Blackadventurecrew

  • FALL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Exercising Outdoors with Kids

    Exercising is one of those things you either love or hate. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, we probably can all agree that exercise and being active is essential to living a healthy life. With that in mind, the question that arises is, “how can we pass this healthy habit down to our kids?” Today, Zenovia Stephens, founder of Black Kids Adventures, Inc. and Alabama mom of 3, shares tips on exercising outdoors with kids and how it can help them adopt a lifelong love of moving their bodies. 

    exercising outside with kids

    Why exercise is important 

    According to the Oxford dictionary, exercise is “an activity requiring physical effort to sustain or improve health and fitness.” Although not mentioned in the definition, exercise has also been proven to improve mental health by helping you sleep better, induce happy moods, and decrease stress. Developing a regular exercise routine is crucial to overall health and wellbeing. 

    Kids need exercise and physical activity, too. Maybe now more than ever before. With the increasing amount of time that kids spend on screens or sitting still in school, kids today can really benefit from spending time being active. Regular physical activity can help children and adolescents improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. 

    In March 2020 the American Academy of Pediatrics released a report with specific recommendations for exercise:

    • Infants: physical movement several times a day through interactive floor-based play.

    • Kids age 3 to 5: three hours or more of physical activity every day.

    • Kids 6 to 17 years old: 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.

    playground workout area

    Go outside and exercise 

    Outside is where the magic happens! When you decide to take your workouts outside and into nature, it’s like giving your activities a power-up. You not only get the benefits above from the physical exercise but there are so many added health benefits of being outdoors. Research shows that exercising outdoors is a natural mood booster, feels easier, is more fun, is good for your vision, boosts your immunity, and increases your creativity. 

    Getting the kids involved in outdoor exercise

    Exercising and physical activity have always been a priority for myself and my own physical and mental health. My husband and I both ran track in college and running has been a big part of our lives. Throughout my parenting journey, I’ve enjoyed finding new ways for my family to connect and spend time together. Just like adults, kids need to decompress from long days, busy days, or overstimulating days. Kids need space to run around, physical activity, and fresh air.

    I’ve found exercising outdoors with kids as a family to be an excellent way for everyone to tune out the noise of the day and find balance. Working out together as a family is a great way to feel better and get healthier. 

    But, these family workouts are about more than just exercising; they’re also about building and strengthening your family muscle. If that’s weak, nothing else matters. Exercising outdoors as a family is a great way to reconnect and build healthy habits for your kids. 

    exercise outside

    Make outdoor exercise fun for kids

    It’s important to keep outdoor exercise and physical activity enjoyable for the kids. You want to create a positive experience that your kids will keep up long after leaving the nest. I suggest getting creative and even letting the kids help plan a few workouts or have some input. My boys always find inspiration from shows like American Ninja Warrior and, more recently, the Olympics. If you keep in mind that exercise doesn’t have to be a chore or boring, you’re already halfway there!  

    running with kids

    Tips for starting a family outdoor exercise routine

    Creating a family exercise routine can be very easy and done by almost anyone. All you need to do to get started is come up with a plan for what activities and exercises you’ll do (and where), then put it on the schedule and commit. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do what works best for your family. There’s so much freedom and creativity to do whatever makes sense for your family that you may be surprised by just how easy it is to turn outdoor activities into exercise. 

    1. Schedule it

    The first thing you should do is decide which days your family will exercise and write it on a calendar. Make sure the calendar is in a central location so that everyone can see it and know what’s coming up. This helps get your kids mentally prepared for the activity and keeps you all accountable. You’re much less likely to skip a workout if it’s on the calendar for everyone to see!

    2. Let the kids get themselves ready

    After a few weeks of participating in the activity, they should start to know what to expect and how to get themselves prepared and ready on their own. I like to see how they handle getting ready independently – it helps foster their independence and makes my life easier. When kids know their schedules, it helps them learn responsibility in being prepared. So, if they see “park workout” on Wednesday, they know to come home that day and get dressed for the park after school. It works, and they usually are very proud to say “I got ready all by myself!”  

    family race

    3. Decide what exercises to do

    There are many ways to exercise outdoors with your kids; the sky is really the limit as almost any activity can become exercise. I always start with what I know my whole family will enjoy and build from there. We’re pretty competitive, so what works for us is turning things into a competition. 

