Heart Healthy Fun!

Here are some fun links with heart facts, activities, and games for kids! Celebrate American Heart Month with them!

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mheartpeacock.htm

http://www.akidsheart.com/

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=152&id=1446

http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/heart.html

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/ActivitiesforKids/Activities-for-Kids_UCM_304155_SubHomePage.jsp

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003754

http://www.surfnetkids.com/heart.htm

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/hco/free_printables/kids-valentines-day-activities-free-printables-cute-valentines-day-kids-healthy-nutrition-foods-fun-coloring-activities-worksheets

http://blisstree.com/feel/songs-and-games-for-a-healthy-heart-364/

Recipes:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_eating_kids

http://www.healthyfridge.org/kidsrec.html

Cute idea from: http://www.kidactivities.net/

FEBRUARY IS 'AMERICAN HEART MONTH'! PLAN A HEALTHY HEART DAY!
Celebrate a “healthy” heart with fun, aerobic activities that get children up and moving. You may want to set up several skill stations;

STATIONS CAN INCLUDE:

♥ STEP AEROBOCS STATION: Set up four or five step aerobic steppers and music.

♥ HEALTHY HEART EXERCISES: Demonstrate several aerobic exercises and have children perform three aerobic exercises of their choice at this station (ie. jumping jacks, jumping rope, jogging in place)

♥ CHOLESTEROL: Pictures of both high and low cholesterol foods are taped down. Children throw beanbags underhand from a throw line at low cholesterol foods.

♥ BLOOD PRESSURE: Make a sign that says “normal blood pressure 120/80” and tape down pictures of things that can raise blood pressure such as smoking, unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and stress. Children THROW BEANBAGS UNDERHAND from a throw line at the things that will raise blood pressure. (You can put point values on targets and total points)

♥ A HEALTHY BUT YUMMY SNACK TABLE at culmination of activity.

♥ Divide the children into groups and disperse them evenly among the stations. Place them in a numerical order and have them keep this order for all stations. Set the number of tries for each turn and announce when it is time to rotate to the next station. Leave ample space between stations and advise children not to stand in the throwing areas.