7 Fun And Sporty Activities Your Kids Will Love Doing This Fall
As we ease into cooler months, embrace the new season and all it brings for you and your family. From fun activities kids can do indoors to creating the perfect work or study space, Canadian Tire and Yahoo Canada are proud to bring you everything you need for the season.
There’s no doubt that sports are a big part of many kids’ lives — from competitive team sports like hockey (is there anything more Canadian?!) to recreational activities in gym class or after school, sports are a great way for kids to stay active and engaged, both in body and in mind.
Research shows that regular physical activity is integral to children’s development — not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Being active can help kids improve cardiovascular fitness, increase muscle and bone strength, maintain a healthy body weight and have less risk of chronic disease late in life. But it’s also proven to improve self-esteem and help alleviate anxiety and depression, as well as helping to finesse skills like teamwork and problem-solving.
While this Fall sports season definitely looks different than years past, the good news is, there are plenty of ways to keep sports alive even without a team or an expansive field.
Whether your kid(s) are flying solo or playing with siblings, we have some fun, safe and inexpensive ideas and products to keep them engaged in their favourite sports at home or in the neighbourhood.
Go on a biking adventure
Almost everyone has fond memories of biking as a kid. It’s the kind of activity that doesn’t require other players and it’s an excellent way to explore your own neighbourhood. Frankly, it’s also a heck of a lot of fun. Bikes don’t have to be terribly expensive either. Whether you’re looking for a wallet-friendly first bike or a more grown up mountain bike for older kids, Canadian Tire has tons of bikes — and accessories — to choose from.
Get hooked on a Canadian tradition
Growing up in Canada means feeling a special connection to the game of hockey. Whether your kids are well acquainted with the sport or just starting to show interest, it’s important to nurture their hobbies and curiosities. They may not be able to play with teams just yet but you can help them keep their skills sharp by practicing in the driveway or backyard with the WinnWell Steel Hockey Net. The only downside? You might end up the interim goalie and remember why you gave it up years ago!
It’s never too early to learn to dunk
Following the Toronto Raptors’ championship win, Canada finally became home to a a basketball city. Kids were certainly inspired to follow in the footsteps of their basketball heroes more than ever. Keep the momentum going this Fall by encouraging a fun neighbourhood basketball tournament by installing the Spalding Hercules Acrylic Portable Basketball System. You’ll be the neighbourhood hero with minimal effort. The system is simple to install and portable.
Sharpen your soccer skills
Without a team or a field, it may feel impossible to get a good game of soccer going for your kids. Luckily, they can continue to sharpen their soccer skills by practicing passing, dribbling and general ball handling. All you need is a soccer ball and a little room in the backyard. An optional addition? A parent or sibling to act as the opposing team! The Adidas Tango Soccer Ball is a durable choice for practicing solo or playing with the team when the time comes.
Explore the neighbourhood on a scooter
Now that the world has slowed down and we’re not rushing from place to place, take advantage of the opportunity to get out and enjoy what your neighbourhood has to offer. If walking around doesn’t appeal to your kids, they’ll definitely perk up with the mention of the Razor A5 Lux Scooter. The kid-friendly scooter comes in a variety of fun colours and folds up for easy storage. Scooter down to your local park and set up a picnic with the whole family.
Throw the ball around
It’s a simple pleasure but throwing a baseball around in the backyard can alleviate stress and be a low maintenance activity to keep your kids active and engaged in some form of sport. Parents can join in too and the only items you need are gloves and a baseball. Youth and beginners will thrive with the Rawlings Players Series Baseball Glove, which features a Basket Web Pattern making it flexible and easy to learn with.
Go virtual
If you’re a team sports fan, obviously things are going to look a bit different this year — but you can still use the base learnings from many team sports as great conditioning exercises. A quick Google search will result in hundreds of YouTube videos or virtual classes where your kids can perfect a new dribbling or stick-handling technique.
Regardless of your preferred sport, get all the equipment you need at Canadian Tire.
Pro tip? Set a laptop up (at a safe distance) outside so kids can practice in a more realistic space. If you need a signal boost, we suggest investing in a range extender.
