at the ActiveActivities Directory Physical culture is generally a very affordable activity, with club membership costing around $40 a year and physie lessons from around $4 upwards. Kids can take classes once or twice a week and only need a leotard or dance pants and top.. Start early and you could see your child with a national trophy!

Is physical culture for your kid(s)?

Get your kids to start physical culture!

Gymnastics is a series of routines and feats of strength performed on various equipment, utilising strength, agility, flexibility and balance. Gymnastics was developed in Ancient Greece as a form of exercise.

Then adopted by the Romans, it suffered a decline until the 19th century, whereupon it was reinstated in the 1896 Olympic Games. Australia's first Olympic participation occurred in the 1956 Melbourne games.

Is this sport for your kids?

Gymnastics lessons for kids can be enjoyed by children as young as 2 years. Kids will learn floor, beam, trampoline, vault and bar routines, with other apparatus and strength training introduced at later levels.

Performances are marked out of 10. Attaining a perfect 10 is a near impossibility, with only a handful of gymnasts able to claim this honour.

Routines range from E (easiest, able to be performed by juniors and amateurs) to A (most difficult, international standard). Routines with more A exercises have a greater scoring capacity, but are the most challenging.

Although part of a team, gymnasts largely perform alone and are judged individually, with scores contributing to team success.

Gymnastics encourages a range of development and discipline in children> and young adults. Gymnastic training teaches:

Junior gymnastics lessons are readily available through schools and clubs Australia wide. Lessons can be held weekly and charged monthly, often averaging $60 per month. Check the ActiveActivities directory to find details of your local gymnastics club

Get started

Children at lower levels need wear little clothing apart from a leotard, or shorts and t-shirt. Certain training can be performed at home, in parks or on the beach with adult supervision. At later levels, equipment needed may include:

Tips for success

Stars and events not to be missed!

Whilst there are plenty of local and international competitions, the largest event in the gymnastics calendar is the Olympic Games. Traditionally, Russian, Chinese and American teams are fierce competitors; but Australian gymnasts such as Lauren Mitchell, Allana Slater and Georgia Wheeler have achieved much success, dominating Commonwealth Games competitions since 1998.

Is this sport for your kids?

Performances are marked out of 10. Attaining a perfect 10 is a near impossibility, with only a handful of gymnasts able to claim this honour.

Although part of a team, gymnasts largely perform alone and are judged individually, with scores contributing to team success.

Gymnastics encourages a range of development and discipline in children> and young adults. Gymnastic training teaches:

Get started

Tips for success

Stars and events not to be missed!

Help your kids get in shape and enjoy a healthy lifestyle with health and fitness activities!

Health & fitness activities have become more popular in Australia in recent years. With a high rate of obesity across the country, and the efforts of government and community organisations to raise awareness of the issue, more and more parents are placing a greater emphasis on exercise and health. Health & fitness activities can help make you and your kids live longer and enjoy life more!

Are health & fitness activities for your kid(s)?

Could your kids benefit from a bit more activity? If they spend the majority of their time playing video games or watching TV or even if they like to run around outside but don’t have any structured activities, health & fitness activities could help get them moving and improve their general health. There are a vast number of different health & fitness activities for your child to choose from including:

Even if your child is not keen on physical activities, it’s a good idea to find some health & fitness activities for them to do. There are numerous benefits of physical activity for children including:

If your child is competitive they will probably enjoy playing a sport, whereas if they are more the artistic or creative type they might like dancing or other movement based kids activities. Nature loving types will probably enjoy outdoor health & fitness activities like hiking or mountain biking and beach loving kids will love swimming or beach volleyball. With so many different health & fitness activities on offer, your child is bound to find something they enjoy and where they can meet other kids with similar interests.

Get your kids to start health & fitness activities!

Are you looking for health & fitness activities your child might enjoy? Why not start with our ActiveActivities Directory y to find different kids activities in your area. Whether you want to get your child into a sport, or just want to promote their general health, activity in all its forms can help your child lead a fuller, healthier and longer life!

Help your kids get in shape and enjoy a healthy lifestyle with health and fitness activities!

Are health & fitness activities for your kid(s)?

Get your kids to start health & fitness activities!

Tai Chi is (or T'ai-chi Ch'uan) an ancient Chinese martial art which dates back to the 6th Century BC. It is practised by people of all ages for self-defence training as well as for its health improvement. Tai Chi is an internal martial art, focusing the mind on Tai Chi movements that helps bring about mental calmness and clarity. It is also a good form of stress management.

Is Tai Chi a great activity for you kids?