    You know your kids best, so start with their interests and incorporate those into outdoor physical activities. If you have a kid who loves playing with sidewalk chalk, you can all design your own family obstacle course with chalk and then complete it a set number of times. Maybe your kids are into dancing; grab a speaker and have a dance-off outside. Super hot day? Head to the pool and have races on who can swim the fastest. The key is to make sure that you get your heart rates up in whatever you choose to use to exercise. 

    4. Let your surroundings help choose your activity

    Sometimes we base our exercises on where we are or what we have available. We like to use things we already have at home or other free resources, such as playgrounds. My family used to own a personal trampoline, so we would take turns seeing who could jump the longest for years. We even got the neighbor to join us one time! It was some of the most fun I’ve ever had exercising with my kids. Use what you have and take advantage of public green spaces. You don’t need any fancy equipment or gear to be active. 

    family fun run

    Outdoor exercise ideas with kids

    1. Ladder drills 

    Ladders are typically used to help athletes gain more speed, agility, and quick feet. They also make for a fun tool to get kids happy about moving their bodies. 

    Lay a ladder down flat and take turns doing high knees, quick feet, and running through the ladder. Have one family member time and see if you can improve each round. For more ideas on how to incorporate a ladder into your outdoor exercise routine, check out these agility ladder drills. 

    2. Playground turned fitness center

    A trip to the park can easily turn into a chance to get a workout in and have some fun! Playgrounds are an excellent area to use for exercising. Some are even equipped with outdoor fitness machines or stations, taking the guesswork out for you. If they are, please make sure to follow the instructions and supervise children on the equipment. 

    For those that are just playgrounds, get creative! Use the monkey bars to work on lowering yourself to the ground slowly and in control. Find the bridge and do planks or pushups while maintaining balance. The stairs are great for calf raises or even box jumps, if not too high. 

    For less traditional exercises, use the playground as a ready-made obstacle course. This is our favorite way to work out at the park as a family. The possibilities are endless, and while the kids might more content to play here, I’m sure they’ll eventually join in the workout. 

    3. Family relays at the track 

    A standard track is 400 meters and is easily broken up for a family relay race. Let the kids find a nice stick to use as a baton and have everyone stand around the track. You can either stand at the 100-meter mark or let everyone pick their own spot on the track and begin. The second way will be more challenging because some members will have to run longer than others. The first person (holding the baton) runs as fast as they can to the next person. They pass the baton and start running to the next person until the whole family runs (or makes it all the way around the track). Keep a record of how long each race takes and try to beat your time the next round. 

    You can also have a parent vs. child race, which is always more fun when done on a track. 

    4. Fun runs 

    Typically during fall and spring, you can find a lot of organizations hosting fun runs. They are usually 5k (3.1 miles), 10k (6.2 miles), but some are longer and some have a shorter version for small kids (1-mile). Some races are themed (some even encourage costumes) and some are for a cause, but they’re all excellent, non-competitive ways to exercise a family.

    These events tend to have many people cheering everyone on, and kids love taking to a running course with family by their side. You can go at your own pace, as fast or slow as your family wants. Some will even let you push strollers or bring your dog to run with you! 

    Local running stores are excellent resources to help gather information on upcoming family runs. 

    kids color run

    Creating healthy habits

     

    No matter how your family decides to exercise together, getting out and getting it done is most important. Taking your workouts outside and getting your kids involved is a great way to connect as a family in a healthy and productive way. Exercising today will set the stage for healthy habits tomorrow. You’re also showing your kids how to schedule and prioritize physical and mental health. 

    What’s your family’s favorite way to exercise outdoors? 

    About the author

    Zenovia is an outdoor enthusiast, freelance travel and adventure blogger, wife, and mom to three young boys (ages 8, 5  & 2). Originally from Chicago, Zenovia and her family live in Huntsville, Alabama, and spend many of their days exploring and learning about the area. She is the Founder and CEO of Black Kids Adventures, Inc, a non-profit organization that focuses on getting Black and Brown families to spend time together exploring and enjoying nature. Zenovia is a Visit North Alabama Ambassador, 2021 Land Trust of North Alabama Board Member, YMCA Board Member, WildKind Ambassador and a monthly contributor for We are Huntsville and Huntsville’s CVB. You can follow along with her mom and family adventures and find inspiration for your own family adventures at Black Adventure Crew.

    You can find Zenovia online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @blackadventurecrew
    Facebook: @blackadventurecrew
    Website: Black Kids Adventures
    RWMC posts: Backyard Movie Night

  • FALL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER

    Backyard Family Outdoor Movie Night with Kids

    Spending time with our families isn’t always easy, especially once we get busy with school, work, and extracurricular activities. Making time, even just once a week, to fully connect with each other as a family unit is important. One way to do this is with a family movie night. Spending time together watching a movie strengthens family bonds. Today, Zenovia Stephens, founder of Black Kids Adventures, Inc. and Alabama mom of three, shares all about making memories with a backyard family outdoor movie night with kids.

