Recommend great physical activities for the kids?
The little folk loves some good activity - running around the park, some team sports, maybe swimming or gymanastics? We recently received a request for recommendations:
My spouse & I recently became the guardians of our niece (8) and nephew (6). Though it's a huge adjustment, so far things are going well. My question is this: the hubster and I are fairly quiet, bookish people, and while the kids love reading with us, they are *really* physical/performance oriented: dancing, singing, running, etc. So we really need some suggestions for classes, games or other things that really play to their strengths.
All the Portland Community Centers have great classes that are inexpensive. I recommend starting there. We have been very happy with the variety to choose from and the instruction. Did I mention how cheap the classes are? :) We have found that for most things we get what we need here, there are some classes that we "try" at the community center and if they stick (kids can be fickle) we upgrade to a more specialized place....
Posted by: sharonk | July 04, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Can I also recommend all the free stuff going on through Parks & Rec this summer? You don't mention your neighborhood, but many parks have free, daily, drop-in (not childcare) activities, games, and lunches, typically staffed by teens. They have sports equipment and board games.
There is also the playground on wheels program, rotating at various parks.
Some rec centers--like Dishman--have free daily indoor activities.
There are open play swims and family swims at various indoor and outdoor pools, and alternating pools have free admission, depending on the day and time.
Pick up a parks and rec brochure at any center and read it cover to cover!
Posted by: NinaNina | July 04, 2007 at 10:48 AM
Turn them on to rock climbing. You can sit and watch, even read while they are climbing away.
Check out the Portland Rock Gym or the Ciruit Bouldering Gym. My son loves it.
Posted by: lilah | July 04, 2007 at 11:12 AM
it books up in advance and it's not cheap, but they sound perfect for Do Jump! http://dojump.org/ -- they have classes in dramatic acrobatics (think gymnastics + acting), on 37th and Hawthorne.
my son Everett takes ballet at OBT (www.obt.org). the classes for very young students (the 6-year-old would be eligible for pre-ballet) are more expression and theory than strict ballet. they're also quite expensive and you have to commit to the whole year, but as we pay for nothing else it's worth it.
most of the elementary school students I know also do soccer year-round -- I'm not sure which program but I'm sure someone else can pipe in :)
Posted by: sarah gilbert | July 04, 2007 at 11:56 AM
I highly recommend The Little Gym in Lake Oswgo, if you aren't too far away. They have really great Gymnastics, Dance, and Karate classes. My daughter loves the place, and so do I.
Posted by: Diane | July 05, 2007 at 10:16 AM
We have had great experiences with Westside Dance and Gymnastics, although it is certainly not as economical as community center options. If your kids thrive on a lot of physcial activity, there is a price break after the first three classes a family takes during the same term. There are performance opportunities, too.
Also just enrolled my daughter in ice skating lessons at Lloyd Center for the summer. If your kids like it, it's a fairly good deal because it includes free admission to all free-skate sessions (but you still pay $2.50 for skate rental) and three free passes for friends to join you.
Best wishes!
Posted by: Juliette | July 05, 2007 at 10:38 AM
look in the archives here for dayhikes. Always a great way to get energy expended as well as a nice way to spend some quality time together. Pack a lunch and make it a picnic day, and give each kid a disposable camera and watch them become avid nature photographers in front of your very eyes!
Posted by: Laura S. | July 05, 2007 at 12:17 PM
This isn't a class or paid activity, but I just read a GREAT idea for a summertime game!
supplies: box of alka seltzer tablets, string, drill, squirt guns or water toys
-drill small holes in the center of alka seltzer tablets.
-thread one tablet (or tablets!) onto a string long enough to be a "necklace"
-tie the necklaces on the kids and grownups alike!
-play alka seltzer tag! run around the yard splashing/squirting each other - the last one to have a tablet on their string is the "winner"
I thought this sounded like such a blast - and the alka seltzer web site even has information on science projects you can do with their product. Informative, silly, and a great way to cool off all at once.
You might also consider getting them involved in gardening or cooking with you - something physical/tactile that also gets them involved in the infrastructure of family life. Good luck, sounds like a big adjustment!
Posted by: Amy | July 05, 2007 at 01:43 PM
My kids 12, 8 and 1 (well the older ones) have always been involved in sports. YOu don't have to be a jock to enjoy. Your local little league organization offers scholorships if you can't pay and they are a great positive experience for kids. It should be anyway....soccer and portland parks offers basketball which is really inexpensive. All of these sports basically keeps them busy all year for each season. I think Portland Parks also offers individual programs for tumbling and swimming, dance or whatever! Definately get them involved. I think it's important and creates a lifelong habit of moving your body! In my experience, kids that are involved in something tend to do better socially, physically and educationally than kids who are not.
Posted by: Tara | July 06, 2007 at 09:17 PM
How about let your kids engaged into ball games for boys, it will not just developed their physical strength but also team work and camaraderie. its also nice to get them into any swimming class.
Posted by: mma gear | March 01, 2011 at 08:40 PM
I am not sure where you are located, but there is a really good farm camp out in Boring. The children have the opportunity to explore the farm, pond, play in the huge sandbox, go for hikes... It's really great. Last year I my daughter and had a blast (and she can't wait to go again this year). Check them out: www.inachildspathfarm.com.
Posted by: Susie | May 25, 2012 at 03:32 PM