Winter can be the hardest time of year to fit in enough physical activity. While your kids are home from school on winter break, why not join The 12 Days of Winter Challenge? Each day you will do a different movement that builds upon the previous day's activity, leading up to the final 12th day. Get everyone involved as a fun way to stay active during the winter!
So, we're going to start with the poem, "The 12 Days of Winter!" Remember, do these one day at a time. Today you will do the first day of winter, then tomorrow you will do days one and two, and so on!
On the first day of winter,
My friend invited me
To Jump high and slap my two knees!
(Repeat a few times.)
On the second day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do two touch-your-toes
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the third day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the fourth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the fifth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the sixth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the seventh day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the eighth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do eight two-foot hops,
Seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the ninth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do nine ankle touches,
Eight two-foot hops,
Seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the tenth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do ten jumping jacks,
Nine ankle touches,
Eight two-foot hops,
Seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the eleventh day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do eleven arm circles,
Ten jumping jacks,
Nine ankle touches,
Eight two-foot hops,
Seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
On the twelfth day of winter,
My friend invited me
To do twelve hand claps,
Eleven arm circles,
Ten jumping jacks,
Nine ankle touches,
Eight two-foot hops,
Seven side stretches,
Six elbow-knee bumps,
Five jump and spins,
Four one-leg hops,
Three silly waddles,
Two touch-your-toes,
And to jump high and slap my two knees!
Now that you have been physically active for 12 days it will make it easier to continue to make time for movement activities during the winter months. Change out the activities and create your own 12 Days of Winter Challenge for your family to enjoy together. Try other ways to get outside and have some fun by taking part in other activities like sledding, ice skating, taking a walk, or creating a scavenger hunt. The important thing to remember is to keep active and have fun.
Regular physical activity is helpful for:
- your memory and brain function
- protection against many chronic diseases
- aiding in weight management
- lowering blood pressure and improve heart health
- improving your ability to sleep better
- reducing feelings of anxiety and depression
- improving joint pain and stiffness
- helping maintain muscle strength and balance
Choose to move more for better health throughout your life span!
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