Being a mom is one of the most rewarding things any woman can go through, but it’s also one of the most challenging. From the moment your kids are born, you’re responsible for their safety, well-being, and happiness. And as they grow older, it can be tough to find time to bond with them—especially if we’re working full-time or taking care of the house.
But it’s important to make time for physical activity together. Not only is it great for our health, but it’s also a great way to bond with our kids. Here are five fun physical activities that moms and their kids can enjoy together
Hiking
Hiking is another great activity for families because it gets everyone outside and active. And there are trails of all different difficulty levels, so you can find one that’s perfect for your family. Hiking is also a great way to explore new places together and bond as a family.
When choosing a trail, it’s important that you choose a trail that you know your kids can handle. Here are the most family-friendly trails for hiking, which kids of all ages can go through:
- Upper Gorge Trail, Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca, New York
- Lily Marsh Trail, Ponderosa State Park, McCall, Idaho
- Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Yosemite National Park
- Riverside Walk, Zion National Park, Utah
Apart from the many varied health benefits, hiking is a great opportunity to teach your kids about nature and the importance of the environment.
Ballroom Dancing
What better way to bond with your child than by learning how to ballroom dance together? It’s a great way to get some exercise, and you’ll both have a lot of fun in the process. You can even take some dance classes together and compete in local competitions, or if you already know how, you can enroll them in ballroom classes for children and watch them perform. Then, you can have your own practice sessions at home!
Ballroom dancing may be more popular among girls, but don’t let that stop you from encouraging your son to do it! After all, ballroom dancing has a lot of health benefits, like improved coordination, flexibility, stamina, and muscle strength.
Skiing
Skiing is a great activity for families because it’s something that everyone can enjoy together. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert—there are always slopes that are suitable for your skill level. Plus, skiing is a great way to get some fresh air and spend time outdoors together.
You and your child will need some special equipment to ski. You’ll need skis, poles, and boots. You’ll also need a helmet and goggles to keep snow and small pieces of debris from hitting you on the head or getting in your eyes. Apart from these, make sure you wear appropriately thick winter clothing.
If you don’t have any idea where to go, here’s a list of CNN’s most highly recommended places:
- Beaver Creek, Colorado
- Copper Mountain, Colorado
- Keystone Resort, Colorado
- Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado
- Park City Mountain Resort, Utah
- Okemo Mountain Resort, Vermont
- Smugglers’ Notch Resort, Vermont
- Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
- Whiteface Mountain, New York
Parasailing
Looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity? Parasailing will surely get your hearts pumping!
In parasailing, you get strapped onto a seat with a parachute, which gets dragged behind a boat with a thick line of rope or cord. As the parachute catches air, it gets pulled up, taking you along with it to the sky!
Many parasailing setups allow two to three people to join the ride. It’s exhilarating and scary at first, but after some time up in the air, the breathtaking views can put you in a mode of total zen. Take this chance to fly in the sky for an intimate and exciting moment of mom-and-child bonding. Just make sure you’re both properly strapped in before taking off!
Cycling
Cycling is a great way to get some exercise while spending time together as a family. You can cycle around your neighborhood or explore new trails together. And if you have younger children, they can ride along in a trailer or on bike seats attached to your bike.
You can go cycling almost anywhere, but if you’re going to let your child ride their own bike, make sure to choose a path that isn’t full of traffic. Make sure that you always know where they are, too. For added safety, you should get them some sturdy safety equipment like a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. You can even throw in a helmet-attached communicator or a Bluetooth headset so that they can immediately call you for help if something happens
Final Thoughts
So, whether you and your child are into skiing, dancing, cycling, or parasailing, there’s definitely an activity out there for the two of you to do together. These are just a few suggestions to get you started—there are plenty of other activities that you can enjoy together. What’s important is that you take the time to bond with your child and have some fun memories together. Make sure to put these activities on your calendar so that you can start planning now!
