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Outdoor Kids Activities For Winters

16. November 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Outdoor activities have various benefits for kids. However, as most people prefer keeping the kids indoors during winters, the intake of fresh air becomes comparatively less. Stepping out into the chilly weather can be quite helpful, as it helps to increase the physical activity in the lazy winter months and improve their overall health.

Apart from good physical and mental health, kids can also have a great vacation by taking part in outdoor activities in winters. So bundle up, cover yourself and boost your immune system by indulging in the outdoor activities listed below:

Snowboarding & Skiing

Apart from building a snowman and fighting in the snow, skiing and snowboarding are the most commonly preferred winter sports. You can simply rent some sporting and safety gear and head out to the nearest mountain. There are specific ski stations as well where you can spend a great time with your kids.

Ice skating

Just like snowboarding and skiing, ice skating is another fun-filled activity that can serve as a great weekend solution in winter-season. In case you are looking for a thrilling experience, and you have a skating champion at home then ice skating it the thing for him.

Camping

An all season activity, camping in winters can be quite fun. All you need is some warm clothes, a cap and a cozy sleeping bag. Sitting around a bonfire and roasting some food on the fire is perfect for spending memorable time with family. Kids can learn a number of life-hacks through camping like setting up a tent, starting a fire and cooking. Share some scary stories, sing songs and have a fun evening in the warmth of the fire.

Hiking & Trekking

For a health boosting outdoor activity, traversing in the lap of nature can be highly satisfying and beneficial for physical as well as mental development of the kids. Simply carry a backpack and go uphill to experience nature’s tranquility. Kids can gain knowledge about a number of wild flowers, insects and a variety of birds. Carrying a camera can help budding photographers to click some breathtaking photographs that can be cherished for years to come.

Sports: Football & Basketball

These are all season sports and help kids learn team spirit as well as overall health. It helps burn calories, which becomes quite difficult in the winter months. Kids get to improve their motor skills and concentration by practicing these sports. Apart from being a great way to increase bone strength, football and basketball can boost the immune system as well. Parents can teach self-discipline to their kids by encouraging them to take part in sports. Since, these type of sports require vigorous activity, it can aid burning calories which in turn keep the body warm during winters.

Biking

For a solo activity, biking can be a great sport. It is a great cardio exercise and improves bone-strength. Biking aids physical growth and helps to develop stronger leg muscles. Parents can also accompany their kids to the biking trails in order to enjoy the beauty of nature together. It helps to lower stress and greatly improves mood.

Winters are expected to be cozy and lazy, but a little physical activity on a regular basis can help keep the kids active as well as in good health. Kids can spend their leisure hours by indulging in the outdoor activities listed above. Parents can also accompany the kids in activities like biking, hiking and trekking to build stronger bonds.

Drama Classes- Benefits For Kids

26. October 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Schools emphasize on a child’s ability to learn, read and write. There is no doubt that these basic skills are important, but communication skills must be given equal importance. Some children have the natural gift of being outspoken, whereas others may require a fairly good amount of appreciation and practice to develop their speech skills.

Being good at communication helps to make new friends, stand out in the crowd and become the teachers’ favorite. These reasons are enough to validate why drama classes are so important for kids with or without effective communication skills.

Drama teaches kids to speak clearly, loudly and with confidence. It also makes them more expressive and confident. They learn to maintain eye contact while speaking, instead of displaying those nervous mannerisms like looking at their feet or scratching their head.

Discussed below are some of the techniques which kids can learn through drama classes:

  • Use of tongue twisters and raps. The drama teachers know how to encourage clear diction. They make use of these warm up exercises to improve kids’ speech delivery.
  • How you say it matters too. To train the kids to be firm while speaking, certain games or discussions are included ‘in-between’ practice. These games help the kid to keep his opinion without any hesitation.
  • Role play. Drama requires kids to enact situations they have never faced before. This gives them experience and equips them for the life outside the school.

These techniques pour-in a number of benefits for kids engaged with drama. Some of the benefits have been discussed below:

  • Freedom of self-expression. Drama is a blend of facial expressions, voice modulation and body language. Kids can benefit by taking these skills beyond stage and using them in general communication. Ability to express is an art and kids learn this art profusely with drama.
  • Drama gives wings to your kid’s imagination. While portraying a character on stage, the kid’s imagination plays a huge role. It adds depth to a role and helps the child to perform better. This increases his creativity and helps him to perform better.
  • Confidence. There is no doubt that performing on stage is a confidence booster. Bringing out the emotions, delivering the dialogues with finesse and receiving applauds is enough to feel confident.
  • Team work. Drama helps to develop team spirit. Introvert kids can also face the audience better through drama. They can make new friends, have a bigger social circle and learn how to respect by working with elders and more talented people.
All in all, drama is a fun activity which helps to bring out hidden talents and also makes you popular!

