With the kids home from school for the summer, there are often big changes in the daily routine, including new activities, vacations, and sometimes less than ideal meals and snacks. If you know children who will be starting their summer break soon, you are also likely to hear “I’m bored” at least a few times. How can we help our kids to eat well, stay active, and avoid boredom? Check out these helpful Kidnetic.com resources for kids, parents, families, day care providers, and camp counselors.

There is Something for Everyone with Kidnetic.com
The Kidnetic.com resources were developed by the International Food Information Council Foundation based on findings from consumer research completed in 2000 and 2005.  The goal of the program is to promote healthful eating and active living in a way that is fun and relevant. The integrated educational resources include the Kidnetic.com Web site for kids and parents; the Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide, an educational resource with lessons for health professionals and others working with kids; and the Kidnetic.com Real-Life Guide for Parents, a brochure aimed at helping parents keep the whole family healthy.

These resources, designed to inspire kids and their families to move toward more healthful lifestyles, have been updated to reflect current science and federal guidance. The Kidnetic.com Web site and resources also are non-commercial, which means that there are no ads, sales promotions, or, links to any company or brand Web sites.

For the kids…

• When you hear the first declaration of boredom, send your kids to the Kidnetic.com Web site, which provides opportunities for children to get up and get moving with Games in the Kore, like Fitness Challenge, Scavenger Hunt, and Dance Move Mixer. Other boredom-busting parts of the Kidnetic.com Web site include Bright Papers about Cool Things to do Outside When It’s Hot and Sticky and How to Get Moving and Have Fun When It’s Just You.

If you’re a parent or family member…

• You’re the role model! Check out this Real-Life Guide for Parents for tips to help lead the kids you love down the path to a lifetime of healthy habits. One great tip to start this healthy journey: Help your kids strike the right balance. Maintain a healthy weight by balancing calories from foods you eat with calories burned from daily physical activity. Turn nutrition into a game by helping your kids find foods that deliver on nutrients, such s fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, while keeping the calories in check.
• Save some time by encouraging the kids to help you prepare dinner for the family! Try the Tasty Tortellini Toss, the BBQ Chicken Pizza, or another dinner recipe from the Web site.
• Need some “bright ideas” when it comes to talking to kids about food, fitness, and feelings?  Our Bright Papers aren’t just for kids! Look for helpful information about Setting Limits on Screen Time, Developing Your Child’s Self Esteem, 10 Fun Fitness Activities to Suggest When Kids Say, “I’m Bored!”, and plenty other topics in Bright Papers for Parents on the Web site.
• Find expert answers to questions that parents and role models have asked about the health of the kids they love – including inexpensive ideas for physical activity and how to deal with a child becoming vegetarian.

If you’re a camp counselor, educator or daycare provider, or health professional…

• The Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide provides 13 fun and easy-to-use modules focused on food, fitness, fun, feelings, and family to teach children in a variety of settings: classrooms, summer- and after-school programs, daycare programs, summer camps, and other settings for youth education. While the Leader’s Guide and accompanying resources were extensively pilot-tested with kids, ages 9-12 years, the content can be easily tailored to fit the needs for children of all ages.
• Serve up nutritious and kid-tested Smart Snacks like Insect-Infested Logs or Grape-n-Cheese Mini-Kebabs! Find other recipes for breakfast, lunch, and snacks on the website.  Begin your own “budding chef academy” using these kid-friendly recipes.
• If you can get online, have a group of kids check out Kidnetic.com, where they can get up and get moving with games in the Kore. Take turns with one kid designing moves for the group in the Dance Move Mixer, or play the Scavenger Hunt as a team!

The summer is a great time for kids to enjoy their time away from school and to learn healthful habits that can help them live active, healthier lives. Kidnetic.com resources can help parents and role models teach these lessons to kids in a fun, kid-friendly way.  Enjoy!  

Click here to learn more about the development of the Kidnetic.com program and resources.