Looking for a fun summer activity that the whole family can do? August is the perfect month to think of swimming! Swimming is a great way to exercise your heart and lungs while also building strength and flexibility.
If you choose to check out the local pool, public pools can offer many options including swim lessons and exercise classes, but it’s also easy enough to plan your own outing. If you are looking for a pool, check out the local pools in your area, and also keep in mind the temperature of the pool depending on your family needs. Some children do better with warmer water temperature, particularly if they have higher muscle tone so they don’t get cold as quickly. Some communities offer “therapeutic pool” conditions meaning the temperature of the water is 92 degrees. Parents seem to enjoy these temperatures as much as the kids! Typically these therapeutic pools are associated with a therapy clinic or hospital setting, so start your search there if you want the warmer waters to enjoy.
Lakes are also a great option. A fun outing can be had by trying a new lake or beach; pack a picnic and enjoy the water with the kids. If you are concerned about safety check the hours for life guards and depth of the lake ahead of time to make sure you have shallow (or deeper) water if you were hoping for that.
Once you have chosen your destination, so many fun things can happen in the water to incorporate motor skills. At the beach you can practice sitting balance, using the sand to build a support wall around your child’s hips if your child is just starting to sit. Your child will gain sensory experiences playing with the sand and water and build up their fine motor skills with digging and exploring using their hands. If your child is starting to work on standing balance, it is easier with the buoyancy of the water. You can provide the support they need to become more confident with standing and walking. Noodles and water float devices can be fun to use for balance, but remember they can’t substitute for certified life preservers when safety is involved. The pool can offer many of the same fun activities, working on balance in sitting if the pool has a ramped entrance. Standing and balancing in deeper water as well. Many pools offer fun water slides and sprinkler systems for the kids, so the sensory experiences can be different when at the pool.
Another benefit for pool or lake dwellers to keep in mind is swimming can be a totally non weight-bearing activity, often necessary in those with brittle bones or children recovering from surgeries. Finding an activity the whole family can enjoy makes swimming a great choice if you need something easy on the bones or joints.
Whatever you do this summer, seize the opportunity; pick a pool or beach and enjoy the soothing and relaxing benefits of water before the kids head back to school this fall!
Does your family enjoy swimming at the lake, ocean, or pool? Do you have any tips or experiences to share with others?
Photo Credit: jennytakesphotos
One of my favorite things about swimming at the lake as a kid, was playing in the sand… love the sifting toys and making rivers and lakes around sandcastles, too!