Jump Gymnastics #365DaysOfPlay (+Contest!)

Chucking a ball outside the Mount Pleasant Family Centre

I'm sure you know, if you're a parent, that kids need to play & use up some of their prodigious energy every day. According to Participaction, 91% of parents in British Columbia say they plan to make physical activity a priority for their children this year. But do you know exactly how much physical activity your kids are supposed to get?

Participaction recommends:

• Babies under a year should be active several times a day, particularly through interactive floor-based play.
• Kids 1-4 should accumulate at least 180 minutes of physical activity at any intensity spread throughout the day, including a variety of activities in different environments & activities that develop movement skills, with a progression toward at least 60 minutes of energetic play by age 5.
• Children aged 5-11 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily, including vigorous-intensity activities at least 3 days per week as well as activities that strengthen muscle & bone at least 3 days a week.
• Youth 12-17 years old should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This should include vigorous-intensity activities at least 3 days a week & activities that strengthen muscle & bone at least 3 days per week.

(visit the Participaction website for more details & info on adult recommendations too)

Some days, if you just don't want to go out in the chilly rain or snow, it's hard to figure out how to keep kids active. If you're running out of ideas, I've got some inspiration for you: #365DaysOfPlay. Jump Gymnastics is posting an active play idea every day this year. Check Jump's Facebook & Twitter feeds to see what they've come up with so far. 

If you're not yet familiar with Jump Gymnastics they have two locations in Yaletown & North Vancouver & they're all about using developmental, non-competitive gymnastics to foster self-confidence, self-esteem & body awareness in young children. As experts agree that unstructured play is as important, if not more so, than structured play, Jennifer & the Jump team have created #365DaysofPlay.

Our #365DaysofPlay tips and ideas come from Jennifer, Jump's coaches, local experts such as Traci Costa the founder of Peekaboo Beans, Nathan Rehorick who does all the youth programming at The Hive, & Jennae Gedeon, the Physical Literacy & Nature Exploration Coordinator from Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, Jump families &, we're hoping, you! Share your ideas on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtag #365DaysOfPlay to inspire other families to be more active. 

CONTEST ALERT! If you'd like to do even more sharing you can share your play tips with Jump Gymnastics for a chance to win a Jump Play Pass (valued at $50). If they use one of your ideas you'll also be entered in a draw for a $100 gift certificate to Peekaboo Beans. It's easy to send your play tip via this handy form! Get your ideas in by midnight on February 26th to be entered into the draws.

Here's more about #365DaysofPlay from the Jump blog. Facebook & Twitter pages daily, as well as Instagram & Pinterest, or just search the hashtag #365DaysofPlay!

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