    Family Movie Night Ideas

    The thrill of a movie night outdoors

    Movie nights are one of the most memorable family activities of childhood. Choosing what to watch and which snacks to eat are always fun, whether you’re watching a movie in the living room or at the theater. But a change of scenery can take movie night to the next level and make it even better! Outdoor movie night is special and so much fun for everyone. Today, I will share tips on adding a little more sparkle to family movie night and creating everlasting memories right from your backyard.

    Family movie nights are essential for families

    Family movie nights are about so much more than watching a movie. After a long week of work and school, family movie night is the perfect opportunity to unwind and bond as a unit. Here are a few, not so obvious, benefits of sitting down to watch a movie as a family:

    • It gives kids a chance to help plan something. Movie night is an excellent place for kids to take charge and plan the movie, snacks, and make sure everything needed is on hand.
    • It gives everyone something to look forward to. Pushing through work and school can be hard on all of us. Knowing every Friday is family movie night can be the sweet spot that helps everyone get to the end of the week.
    • The movie gives everyone something to talk about together. During the hustle and bustle of the week, our children do things without us. Family movie nights enable us all to have at least one thing in common we can talk about each week.
    • Everyone can enjoy this time together. When you have kids of different ages, it gets harder to find things suited for everyone. Family movie night is a place for everyone to come together despite age gaps.
    • Depending on the movie, it can help reinforce positive values and behaviors. Take Disney’s new film Luca for example. It helped my boys see how important it is to speak positive thoughts over their lives. 
    • Spending time together reduces sibling rivalry. Often children experience disconnect during the week, especially when schedules are busy. This disconnect can also cause your children to act out and most often this results in bickering siblings. Spending time doing the same activity together, helps decrease this disconnect, builds familial bonds, and reduces sibling rivalry.

    Now, take movie night outside into the backyard, and you get a supercharged event with even more benefits!

    movie snack baskets Solo Stove

    Why take movie night to the backyard?

    Remember being a kid and getting excited about your parents stopping for a happy meal? Sure, they could’ve cooked a cheeseburger and fries at home, but the magic in your eyes was from the cute box, fun toy, and having everything packaged just for you. It added an element of excitement to an ordinary cheeseburger meal. 

    Backyard movie nights do the same thing! It adds a new and exciting element to ordinary family movie nights. It’s a movie packaged in an outdoor adventure! You also get the bonus of more time outside in the fresh air, which is always a good thing. Studies show that increased time outdoors helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes creativity and feel-good hormones (endorphins). 

    movie night treats

    Backyard movie night supplies

    • One heavy-duty frosted shower curtain 
    • One heavy-duty white shower curtain
    • Large clips, duct tape, or pavers
    • Projector (Don’t have one? See below for DIY movie night projectors)
    • Extension cord
    • HDMI or AV adaptor 
    • Table 
    • Snack baskets 
    • Popcorn buckets
    • Snacks
    • Drinks 
    • Blankets or lawn furniture
    • Firepit

    DIY movie night projector

    If you have a projector already, go ahead and skip this section. If you don’t have a projector, don’t worry! You can still hold a backyard family movie night! Do you have a cell phone? If so, you can make this simple projector described at Point Clicker. All you need is the supplied listed below and a little time to throw it together.

    • Cell phone
    • Shoebox (or box of similar size)
    • Magnifying glass
    • Glue
    • Black Paint

    This is DIY projector is simple to make and only takes a few minutes. It is a great option for those who don’t have access to a project and want to create a backyard movie night memories with their families. 

    NOTE: If you don’t have a projector, check with your local library. Many libraries have them available to check out. 

    diy projector screen

    DIY projector screen setup

    Start by choosing the best viewing location in your yard and setting up your “screen.” If you have a projector screen, feel free to skip over the DIY screen portion below. 

    Once you have your location, gather your curtains and smooth them out as best as you can. You will then hang the frosted curtain in the back and the white curtain on the top to create your very own DIY projector screen. We hang ours on a retaining wall in our yard and use pavers to hold the screen down. If you’re hanging from a fence, consider heavy-duty clips or heavy-duty duct tape. 

    You could also project your movie onto a large white wall (maybe the side of your house) or a garage door. 

