Having a Super Healthy Summer
by
Douglas Haddad 
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Summertime is right around the corner, and what a great time for a child to partake in a wide variety of SUPER HEALTHY summer activities to enrich the mind, body, and spirit.
Each day a child can engage in a new adventure to learn some new skills, have some fun, and keep busy.
Instead of staying in front of a computer throughout the day, the summertime lends itself (for most areas of the world) to outdoor activities.
“Summer afternoon – to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ~ Henry James
Some super-healthy summer activities:
Sign up your child for day camp.
There are many different sports-related activities, group/team-building activities, and challenges that are fun for kids!
Have a child do activities that are arts and crafts-related.
Many interesting activities for kids do not require a great deal of materials. Y
ou can designate one day a week to “arts and crafts day” and put the work on display. Continue to add to the display each week.
Introduce a child to new, healthy snacks.
To your liking, you can introduce a “new snack of the day/ week”.
This is a great opportunity to sit down with your child and explain the benefits of eating certain healthy foods.
In addition to healthy snacks, you can have a child participate in making and tending a garden.
Having a child take ownership of his/her labors will allow the child to experience the value of healthy fruits and vegetables directly.
Games, games, and more games!
Whether they are board games from the store or creative, on-the-spot games that you or the kids makeup, board games enhance educational skills and keep the brain from turning into a marshmallow come the next school year.
Board games build confidence and problem-solving skills, improve memory and concentration, and aid in social and mental development.
Family friendly outdoor activities!
Enjoy just being outdoors, whether it is going to the beach, hiking, camping, golfing, taking family walks, bike riding, rollerblading, etc.
This gives a chance for the family to spend quality time together and appreciate nature, the fresh air, the scenery, getting some exercise, and being together as a family.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important for your body to function properly and prevent dehydration during hot summer days.
It is advised to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day… the equivalent of approximately one-half gallon of water.
When you exercise, you should consume 20 ounces more to replenish lost fluids.
Douglas Haddad, is the author of parenting/child guidance book Save Your Kids…Now! The Revolutionary Guide To Helping Youth Conquer Today’s Challenges and co-author of Top Ten Tips For Tip Top Shape: Super Health Programs For All Professional Fields. He is a full-time public school teacher in Connecticut. For more information on super health topics, please visit www.doughaddad.com.
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This post originally appeared on our May/June 2011 Magazine
