Fun with a Purpose: Activities for the Youth

While adults sometimes prefer to be alone for that quality “me” time, kids are the opposite. They have a need to be amongst their peers and the need to belong is strong at this time.

Sadly, kids don’t even come together anymore because of digital addiction. There is a culture change in this century where getting together means meeting on Facetime, Skype or any communication app.


Parent and child exercising; image source: pixabay.com/en/push-ups-exercise-fitness-workout-888024/

While these technologies help bridge the physical divide, the essence of personal involvement is lost in our youth, where it matters most.

How then do we bring back face to face, personal interaction into our youths?

Fun and Beneficial

We had a culture change, a revolution of sorts. The “digital heroin” is an effect of too much and too early screen time for the kids. It’s a habit we need to regulate.

But more than regulating, we need to create a new culture for the youth to help them holistically. Simply introducing a new activity with the hopes of getting picked up by kids these days is a hit and miss.

However, one thing is for sure—these activities need to be fun, but also beneficial to mind, body and spirit. Here are some examples of how you can structure your activities with your young ones.

1. Movement-based

Kids need to move. That is their natural reaction to developmental growth. Once this is nourished, the results are positive to a child’s being, both physiological and mental. A movement-based activity nurture’s a child’s growth. As early as 2 years old, you can cultivate a culture of health and wellness through exercises with a purpose.

Les Mills, the high intensity fitness method that specializes in creating a fitness culture, conducts exercise for kids of just about any age. Other than exercises, the group creates classes with a purpose, one of which are directed towards getting the youth to be involved in physical fitness. These programs are geared towards toddlers and teens, each with their own workout plans and purpose.

2. Music-based

Victor Hugo said, “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Kids have a need to express themselves, and what better way than through music.

There are many cases where music has helped kids through tough times. When kids cannot say how they feel, they do it through music. Other than expression, it is also a means to calm raging emotions, usually present in teens. A music-based activity also teaches harmony between other people. Arranging classes to perform a concierto gives them a sense of purpose and responsibility. In addition, music has also been found to help students perform academically.

3. Literature-based

Organizing a book club can help youths love books and reading. While not many kids like reading, they at least have read a book or two that they can share within the club. Exercise and music help in physiological and cognitive development, reading enables kids to experience that of which are not physically present. For example, a place where they have not been to.

Reading can be pleasurable, even for teens. This is a habit that can be established when we give them books that interest them. Through a book club, teens can discuss each of their interests so that book sharing can be started.

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