    DIY Movie Screen

    Outdoor theater setup

    Once your screen is ready, consider adding a canopy tent over the screen. While not necessary for a backyard movie night, adding a canopy tent over the screen will help create a cozy theater feeling. It also blocks light from the sky, allowing you to begin the movie a little before dark. This is great when you have little ones that can’t stay up late enough for it to be completely dark.

    Place your table in the middle of the screen and set up the projector according to the included instructions. Ensure you have the correct connectors if you plan to stream a movie from your phone, tablet, or computer. We made the mistake of not checking when we first purchased our projector and ended up having to move indoors after the kids were outside and ready. Plan ahead and read the instructions in advance! 

    Also, if your projector doesn’t have built-in speakers, you may need to set up a speaker as well. You can use a portable Bluetooth speaker or whatever you have on hand. 

    Backyard movie setup

    Backyard outdoor movie night seating

    When we do outdoor movie night, we tend to mix seating up every time to keep things exciting and interesting. Sometimes we spread out blankets; sometimes, we use lawn chairs. We’ve also done it camp style and set up tents! Consider bean bags or sleeping bags. I’ve even seen some families have the kids turn empty cardboard boxes into cars and then create a “drive in” movie night feel!

    It’s a family preference, but switching up something as simple as seating can be used to add in another element of fun and surprise. You can leave the kids in charge of deciding which setup to use at each backyard movie night. 

    movie night set up with tent

    Family movie night snacks

    Have fun here and let the kids indulge some. Here are some ideas to get you started.

    • Dollar store snack trip. I take my boys to the dollar store and let them pick whatever movie treat they want. For this day, nothing matters. All of our healthy, balanced eating goes out the door. They’re free to choose whatever they want; the only catch is it’s limited to one thing.
    • Create a snack box. To make it memorable, we package a treat and popcorn in individual baskets along with a drink. It makes the kids feel like they’re at the movies, and it makes cleaning up easy.
    • Make it dinner and a movie. Depending on the day, sometimes we have dinner along with the movie. It can range from pizza to sandwiches to roasting hot dogs over the fire. As long as it’s easy to make and carry, it works well for backyard movie night. 
    • Roast marshmallows. If you have a fire pit in your yard, it might be fun to pause the movie and take a break for a marshmallow treat. 
    • Have a snack tray ready. If popcorn and candy are getting old (can that even happen?), you can mix it up by making a snack tray. Throw some cheese, crackers, veggies, and fruit on a tray and set it out for when the post-dinner movie munchies hit.

    at home movie snack ideas

    Backyard outdoor movie night in Fall and early Winter

    If your kids are like mine, they’ll love watching movies in the backyard and will be hard-pressed to come back indoors for movie nights. Outdoor movie nights aren’t just for summer months. Depending on your weather (and how adventurous your family is), you could do outdoor movie night year-round! As temperatures drop, be sure to add extra layers of warmth to keep your kids toasty. You can also add blankets (even heated blankets). 

    While we’re known to light a fire in all seasons, a fire pit comes in super handy for extending the backyard movie night season. Our Solo Stove gives off some of the best heat ever and is smokeless, so we don’t all smell like a campfire when we go back inside. It does a great job of keeping us warm while we’re enjoying backyard movies.

    solo stove smokeless fire

    Prepare young kids to last the night 

    Backyard outdoor movie night is a ton of fun, but it can be more challenging for littles to stay up after dark. If you have young kids, prioritize nap or rest time on movie nights. That way your little one will be well-rested and in a much better mood. It can make a big difference in how the experience goes for your family. You can also have a quiet activity at the ready for your younger children, especially if they tend to lose interest in movies before they are over. 

    Family movie night success

    How does your family enjoy movie night? 

    About the author

    Zenovia is a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast, freelance travel and adventure blogger, wife, and mom to three young boys (ages 8, 5  & 2). Originally from Chicago, Zenovia and her family live in Huntsville, Alabama, and spend many of their days exploring and learning about the area. She is the Founder and CEO of Black Kids Adventures, Inc, a non-profit organization that focuses on getting Black and Brown families to spend time together exploring and enjoying nature. Zenovia is a Visit North Alabama Ambassador, 2021 Land Trust of North Alabama Board Member, YMCA Board Member, WildKind Ambassador and a monthly contributor for We are Huntsville and Huntsville’s CVB. You can follow along with her mom and family adventures and find inspiration for your own family adventures at Black Adventure Crew.

    You can find Zenovia online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @blackadventurecrew
    Facebook: @blackadventurecrew
    Website: Black Kids Adventures