Health and fitness for kids is a great concern among parents. It is important that parents get their children engaged in activities for kids that will not only benefit their physical health, but also their mental wellbeing. Active and healthy kids are happy kids. Tai Chi for kids can give your toddlers the health and fitness benefits they need!

Tai Chi movements are characterised by use of force through the joints based on relaxation and coordination, instead of muscular tension. The movements help open the internal circulation. Tai Chi involves three aspects: health, meditation, martial art.

Some tai chi workshops that are targeted especially for children simplify some Tai Chi movements so that they?re easier to follow. Traditional forms of tai chi can be more challenging, but as your kid begins to learn and experience more about how Tai Chi is done, he or she can advance to doing more advanced forms of the activity.

There are many different styles of Tai Chi, like Cheng Man-ch'ing, Yang, Wu, and Temple. Give your child a try in a introductory class, and you'll see what will work for you and for your children the best. Some classes are focused more on using Tai Chi as an exercise, while other classes are focused more on Tai Chi as a martial art.

Get Your Kids to Start Doing Tai Chi!

Always check your Tai Chi master?s references to know about his or her background. Some instructors can provide certifications for their skills.

Tai Chi for kids can help discipline your toddlers? minds, build strength, and maintain flexibility. It is also a great way to channel your kids? energy, and an effective outlet for their stress and frustrations. Tai Chi is an activity that provides all the benefits that most external martial arts and sports do not provide.

The best time to practice Tai Chi is in the morning, right after waking up. It will wake the muscles and start the energy flowing throughout your body. Certain tai chi movements like the ?energy ball" are also good before sleeping so that the body can relax and sleep easier.

Is Tai Chi a great activity for you kids?

Get Your Kids to Start Doing Tai Chi!

Always check your Tai Chi master?s references to know about his or her background. Some instructors can provide certifications for their skills.

1. Finger breathing –Ask your child to hold their right hand up and spread their fingers wide. Take the index finger of the left hand and put it on the side of the right hand thumb. As your child breathes in, run the left index finger up the edge of the right thumb. As your child breathes out, run the index finger down the inside edge of the thumb. With each breath continue up and down the fingers until they reach the bottom of the little finger. Five long full breaths will clear most emotions. If it doesn’t, you can always do the same on the other hand.

2. Candle breathing – Your child holds up their finger pretending it is a candle on their birthday cake. Ask your child to slowly blow the candle out. Do this 5 times or more.

3. Hand breathing – Ask your child to rub their hands together vigorously until they feel heat between them. As they breathe in and fill their bellies with air, ask your child to widen the space between their hands. The space between their hands may become as wide as their shoulders. As they breathe in, ask your child to bring their hands back together. Repeat this five times or until your child is calm again.

Conscious breathing is just one part of yoga. Children’s yoga is becoming more popular as parents, carers and teachers recognize the physical, emotional and mental benefits it brings.

Our children are growing up in a fast paced world that will challenge them in every way. It will be tough for them, but they are fortunate because we can share a most valuable gift, one that will give them the tools not just to survive but to thrive – the practice of yoga.

For more information about teaching your child yoga, please contact the expert contributor.

2. Candle breathing – Your child holds up their finger pretending it is a candle on their birthday cake. Ask your child to slowly blow the candle out. Do this 5 times or more.

Conscious breathing is just one part of yoga. Children’s yoga is becoming more popular as parents, carers and teachers recognize the physical, emotional and mental benefits it brings.

For more information about teaching your child yoga, please contact the expert contributor.

Let your kids tap in to the power of their mind with meditation!
Meditation is a form of spiritual and psychological practice which is often used as a way of focusing the mind within. It is widely practised in Australia in many different forms. Learning meditation can equip your child with valuable skills that may last them a lifetime!

Is meditation for your kid(s)?

Do your children suffer from stress or anxiety? Do they have difficulty controlling their emotions? Are their thoughts all over the place or do they find it difficult to focus or concentrate? Or do they just want to find a way to wind down? Meditation might be a great way to help them learn mindfulness and serenity as well as providing them with a way to relax and improve their concentration.

Although often associated with Zen practice or other forms of spirituality, including yoga and Indian based philosophies; meditation is actually a fairly widely used technique for calming the mind, reducing stress and helping to promote general health and wellness.

Meditation for kids is believed to have a number of potential benefits including:

Not ready to send your child on that Buddhist retreat just yet? Even if you’re not sure meditation is for your child, it’s easy and cheap enough to try a first session and even very young kids might sit still and listen to a five minute guided meditation. Meditation centres might even offer an introductory class at a very low price just for you to see how your kids go, so do not hesitate to ask for such discounts.