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize TNT DramaMatters Afterschool, a drama education program for kids of all age groups. For more information, call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

How Kids Benefit From After-School Programs In Texas?

20. October 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Kids these days are often glued to the television sets, computers, cell phones etc. Thus, parents need to encourage them to indulge in activities that can foster their physical and mental development. Getting the kids enrolled in after-school activities is also a good way to help kids utilize their time and also enhance their skills.

Listed below are some benefits of after-school activities:

  • Explore the hidden talent of kids:  After-school activities can be beneficial in bringing out the hidden potential of your kid. Whether your kid is good at soccer or he is fond of painting, he can choose an activity that interests him. Some of the activities offered in after-school programs are dance, swimming, soccer, cheerleading, basketball etc.
  • Physical activities: Childhood obesity is one of the most rising issues these days. Hence, enrolling the kids in physical activities can help them channelize their energy in an effective manner. It can also improve their overall health. 
  • Inculcating healthy eating habits: Various child care centers organize programs to create awareness about healthy eating habits among kids.  The instructors guide them about the benefits of taking a nutritious diet. Thus, inculcating healthy habits in the kids from a very young age. 
  • Leadership skills: Sports and team building activities help to develop leadership skills among kids. Participating in student council or taking charge of supervision of activities can give the kids a raw experience of life outside the classroom. This can help to prepare the kids for college and professional life.
  • Creativity: For young artists, after school activities serve as a platform to show their out-of-the- box creativity. Kids can indulge in activities such as painting, drawing, photography etc. They can also be encouraged to participate in Arts/ Crafts fundraisers and exhibitions.
  • Time management. This is one of the most important skills that can be acquired through after-school activities. Kids learn how to create a balance between academics, sports, hobbies and self-study. 
  • Lowers stress. Learning a new skill helps to instill self-confidence among kids. Kids who do well in school teams have an elevated self-esteem. This encourages them to be out spoken and also helps them deal with behavioral problems as well.
Thus, after-school activities are fun and exciting. They help the kids with character building and prepares them for their professional life.  

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize a wide range of kids’ activities in Killeen, TX. For more information you can call at (254) 699 – 5808.

Cheerleading: Yells, Chants, Cheers And Fun!!

13. October 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Cheerleading is one of the most fabulous sports for kids which has gained a lot of popularity over the years. Cheerleaders boost up energy in the team and make the game even more interesting. The activity offers not only physical but various mental benefits for the kids. It is a great source of relaxation and channelizes the energy in a positive manner. Though becoming a cheerleader can be challenging, it has several advantages as well.       

Let's take a look at some of the advantages of enrolling your kid in a cheerleading program:

Helps in strength building

It requires a great amount of physical strength to perform tumbling and tossing. Lower body, shoulder and core muscles need to be very strong. They need to have a balanced control to bear the weight of the teammates while performing lifts. Cheerleading involves a wide range of physical activities such as tumbling, dancing, jumping etc. It acts a great cardio workout and helps in maintaining overall physical fitness of the kid.  It also builds stamina and physical endurance among the cheerleaders.

Increases flexibility

High kick baskets and jumps in cheerleading require a lot of flexibility. Thus, cheerleaders perform stretching exercises before and after the practice. This not only enhances mobility but also improves their posture. The warmup exercises strengthen the spine and reduce the chances of suffering from any muscle strains or sprains while performing. Having an increased flexibility is also known to be beneficial in decreasing stress levels in kids.

Boosts confidence

Performing in front of a large audience as well as receiving appreciation in the form of applauses can reduce stage-fear in kids.  Also, learning a new skill makes them stay ahead of the peers and enhances their self-esteem. It gives them a boost to perform their daily activities in a better way. There’s more to it, the thought of motivating the team can also boost self-confidence and imbibe optimism in the kids which can help them to achieve their goals.   

