hey guys! i used to take my family on a walk after work but now i have to literally RUSH home to try & get us around the block ONE time before it's too dark. then we come inside, i prep food real quick, and he's bouncing off the freakin' walls, as we speak. around 7p he's def slowed down, so we color & wind down, bathe, book, bed, y'know?
but in the 5p-7p range he's still got lots of energy. he's in daycare all day and he'll be 3 next week. i do take him to mcdonald's or burger king every once in awhile but obviously not feasible for a nightly thing. any suggestions on how to help him burn some of this??
thanks! :)
Noting that you live in Minnesota, not only is it dark, but now it is typically cold at night. I love the flashlight idea, but at some point going in is the only option.
Put on the music and dance!
Then find ways to wind down for the evening.
Flashlights and continue to walk around the block.
An indoor exercise Trampoline.
A swing in the yard. Turn on the porch light.
Exercise Videos,
Wii Sports package.
We have that problem because I don't feel comfortable walking in our area after dark. I'm thinking of getting my just turned 3 yr old a mini trampoline for Xmas! It's the only thing I can think of indoors that is great exercise
You can still take a walk.
Is your neighborhood relatively safe?
We go walking at night.
My kids like the night air.
We bring flashlights and my cell phone.
Just in case.
And keep in mind, that when a child is over-tired... they can also get more seemingly "hyper." And they need to unwind.... slow down... key down.
My son is like that. When he is TIRED and over-tired, he actually gets more 'hyper'... because he is trying to force himself awake.
But I know him. He is tired.
He will actually admit it, sometimes.
So then I put him to bed, earlier than usual. After a nice warm bath and an earlier dinner. I make the whole bed routine, EARLIER when my son is like that. Otherwise, he is like a self-propelling top.
And he passes out, within 10 minutes.
How old is your son? Oh okay 3 years old.
What time does he go to bed?
Hopefully, by 8:00pm?
Your son is in Daycare all day.
That REALLY tires them out. Same for kids that go to Preschool at that age.
Does he get any naps there?
Kids are real tired... after being in Daycare all day or Preschool all day.
They have to DEFLATE.
If not, they do get more.... hyper. Because they are overtired.
They 'work' all day at Daycare or Preschool.
It is a long day for them.
Perhaps, do things that are QUIET and calm, after you get him home.
Put on, mellow music, make things dark already in the house. Calm.
And have a mellow routine for him once he comes home.
A kid, that age, needs to unwind from their day and needs to be helped toward that.
Flashlights make the walk even more fun.
I got some great answers to this question on my thread "active things to do when it's cold/dark out. My almost 2.5 yr old is the same way (and she's in daycare all day too).
Some suggestions I've been using:
- make an obstacle course. have him follow a tape line (we use yarn since it's easier to put down and pick up) over, under, and through objects. hop over pillows/stuffed animals/whatever.
- play with beach balls/balloons.
- jump on pillows. from pillow to pillow or from bed/couch to pillow.
- have a marching band. or an "animal parade" (walk like a crab, jump like a frog, slither like a snake, etc).
- play hide and seek. play tag (one mom does "sock tag" where you crawl around and try to take sock off).
We don't have a large enough garage, but if you do, you can pull out the cars and have him ride his bike in there. I thought about an indoor mini trampoline, but there seem to be a lot of injury concerns with those.
Put on some music and dance in the living room.
As an early childhood educator (kindergarten teacher, also with experience in day care), I can't help but question if he is getting enough opportunity to release that energy at day care?? Why is he so energetic every evening after being at day care all day long? I would really question whether day care is providing the correct amount of play opportunities and stimulating activities during the day. Is he getting outside every day (according to state regulations, he should be going outside EVERY DAY unless weather is bad - rain or below 20 degrees). Even if children aren't outside, there should still be large motor, active play opportunities provided throughout the day...
As a parent, I would really look into and question what is going on at day care...
He could just be excited to see you - and it is great that you recognize the importance for kids to get that exercise that they need and take that time to take your family for a walk. :-) Good luck!! :-)
We have a bouncy horse he can take for a ride! http://tinyurl.com/c8gm4q8
BEST Christmas gift ever! We got ours for $40 on craigslist!
We live in an apartment building with a LOT of stairs -- I've been known to have him go up and down the stairs to burn off steam! Or to run laps in the hallway
Previous provider was AWESOME when our kids where younger, smaller space, they had an outdoor play area and didn’t leave the house but the older my children got the less they came home tired meaning I had to be the one to wear them out if I wanted them to go to bed on time-I switched day cares 2 months ago and they are always on the move, she takes them EVERYWHERE possible to expel that energy and they are a lot more worn down when they get home! If this is not feasible try involving your child in an extracurricular activity (I am doing gymnastics on Friday night & Soccer Saturdays) join the neighborhood boys and girls club, for a small fee they have tons of space to let your child get creative. We have a long hallway in our house and we chase the kids playing tag. On Demand there are kids learn to dance videos and kid workouts that are a lot of fun for children and adults! Good luck
We invested in karaoke home system, love it!