There are a number of different forms of meditation your child can try including meditation to music and moving meditation. Other great kids activities that offer similar benefits include yoga and some forms of martial art like Tai Chi.

Get your kids to start meditation!

Are you looking for an easy way for your kids to try meditation? There are plenty of options for classes and other meditation-based activities for kids Search for venues , information or ideas on our ActiveActivities Directory .

Meditation is a very cheap kids activity with kids classes at a meditation centre starting from as little as $3 an hour.

Once you have some basic techniques, meditation can be done anywhere,anytime and requires nothing but your mind!

Is meditation for your kid(s)?

Meditation for kids is believed to have a number of potential benefits including:

Get your kids to start meditation!

Meditation is a very cheap kids activity with kids classes at a meditation centre starting from as little as $3 an hour.

Once you have some basic techniques, meditation can be done anywhere,anytime and requires nothing but your mind!

Together breathe as one. Start in the hands and knees position with your little yogi under you in the same pose. As you both breathe in round the back and the shoulders, dropping the head (Cat). As you breathe out, slowly drop the belly and lift the head (Cow). Repeat this movement for five breaths. This moving meditation warms the back up and provides a beautiful connection between parent and child as you move together.

This wonderful poses stretches the spine, shoulders and hips and can help release stress. It takes a bit of coordination. Sit crossed legged facing each other. Place your left hand on your child’s left knee and help your child do the same to you. Place your right hands behind your backs around your waists and reach for the hand that is on the knee of the other person. Breathe in and both sit up tall, straightening the back and turning the head to the left. Stay here for three full breaths.

Get ready to wobble. Stand next to each other with your arms around each other. Place the heal of your outer foot onto the ankle of the inner foot and stretch your outer arm parallel to the ground. If you are stable, challenge yourselves by lifting the foot up your leg, making sure you don’t rest it on the knee joint. Stay here for three breaths. This hugging yoga pose increases balance, focus and builds trust between you and your child.

You’ll know this one. Start on your hands and knees, take a breath in and straighten your legs coming into the Downdog position. Your little yogi then places their hands about a hands length in front of yours and then steps their legs up onto your back. Stay here for five breaths or as long as you can hold it. This awesome power pose strengthens just about all areas of the body. There will be plenty of laughs whilst attempting this pose, it’s almost impossible not to smile when you are upside down.

Time to slow down. Kneeling on the floor with knees wide, run your hands along the mat until they are fully extended and lower your head. Your little yogi lies along your spine, with legs stretched long and arms out to the side. Lying back to back your breathing will sync. Take five long breaths and feel your bodies moving together as one.

The key to successful partner poses is patience. Give lots of praise and clear communication. Kids have wonderful imaginations so if your little yogi wants to give a variation, let them lead the way and see how creative your practice becomes. Have a go and see what happens….

“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

For more information about fun partner yoga poses to do with your kids, please contact the expert contributor.

“It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

For more information about fun partner yoga poses to do with your kids, please contact the expert contributor.

Calisthenics is a series of movements often set to music and sometimes using equipment. Kids that enjoy, sport, music, dance, acting, gymnastics, marching or just having fun in a team environment all love calisthenics. A great kids activity designed to improve kids fitness and agility!

Will Your Kids Enjoy Doing Calisthenics?

Does your son or daughter love to move? If they are always on the go and like music they might love this activity.

Does your child love rough contact sports?

They might find Calisthenics a bit tame. Calisthenics is great for kids who like gentle movements and enjoy exercising in a non-competitive way. However, there a numerous callisthenics competitions available for the more competitive children. When the movements are performed with upbeat music, t callisthenics movements can be a great form of aerobic exercise.

Think calisthenics would be perfect for your child?
They can usually start around age 3 although it is important to be careful they don’t do too much strength training while their bodies are still developing as this can lead to problems later on. It’s probably best to pick a class that emphasises the creative and movement side at this age rather than making your pre-schooler do endless repetitions of pull-ups and lunges.

How Can You Organise Calisthenics Lessons for Your Kids?

Calisthenics is popular across Australia and many primary schools include it as part of their physical education curriculum or offer optional classes during lunchtime and after school. Another option is finding a calisthenics school in your area. It is a competitive sport and there are many calisthenics clubs located around the country that meet regularly during the year to perform routines at competitions. To find your closest club, check on our ActiveActivities Directory or with your state calisthenics association.

Do you want to have a go at home?
There are a number of standard exercises that form part of calisthenics training including:

Practising these at home can be a great form of aerobic exercise and a fun way for the whole family to get fitter.

Calisthenics is one of the few kids’ activities that combine dance, gymnastics and sport!

