Autumn is finally here! This season gets us closer to winter and the end of the year, which is why many see it as a time for self-reflection, wellness, and renewal. It shouldn’t be a time to stress about past new year’s resolutions (trust us, we’ve been there!), but it can be a period where you and your family get together to practice mutual wellness. So, to help you hone in on you and your family’s wellness, we’ve gathered 4 activities you and your kids can do together this Fall season.

Learning to Meditate

Meditation is a great way to teach your loved ones about stress, focus, and mental clarity. If you choose this route, start by learning and practicing breathing techniques. As you and your family become comfortable with these exercises, add meditation to the mix by leading them through a guided meditation. Point out interesting things they can focus on, like the wind rustling through the leaves, or the animals they hear around them, and watch as their concentration improves.

If your kids find meditation unappealing, try turning it into a game for them to enjoy! Do funny breathing exercises, listen to music they’d like to hear, and even show them fun yoga poses they can try. There is always a way to make something fun, and meditation is no exception.


Exercising

Another way to moderate stress and improve overall health: exercising! We all went through that phase where our parents tried to get us into sports; although some of us hated it, it turns out that they were looking out for you! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular physical activity can help kids and adolescents improve their cardiovascular fitness, control weight, and reduce their overall anxiety and/or depression.

To get you and your kids excited about workout time, ask them what kind of exercise or sport they’d like to participate in, and practice a few sessions with them. If they get really interested, try to make it a common family activity! You’ll help them create a good, healthy habit that motivates them to stay active.


Eating Healthy

We’ve all had those days where you’re running late home and need dinner on the double, and we know the easiest solution: fast food. However, this shouldn’t be the norm, as constant intake of fast food can be detrimental to your health. Instead, use the fall season to think of ways to implement a healthy diet for you and your family. According to the Mayo Clinic, kids and adults need proteins, fruits, veggies, grains and dairy for a healthy diet.

To get you started, look for healthy recipes online that interest you and your kids; you can also ask what foods they like, don’t like, and which they’d like to try! This will start a conversation where everyone in your family gets a say on how to make healthy eating work.


Family Time

No matter what activity you and your family choose for mental wellness, the most important one is spending time with them. We know that the world isn’t ideal, and that work and other responsibilities can get in the way, but taking off time to spend with your loved ones will greatly benefit everyone in the family.

Play outside during weekends, talk with them daily, share stories, aspirations, and setbacks. Making family time a thing will help you and yours stay motivated and feel appreciated for years to come. If you’re interested in toy ideas for family time, we recommend our Pop Puzzler, Robo Pets T-Rex or Unicorn, and our Fun Forts Glow. To browse our full catalog, click here!

And there you go! four ways to promote wellness this Fall. Do you already do any of these activities with your family? Are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments below!