So summer is quickly coming to an end in Phoenix.  While the days are still hot, the kids are going back to school and my next wave of college freshman are leaving their homes in Phoenix and heading off to places around the country.  I have committed to running the Phoenix PF Chang’s Marathon in January and I am preparing for my long training days.  This summer has been quite successful at getting back into shape and losing some pounds.  I committed to five days a week at the gym and enjoyed my morning spin classes, lifting, and/or eliptical training.  On the weekends, I usually got in a good run before the sun was high and the 110 degree day made it impossible to go outside. 

Phoenicians have it tough in the summer when the kids are out of school, unlike most areas of the country we are forced inside most of the day keeping our kids out of the hot sun.  I found lots of indoor activities for my busy three year old to participate in and was happy that many business owners focused on opening their spaces to their young clientele.  We regularly frequented a cheer gym who had a bouncy house and use of their equipment open to the public twice weekly for a cheap $3 visit.  We frequented the story-hour at Barnes and Noble, participated in the Little Gym, went to library activities, and took regular trips to the mall.  I do believe the mall became my sons favorite summertime treat.  We rode the elevators and escalators for hours and played in the mall play place.  In addition, the mall frequently had kids activities (car racing was our favorite), music, and entertaining fountains all in the cool (almost cold) airconditioning.  As long as I stayed away from shopping, the mall was a free entertainment venue! The Phoenix Zoo had Friday and Saturday evenings open with lots of water play, bouncy houses, and slides to entertain too!  Overall, summer could be a bust when it is so hot, yet you can find cheap and/or free options to get your family out and moving during those hot days.  Finally, our true family favorite is the swimming pool.  Whether you have a pool in your yard or you head to the local pool, swimming cools you down and keeps your kids active.  My son became increasingly water safe and enjoyed countless hours playing in the water.  Get yourself and your children outside as the summer quickly comes to a close!

photo by Nicole Welch

Every Saturday morning we head over to our local Little Gym for some fun.  My son absolutely loves going to his “super beast” class at the Little Gym and he looks forward to it every Saturday morning.  We started going to the gym when my son was only 1 year old.  He has obtained so many skills from attending these classes and has become so confident in his physical activities.  Some of his favorite activities at they gym include playing on the bars, playing with a parachute, and bouncing on the air track; he has also learned how to walk on a balance beam, do a forward roll, do monkey jumps and donkey kicks, and jump off of things.  The gym is a safe environment that allows him to explore and also have group instruction.  Today at the gym, my son did a surprising and entertaining new skill.  When doing a donkey kick he went up into a hand stand and flipped over.  At first he looked up in shock, but then he got really excited as the class and parents cheered for him.  The instructor was even shocked by this new skill and my son proceeded to do it again with the encouragement of “Mr. Matt.”   His new found skill was a highlight of his day and an introduction to gymnastics, but all in all the confidence in his own abilities is the most important skill he is obtaining.

Getting our kids involved in activities at a young age helps them become confident, physically adept, and coordinated.  While we have been really happy with the Little Gym, there are a lot of programs out there that helps develop your child’s physical prowess.  In Phoenix we have classes like Soccer Tots, parent/child swimming, Gymboree, etc.  Most YMCA’s have child classes that cater to differing age groups as well.  Get your child active and involved and let them develop skills necessary to be confident and coordinated kids.  If you don’t have time for a class or program, get your child outside and playing.  I am not saying your child needs to be the next great athlete, but they should be introduced to some physical activity and skills to help them be active throughout their life.  My son absolutely loves it and I do too!