Will Your Kids Enjoy Doing Calisthenics?

Does your son or daughter love to move? If they are always on the go and like music they might love this activity.

Does your child love rough contact sports?

How Can You Organise Calisthenics Lessons for Your Kids?

Do you want to have a go at home?
There are a number of standard exercises that form part of calisthenics training including:

Practising these at home can be a great form of aerobic exercise and a fun way for the whole family to get fitter.

Calisthenics is one of the few kids’ activities that combine dance, gymnastics and sport!

But if attacked or forced to fight for your safety and for your family's safety, I don't believe that ANY rules exist. Unlike the Dojang where we operate under a set of moral codes and with honour; on the street, all those rules and codes cease to exist and your survival or the wellbeing of your loved ones should be your only concern. That's why when we practice self-defence techniques in the Dojang, sometimes it seems odd that we are talking about striking the groin or kicking the knees or striking the eyes!

On the street, every situation is different and no matter how good you are as a Martial Artist, you are out of your element in an unfamiliar situation and the assailant facing you truly wants to hurt you. So, remain aware of your situation and your surroundings, constantly assess what is going on around you, be dynamic and adaptive as things change.

For those of you (and I hope this applies to 99.9% of you) who have not been in a street fighting situation, the following are some guidelines to consider improving your odds of survival.

When confronted, do not step into a back stance with a knife hand guarding block and KIAP at your assailant! While many people believe that showing off their knowledge of Martial Arts will make their attackers panic, most likely it will escalate the situation and take away your element of surprise, that one lone attacker you were initially confronting might pick up a weapon or call more of his friends or become more aggressive now that he knows that he is facing a "Martial Arts Expert"! So, remember the "I don't want to fight" position and keep your element of surprise in your pocket.

The mentality of "I will let the assailant attack first, and I will block that attack and then counterattack" very rarely works in a street attack! The "I will NOT use any objects around me to help me defend myself" or the "I will fight fair and won't kick them in the groin or hit them when they are down", are all points that work against you in a real fight situation! When your life is on the line, being honourable will get you killed! When you are fighting for your life or to defend the life of a loved one, fighting fair means, doing everything that is possible to survive!

So once again, remember you training, strike the vital points, punch the groin, grab the testicles, poke the eyes, pull the ears, bite, kick below the belt, pick up a stick to give you advantage and range. Do whatever is needed to survive this ordeal.

Do NOT believe for a second that you have the advantage! Do not underestimate your opponent! That person facing you could be bigger than you, stronger than you, faster than you, smarter than you, he could be a 5th Dan Martial Artist or thug with a knife. So do not expect him to act or move like your Dojang training partner. The whole "he will step and punch, I will sidestep and perform a knife hand strike and the whole thing will be over" never ever works out that way. So have no expectations, your assailant will move differently to you and attack differently to you, so be ready! Remember your basics and your training. Have no expectations and there will be no disappointments!

I'm sorry to say that, but the possibility of you walking away from a street fight untouched and unscathed is very HIGHLY unlikely! You must be psychologically prepared that you will get hit, that you will be hurt. You must focus on the outcome and keep fighting through the pain. Never give up! You are fighting for your life. The good news is that your body will be pumping so much adrenaline, it probably won't hurt very much, but it works both ways! Which leads me to the next point ...

As adrenaline will be coursing through your veins and the veins of your attacker, it will be very hard to gauge your assailant's resilience and ability to withstand pain and punishment. So don't think that this whole ordeal will end with a One Hit. Once again remember your training, remember your combinations, remember how in self-defence we attack multiple areas and vital points. This is not a movie, this is real life and violence in real life is ugly, so now is not the time to be flamboyant or to show off, now is not the time to do your first spinning heal kick to the face or try new techniques you have never done before. The higher your kicks, the more easily they are to be caught and the more off balance you could be, especially if you are wearing tight fitting clothes, dresses, or skirts! So, keep your kicks low and fall back on your tried and tested drills and remember keep your guards up and your centre of balance low.

As I have first mentioned, there are no rules for self-defence and every situation is different and dynamic. Use your head (in more ways than one), be situationally aware, stay dynamic and adaptive, and I truly hope that you never have to use your Tae Kwon Do skills or self-defence techniques in real life!

For those of you (and I hope this applies to 99.9% of you) who have not been in a street fighting situation, the following are some guidelines to consider improving your odds of survival.

Kids love attention as much as they love being creative. To keep them busy and entertained, we get them engaged in activities for kids that combines both being active and being creative; and also in a way that their peers and the adults will appreciate them. Why not let them take their chances on the performing arts? Drama classes and lessons for kids can help them discover their full potential!