Enhances team building skills

Cheerleading is the best way of fostering relationships and enhancing team building skills. Motivating the team through ups and down helps in social interaction and is a great way to connect with other members. Cheerleaders always encourage their team to win and stay united.  They help in creating a positive environment and also enhance the social as well as leadership skills among the players. It helps in building trust among team members which is essential to ensure safety of all during the performance.  

Improves coordination

Cheerleading is an activity that is based on timing and rhythm. Since it requires to follow certain sequences and beats, cheerleaders can improve her body control, concentration as well as balance through the activity. For a good performance they need to be in tune with the other team members. Thus, practising this activity on a regular basis can help to improve coordination skills. Cheerleaders will become more disciplined by following a fixed schedule and paying attention to the instructor.  

Means of socialization

It is a perfect way to socialize as it provides the chance to meet other kids having similar interests. It helps in making new friends and improving social skills. Cheerleading is a fun activity which reduces depression and anxiety. It provides a break from the monotonous life and revitalizes energy. It not only helps in leading an active lifestyle but also prepares the cheerleaders to face new challenges.  

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize cheerleading programs for kids of age 7-12 years. The instructors at our club are well trained and provide personalized attention to each kid.  Registrations are open in July-August every year. For enrollment, you need to bring your kid’s birth certificate or Mil. ID. Candidates must live in KISD area or attend KISD schools. The participation fee is $25 and includes the rent of the uniform. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX - 76541.

Basketball: Health Benefits For Kids

20. September 2016 Administrator Kids Activities, Youth Basketball (0)
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the USA and offers a myriad of benefits of the children. As a result, many parents are enrolling their kids in the basketball leagues offered by the kids clubs in Texas. Getting your child learn basketball skills at a young age not only develops his basic coordination and team-building skills, but also lay the foundation for a physically active life. The continuous shooting, dribbling, passing and rebounding are a great form of exercise and help the players stay fit.

Given below are some of the health benefits kids can have by enrolling in a basketball league:

Builds Endurance

Basketball is a high intensity sport that can help the players to build endurance and improve cardiovascular health. The running, jumping and dribbling are a good workout for the entire body, which boosts aerobic capacity, energy levels as well as metabolism. Endurance building also keeps the heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.

Improves Strength And Motor Skills

Complete motor control is essential to pass and shoot the ball with precision during the game.  Repetitive practice enables the children to gain more control over their muscle forces and body movements. Strength training exercises are aimed at building deltoids, trapezii, neck, lower back and core muscles so that the player can defend himself when the opponent pushes against him. Shooting and running increase leg strength while dribbling builds up the muscles of hand, arm as well as wrist.

Burns Calories

Playing basketball gives you a high impact aerobics exercise that helps to burn a lot of calories. All the running, jumping and lateral movements involved in the game are a fun way to promote physical activity as well as keep childhood obesity at bay. An hour of basketball can burn around 600 to 900 calories, depending upon the weight of the child and intensity of the game.

Increases Ankle Stability

The game involves several movements that work to increase the strength of the lower limbs. Pivoting, multi-directional running, twisting, back and forth movements etc. employ the muscles, tendons, ligaments as well as other structures surrounding the ankle joint. When kids participate in basketball leagues, they are trained to maintain the stability of the ankle to maintain balance during all these movements. It not only increases joint stability but also reduces the risk of injuries.  

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes different basketball leagues for kids of 2nd to 6th grade. For details about the enrollment procedure, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the kids club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541. 

Health Skills Programs For Growing Kids

13. September 2016 Administrator Child Care (0)
Health skills programs are very essential for the emotional, physical and social development of the kids. They also help to improve and maintain physical fitness.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a leading child care center organizing a wide range of health skills programs for kids of all age groups. The club aims at helping the kids make right nutritional choices while avoiding any health risks.
Listed below are the health skills programs organized by the club:

