Follow the Lights for an Active Holiday Walk

We look forward to seeing everyone's holiday lights and decorations every year. You may remember back in the spring of 2020 when many families posted rainbows in their windows. Window walks became a novel way to add excitement to a neighbourhood stroll. Hundreds of families set out on rainbow walks, shamrock or easter egg scavenger hunts to see how many they could find. It was a community gesture to add some sparkle into the lives of children during this stressful time. The best part? It motivated kids to get outside!

This time of year, we know how hard it can be to encourage the kids to go outside, especially when it's cold out. A goal or theme for a walk will help motivate and excite them. That's why we're proposing a #HolidayLightsWalk for December. 

1. Bundle up!
2. Head outside in the neighbourhood to check out the lights. Be sure to follow public health measures regarding social distancing if you're going with someone outside your household.
3. Look for Santa decorations, reindeer, lights of all different colours. See who can find the tallest tree that's decorated.
4. End off with some hot chocolate and talk about your favourite decorations.

It's going to be a long month, and you're probably looking for more than one way to keep your family walks interesting. Here are some variations to try for your #HolidayLightsWalk.

1. Make it an animal walk. Select a different animal every few houses and have the whole family try to walk like that animal. Frog hops and donkey kicks. This article by the CBC has got them all. 
2. Make it technology-free and try to take mental pictures instead!
3. This Christmas Lights Bingo game is the perfect little boost to get your family moving and to walk off any holiday stress.
4. Head out more than once and go in the opposite direction as last time. Better yet, let your children guide the way (safely, of course)
5. Try to find a different house for each colour in the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple).
6. Make it a scavenger hunt. Create a list of what you'll look for (Santa, reindeer, elf, snowflakes, holiday paw patrol characters, etc.) and check them off as you go.

1. It'll make you feel better. Just 5 minutes of outdoor exercise, such as daily family walks, has improved self-esteem and mood. Additionally, walking is an active strategy that may lower your stress response.
2. Heading outside for a walk with no goal other than to enjoy the lights is a great way to practice unstructured play with your kids. Unstructured play occurs when an activity has no defined purpose or instruction. It helps promote physical literacy, builds resilience and improves concentration. This benefits both children and adults alike. We have 25 more ideas for unstructured play here.
3. During this challenging time, noticing the little things that make you smile is essential. Practicing gratitude has been shown to give you a little happiness boost and train your brain to see more of the good, even amidst the bad. Take 1 or 2 minutes after you return from your walk to reflect on how it made you feel.