Are drama classes and lessons a great activity for your kids?

If your children are not that enthusiastic about sports, you can still get them to be active and develop important skills through other alternatives. An example would be drama classes and lessons for kids. Theatre for kids is where all kinds of children, shy or outgoing, can learn and develop at their own pace, in a supportive and positive environment. Through drama classes and lessons, outgoing kids can unleash their full potential being natural performers, while the shy ones can find a creative outlet for their talents.

Kids, being natural explorers, love imaginative play like playing dress up and role playing. Enrolling them to drama classes and lessons will give them opportunities to enjoy these kids activities while learning and gaining benefits at the same time. The skills that they develop through the classes and lessons are not just for the stage, but are life skills as well.

Most drama schools for kids in Australia accept toddlers and children of all ages, usually starting at four years old. The ideal teacher-student ratio for acting classes for kids is fifteen students per teacher, to provide each student with full attention and support. Drama lessons usually take place after school, or during the school holidays. You can check our ActiveActivities directory for available drama classes and lessons for kids near your area.

Drama classes and lessons are specialised in drama schools for kids. But if you want the full theatre experience for them, there are also performing art schools for kids that offer not only drama classes, but also singing classes and dancing classes.

You may be surprised of what these classes and lessons can do for your kids. Encourage creative expression! Let your kids experience the positive effects that drama classes and lessons can offer!

Are drama classes and lessons a great activity for your kids?

You may be surprised of what these classes and lessons can do for your kids. Encourage creative expression! Let your kids experience the positive effects that drama classes and lessons can offer!

Do your kids enjoy drawing and other artistic activities? Or do you want your kids to develop better creativity and to develop an affinity towards the arts? The answer lies with you local art centre. An art centre offers various art workshops and drawing classes for children in Australia. Improve your kids' artistic capacity through art classes for kids!

Why should you send your kids to an art centre?

Other than enrolling in an art centre for kids, there are a lot more activities for kids to get into, for more choices, parents can also look into youth centres that offer various activities for kids to engage in. But if you're looking for a more specific arts and crafts for kids, look up your local art centre. Here are some steps to take before enrolling children in an art centre suitable for kids.

Why should you send your kids to an art centre?

So, with that in mind, I wanted to share 6 really positive reasons that you should consider taking your kids to the Skate Park:

Like any sport, you can’t do it sitting on the couch. Action Sports gets any kid up and moving, which improves the overall health and wellbeing of any child. They also encourage the development of basic skills like coordination, balance and strength.

Most people think of sport as athletic and art/music as creative. I think Action Sports offers both. As mentioned above, it aids physical development, but the very nature of the sport encourages a level of personal creativity not offered in traditional “stick & ball” sports. There are no rules and no set way to do things. You can create your own style, invent a trick, be different to your friends and leave your own impression.

Trying a trick, working on it relentlessly, and eventually landing it is a great feeling. It's an accomplishment and helps kids develop faith in their own ability. The development is as clear as day - last week I couldn’t do that, now I can. Along with this, it teaches persistence - no one ever landed a tail-whip first go...

Like any sport, there are risks involved. But, unlike football, for example; where the risk is mostly out of your control (that other guy just decided to stomp on your head or tackle you high for example), the risks are largely within the control of the participant. You learn to start small and work your way up to things. Bit by bit, your skill set grows, and so does your tolerance for risk. No one starts off on a 10ft ramp, they start on a 2ft ramp and work their way up. By the time they use the 10ft ramp, it's no longer a huge risk, just a natural progression of what you’ve learned already.

Skateparks are social places. People like to hang out there, they like to see others progress and everyone gets stoked on each others riding. One of things we’re super proud of at Rampfest is the vibe of our park - its friendly, fun and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. If you’re new, chances are someone will say hi. If you ask for advice, 99 times out of 100 you’ll get some great tips off a total stranger, just because they’re keen to help you. You’ll make friends at the skatepark and you’ll become great friends quickly as you learn together, push each other and progress.

Overall, riding, skating or scooter-ing at the Skate Park is great FUN. And who doesn't want to get out and have more fun in their day! Maybe the parents can give it a go too... no such thing as a age limit at the Skate Park...

I hope this article has shed some light on the positives of taking your kids to the Skate Park next time. And remember, if you need some help getting started, you're always welcome to visit Rampfest!

So, with that in mind, I wanted to share 6 really positive reasons that you should consider taking your kids to the Skate Park:

I hope this article has shed some light on the positives of taking your kids to the Skate Park next time. And remember, if you need some help getting started, you're always welcome to visit Rampfest!

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