When the weather turns, it can be harder to keep young children moving. The mornings feel colder, the ground gets wetter and family life gets busier as we move towards winter.
The good news is that active play does not need to be complicated. Young children do not need perfect conditions, expensive equipment or long sessions. They need simple opportunities to move, explore, copy, laugh and try again.
Here are five simple ways to help young children stay active when the weather changes.
## 1. Create a mini obstacle course
You can make a simple indoor obstacle course using cushions, soft toys, cones, tape or safe household objects.
Children can step over, crawl around, balance, jump, collect objects or move a ball from one place to another. Keep it short, safe and playful. The aim is not to make it difficult. The aim is to get children moving and solving little movement challenges.
Obstacle-style play is brilliant for balance, coordination and confidence.
## 2. Play soft ball games indoors
A soft ball can be used in lots of simple ways at home:
– Roll it to a target
– Pass it between two people
– Dribble slowly around cushions
– Stop it with a foot
– Kick it gently into a laundry basket or between two markers
For toddlers and preschool children, these little games are not just football practice. They are helping with body control, focus, timing and confidence.
## 3. Turn movement into imagination
Children often move more naturally when there is a story attached.
Can they tiptoe past a sleeping dragon? Jump over muddy puddles? Deliver treasure to a castle? Move like a tiger through the jungle? Blast off like a rocket?
This is exactly why Mini Footy uses imaginative themes. Children often forget they are practising skills because they are busy enjoying the adventure.
## 4. Use music and movement
A quick song, dance or movement game can change the energy of the day.
Try asking your child to move in different ways:
– Slow like a robot
– Fast like a superhero
– Quiet like a mouse
– Tall like a giraffe
– Low like a crab
These games are simple, but they help children explore speed, balance, rhythm, coordination and listening.
## 5. Keep a weekly active routine
When the weather changes, routines can really help. A regular weekly class gives children something familiar to look forward to and gives parents one active session already built into the week.
At Mini Footy, our autumn and winter sessions give young children a warm, friendly and structured way to stay active indoors.
Through imaginative football games, children build confidence, coordination, teamwork, listening skills and friendships, all while having fun.
## Join us indoors this autumn
Mini Footy sessions are now running indoors at Trull, North Petherton and Taunton.
There are spaces available in selected classes, including Trull on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 with Coach Dave.
Book a taster at:
Click Find a Class and choose your nearest venue.