During the winter months, it can seem difficult to get outside and get the exercise that your family needs – but it’s actually quite easy, as we show below. There are many ways to engage your kids and the whole family in swimming activities, even during the coldest winter months. This is especially important for very young children who still advancing through their junior swimming lessons.
Options include not only travel to beaches, but also water parks and indoor pools, some of which you may find surprisingly close. The ultimate benefit is that kids and their parents continue their physical exercise and spend quality time together. Taking time to explore these options can bring the family together for fun, as well as needed skill development. Here are some suggestions to start you thinking about the options available to your family.
Travel Options
While a family vacation to Hawaii may not be in the budget, there are several options that won’t break the bank and are closer. For instance, in the Yucatan, Mexico, there are a variety of beach towns like Progresso or Motul where the family can have relaxed access to the beach and a variety of swimming activities.
Another option is Ambergris Caye in Belize, a small Caribbean Island with a variety of family-friendly hotels and resorts to fit every budget – and most are directly located on the sandy beach with the sea at your doorstep. Additionally, Ambergris Caye is situated just off the second largest reef system so there are opportunities to explore the coral, fish and animals that reside there. Many other such opportunities exist south of the border.
Water Parks
Indoor water parks are located throughout the country and provide visitors with swimming opportunities anytime of the year. Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park in Pennsylvania offers activities such as the Cyclone Slide, the Black Hole Slide and the Aqua Tumbler. There are also standard pools and the Tree Tops Ropes Course. This will keep the family exercising while having fun. Kids won’t even realize that they are exercising.
The WaTiki Indoor Water Park in South Dakota is a 3,000 square feet indoor water park kept at a balmy 82 degrees under a glass enclosure. Enjoy the park’s lazy river and its many slides for days of fun and swimming activities.
Wilderness at the Smokies in Tennessee also provides many options for families to enjoy swimming and water activities, even during the coldest winters. Under its glass roof, there are 66,000 square feet of water activities to enjoy. One particularly fun family activity is the five-story rafting ride called the Runaway Canyon. There are also countless tunnels and pools for additional swimming fun. One notable ride is the Storm Chaser Thrill Ride that allows riders to briefly experience zero gravity before being shot into the pool below.
With over 1,000 water parks in the US, your family won’t have to travel far to enjoy the water. And many water parks are associated with resorts or hotels so it’s easy to stay close by. In fact, some are associated with ski resorts so that swimming can be part of the day while other winter activities can fill the rest of the day.
Indoor Pools
As with indoor water parks, there are many indoor pools available for regular swimming and recreation. Many offer swimming lessons and water exercise classes. An example is the Aquadome Recreation center in Decatur, Alabama, where swimmers can enjoy a warm pool under a glass dome. In addition to their aquatic programs, they also offer a full gym and fitness activities to promote a healthy lifestyle.
In Tempe, Arizona, guests can enjoy winter swimming opportunities at the Kiwanis Recreation Center. The center offers a warm wave pool. The pool also has raft rentals and water slides. Areas include lap swimming, dedicated open swimming and aquatic fitness classes.
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Indoor Aquatic Center in Lawrence, Kansas provides many opportunities for families to engage in swimming and water activities. The center boasts a 10-lane competitive swimming pool. It also has an area dedicate to diving. For a more family-friendly option, there’s a pool reserved for families, particularly those with younger children. This pool area has a zero-depth entry making it easier for younger children to enter the water. There is a slide and a water-driven playground to engage every visitor.
Indoor pools exist in many communities, and make an economical option to keep swimming through the coldest winter months. Most offer memberships so that everyone can enjoy the swimming pools anytime. Also, many offer additional programs such as swim lessons so that your child’s skill development can continue even when it’s cold.
Keep Swimming During Winter
Swimming is an opportunity for families to enjoy time together. There are several important reasons to continue to seek out swimming opportunities for your kids during the wintertime. Perhaps the most important is that they can continue their swim lessons along with developing their water safety skills. By not taking a winter break from classes, they continue to increase their strength and skills, and their confidence in and around water.
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