  • Cavity-Free Zone: This program is developed for kids of age 6-15 years with an aim to increase awareness about good oral hygiene and dental health. It includes various fun-filled and engaging sessions for the members. The club offers a broad spectrum of games and interactive activities which help the kids increase their knowledge about oral health. The program is sponsored by Crest.   
  • SMART Moves: This comprehensive program aims at helping young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Various group activities are organized which help in enhancing leadership and life skills.  Other programs organized under SMART Moves include SMART kids, Start SMART and Stay SMART for kids of different age groups.    
  • SMART Girls: It is designed to enhance self-esteem of girls aged 8-17 years. The club organizes a wide range of kids activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities to help adult women stay physically fit. Funded by David and Lucile Packard Foundation, this program helps the girls develop positive relationship with peers as well as adults.     
  • SMART Leaders: The main objective of this program is to reinforce the skills and knowledge learnt in SMART Moves. It encourages the kids to help their peers and develop resistance against alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. It also helps to instill leadership skills among the members.
  • Passport To Manhood: The program comprises of 14 sessions which revolve around different aspects of manhood. The staff engages young boys (11 and 14 years) in discussion activities related to responsibilities, code of conduct, behavior etc.
  • Triple Play's Healthy Habits: The club organizes this program to incorporate healthy living and active learning among kids of age 6-15 years. Triple Play's Healthy Habits encourages the youth to include good nutrition and physical activities in their daily regime. It aims at improving overall health of the kids.  
For more information about the health skills programs organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808.

Tutoring Programs In Killleen, Texas

6. September 2016 Administrator Tutoring (0)
After-school tutoring programs can not only help in developing new learning strategies but also improve educational productivity of the students. These programs aim at enhancing the academic performance and self confidence among them.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes after-school tutoring programs for kids aged between 6 and 18 years. The club helps to boost the educational as well as practical skills of students.   

Tutoring programs offered by the club include:

  • Project Learn: This program aims at improving the skills and knowledge which the kids acquire from their school. It includes activities such as leisure reading, writing, homework help etc. Games such as scrabble are also organized to help the kids boost their cognitive abilities. The program is beneficial in providing a stimulating learning environment for kids of age 6 to 18 years.    
  • Power Hour: Making Minutes Count: In this program, kids are provided homework help and complete guidance to improve their academic grades. The staff encourages the kids to keep a track of their progress and become self-directed learners. Kids aged between 6 and 16 years can enroll in this program.  
  • Skill Tech I: The technology program helps in improving the basic computer skills of kids. The staff helps the kids gain proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and other productivity software. The program is sponsored by Microsoft to provide engaging lessons and projects for kids of different age groups.  
  • Skill Tech II: The program is designed to teach advanced computer hardware and networking skills of kids aged 6 to 18 years. The staff uses animated and interactive tutorials to impart practical computer knowledge. The club also organizes various instructor- led group activities for kids
  • Goals For Graduation: The staff encourages the kids to set their goals by linking the future aspirations with present actions. The program helps the students identify their short as well as long term goals and work on them accordingly. The staff formulates comprehensive guidance strategy to help the members achieve their highest dreams. This program is sponsored by JCPenney Afterschool Fund for kids aged 6-15 years.  
Enroll your child in tutoring programs offered by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas. For more information, you can call us at (254) 699 - 5808 or visit our club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541. 

After-School Activities In Texas

19. August 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
After-school activities have various physical, social and mental benefits for kids. These activities not only improve their academic performance but also assist in exploring their hidden potential and building leadership skills among children.

There are many kids clubs in Texas offering an interesting mix of options for after-school activities. Depending on the interest of your child, you can enroll him in any activity such as sports, art and craft, health and hygiene or tutoring program.

Discussed below are some of the benefits of after-school activities for kids:

  • Help in keeping children physically fit: After-school activities are a great way to help the children in improving their physical fitness. These days, most kids spend a lot of time in front of electronic gadgets and refrain from going outdoors. However, enrolling your children in a sports program will not only keep them physically fit but also promote teamwork and leadership skills.
  • Develop creativity: Some of the most interesting after-school activities involve art and craft as well as music. The activities give a creative outlet to children and allow them to express their emotions, utilize their curiosity in a productive manner and develop problem solving skills. By discovering their hidden talents and abilities, children gain a lot of confidence which is a crucial aspect of personality development.
  • Build self-esteem: After-school activities provide the children a great opportunity to hone their skills in a relaxed setting without any pressure. Getting a grip on new things and mastering them makes children more confident and builds their self-esteem. This is a useful personality trait which proves to be very beneficial in the future.
  • Release stress: Children can often get stressed due to the academics or peer pressure at school. After-school activities are performed in a relaxed environment where there is no such pressure on the kids. They are allows to be their own self and do what they want to. This releases stress and calms the mind so that children can learn new things more easily. They develop social skills and shed their inhibitions by interacting with other kids.
  • Inculcate teamwork: After-school activities make the kids realize the importance of teamwork. They also learn important lessons about sportsmanship spirit and healthy competition. Children also understand that participation is more important than winning and they should take defeat in their stride. Giving their best performance is more important without worrying about the result.
  • Improve academic performance: Involvement in after-school activities also helps in improving grades and overall academic performance. The general behavior and work habits of children tend to show a positive growth as a result of engaging in extracurricular activities.
Enroll your child in the after-school activities organized at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas for his overall development. We offer various educational, art, sports, character and leadership programs for kids aged 6 to 18 years. For more information, you can call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Educational Activities For Kids In Central Texas

