Parks and Rec Director’s Column: Keeping Kids Active Through the Winter

Here at Boulder Parks and Recreation (BPR), we love winter for the magic of a snow-covered park and the joy of having folks flock to our indoor facilities to move, connect and play. For the young people in our community, we hope winter means they are finding new and fun ways to keep moving and have fun.

We can help! Here are some ideas to keep the fun flowing and kids active through the winter:

• The community lounge and ninja studio at South Boulder Recreation Center: The lounge is a fun place to hang out, play games like foosball or ping pong, and ride a stationary bike. The ninja studio lets kids climb, jump, crawl and practice their parkour skills.
• The gymnastics center at North Boulder Recreation Center: We have classes, drop-in times for adults and kids, and birthday party packages.
• Our three recreation centers have even more ways for kids to move with racquetball, basketball, weightlifting, indoor tennis and dance.
• The temperature is just right at our recreation centers for indoor swimming. We have lap lanes, leisure pools, opportunities for warm water wellness and hot tubs. Our older kids love the drop slide open Saturday afternoons at North.
• We have over 80 parks and public spaces for kids to play freely – they can sled, build a snow fort, have a winter scavenger hunt and more.
• When school’s out, bring them into North for “day off” camp. Campers will enjoy a day packed with games, crafts, swimming and the opportunity to make new friends.
• Watch for more information soon about the annual “Sweetheart Dance” on February 8, 2025 where kids can dance, do crafts, play in the gymnastics area and have fun with their adults.

As we wind down the year and look ahead to 2025, we’re planning great deals to keep you healthy in the new year with BPR.

Watch for a sale on monthly memberships and training packages. These will help you to find your community at a BPR recreation facility, whether you’re new to us or movement is already a part of your lifestyle. BPR facilities are a place to move and play your way!

We’re also putting together a New Year’s event at East Boulder Community Center on Saturday, January 11, 2025. We’ll have sample fitness and dance classes, a mini wellness fair, and other programs/services to support you in achieving and maintaining your health and fitness in the new year! Look for more information about the event at our rec centers and at BPRFitness.org.

We know that in the past few years there has been an increase in anxiety and depression among Boulder teens and youth. While good mental and physical health are necessary for a high quality of life for folks of all ages, we are eager to promote the health and well-being of the young people in our community to set them up for a joyful and healthy life.