Wintertime is interesting when it comes to kids, especially coming up with ways to let them blow off some of their energy that won’t have you, in turn, pulling your hair out.
Knowing how treacherous our winters have become, shooing them outside to play may not cut it. Here are some unique classes to check out that will have them using some of their pent-up liveliness in a healthy way. –Lynn Norusis
Parkour
Looking at the way children play, you’d think they were part ninja; the way they run at their top speed, hurdling themselves over and under obstacles. With Urban Evolution’s Parkour for Kids classes, the children get to romp about in an environment that will teach them fundamental skills in a play atmosphere. Classes start with those as young as 4 years old. As the age levels increase more refinement and conditioning is incorporated into the training, with 14-year-old students being able to test and graduate into the adult program.
Urban Evolution
Alexandria & Manassas
Zumba
Dancing is in a child’s nature. A tune doesn’t even have to be playing, and they will hum it out and move to the beat. At Zumba, instructors take this love of movement and flow fitness into the choreographed routines. Steps are broken out into games and activities, some with the cultural elements from the dances. Not only do the children get to rock out to the music, they are also taught balance, coordination and confidence along with teamwork and leadership skills. Classes across the area are set up for 7- to 11-year olds through Zumba Kids and 4- to 6-year olds through Zumba Kids, Jr.
Zumba
Multiple NoVA locations
CrossFit
The craze of CrossFit is now reaching children. Programs throughout the area focus on the basic skills of weightlifting and agility on a minimalistic scale—requiring little if any equipment. The focus in CrossFitKids is fun with integration of building basic exercise routines that children can take with them throughout life: strength, stamina, speed, coordination, flexibility, to name a few. Programs are offered for preschoolers—with exercises such as jumping jacks, crab walks and bear crawls—through teens—with exercises such as speed ladders, handstands, squats and more.
CrossFitKids
Multiple NoVA locations
Rock climbing
Sportrock Climbing Center, with locations in Alexandria and Sterling, have a multitude of options for children who want to scale walls. From open climb times—for those who want to get a taste for climbing—to climbing teams, instructors help children learn the basic techniques for top roping (with the use of a harness and rope) and bouldering (sans harness and rope). Safety is priority and is taught throughout every lesson. And for those wanting to jump right in, Sportrock also offers overnight lock-ins where instructors teach children everything they need to know: harnessing, knotcraft and belaying.
Sportrock Climbing Center
Alexandria & Sterling
(January 2015)