12. August 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Enrolling your kids in educational programs can not only sharpen their cognitive abilities but also develop their interest in academics. These activities instill a sense of self-actualization and help them become better learners.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes various educational activities for kids of different age groups. These activities aim at improving their academic and practical skills. The staff at the club identifies the kids’ strengths as well as weaknesses and suggest ways to work upon the weak areas.

Listed below are various educational activities organized by the kids club in Texas:

  • Project Learn: This program aims at boosting the academic performance of kids aged between 6 and 18 years. It includes activities such as leisure reading, writing, homework help etc.  Kids can also discuss all their doubts and queries with the staff. Stimulating games such as scrabble are also organized to improve cognitive abilities of kids.   
  • Goals For Graduation: Kids of age group 6-15 years are taught to set achievable goals. Their daily action plans are linked to their future aspirations. The staff creates specific strategies to help the kids achieve their short and long term goals.     
  • Power Hour: Kids aged between 6 and 16 years can participate in this program. The staff provides complete tutoring and homework help to improve their academic grades. They also motivate the kids to keep a track of their progress so that they become self-directed learners.
  • Career Launch: The club encourages kids aged between 13 and 18 years of age to explore their hidden skills. This can help them make an informed decision regarding their career. The staff also provides practical job hunting advice to kids.
  • Junior Staff Career Development: In this program, various activities are organized to help the kids of age group 11-18 years explore the career options in youth and human services. Field trips to other service organizations prepare the youth to become a volunteer leader.  
  • Skill Tech: This program helps the kids aged between 6 and 18 years to learn practical computer skills. The staff uses innovative and animated tutorials to enhance networking skills. They help the kids become well-acquainted with word processing, spread sheets and other productivity software.
  • Money Matters: The club aims at developing basic money management skills among children of age group 13-18 years. The staff members provide effective tips to manage a checking account, create a budget as well as save and invest for college.  They also help the kids learn about starting a small business.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a renowned child care center in Killeen, TX organizing a wide range of educational activities for kids. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 - 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Why Enroll Your Kids In Art Activities

5. August 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Art activities play an important role in developing the cognitive skills and creative abilities of kids. School education mainly focuses on improving academic grades but it is equally essential to let the kids explore their artistic side and develop their personality. There are numerous kids clubs in Texas that offer engaging art classes for kids in different age groups.

Given below are some benefits of enrolling your kids in art activities:

  • Develops motor skills: Painting and drawing promote the development of fine motor skills in children. Motor skills are crucial for daily activities such as reading, writing, tying shoelaces, buttoning or unbuttoning the shirt, etc. Therefore, engaging your child in art activities will polish his motor skills which will help him in various other activities as well.
  • Enhances Math skills: When children are involved in art activities, they get introduced to new concepts such as sizes, shapes and angles. Learning about these is helpful in improving mathematics skills. Children discover how to make comparisons between various objects, memorize numbers and even learn the basics of spatial reasoning.
  • Improves problem-solving abilities: Art activities help children develop problem-solving abilities. They also promote the improvement of sensory awareness and manual agility. This is because different art activities involve observing certain things and then recreating them. Combining imagination with reality encourages out-of-the-box thinking which is essential for overall development of the child.
  • Relieves stress: The pressure of academics in school can sometimes become overbearing for kids and it is important to give them a break from the monotony of books. Indulging in art activities frees their mind from the burden of studies. They get to experience creative freedom in an art class which may not be possible when they are at school.
  • Perfect way to utilize free time: It is best to get kids enrolled in art activities in a kids club if you want to channelize their energy in a positive direction. This is one of the best ways to put their free time to use and contribute to their overall personality development. Various art programs are offered by kids clubs in Texas and you can choose the one according to your child’s interest.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes various art programs for kids aged between 6 and 18 years. For details about enrollment, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.