Do you struggle to get your children off their computers and out to play?
How about turning their favourite Disney film into an adventure?
#HealthilyEverAfter is Disney’s new campaign to inspire life-long healthier behaviours in families through story-telling, imagination, fun and play.
Getting the kids outdoors on a daily basis is not only good for their health as visits to the beach, building dens, jumping in muddy puddles and having stick sword fights is also good for their immune system, as when the children come into contact with dirt in a natural way (outside) and on a regular basis, they are less likely to develop autoimmune disorders and allergies but being out in the cool air can help bring down temperatures and make them feel better.”
Why not transport the kids to Neverland and use Peter Pan and Captain Hook as inspiration for a day at the beach?
We love the animated Peter Pan film and the visions of Peter, Wendy, Tinkerbell and the boys zooming across the rooftops of London make our kids want to take flight. Add in the drama of pirates out at sea and who can resist?”
“A-Ha Me Hearties, there be a ship of pirates anchored off Never Land, commanded by Captain Hook with his sidekick, Mr. Smee” – can you see them in the distance?
Children’s imaginations never fail to astound me and just a line like this will trigger their imaginations. You can tailor your story to your surroundings and even continue it over days and weeks. Perhaps you have to hide from Captain Hook, or learn to fly like Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. Where do they live? – perhaps build a den with a special small room for tiny Tinkerbell.
You could even take the story to a port or a museum and climb aboard a Pirate Ship. See where the Pirates slept, be surprised at how heavy a cannonball is and pretend to fire at the enemy!
Perhaps Pocahontas is more your style. She once said that it’s important to “run the hidden pine trails of the forest” and “taste the sunsweet berries of the Earth” so why not teach the children to appreciate nature. You don’t have to go far to find nature, even your back garden can be a treasure trove of mini beasts, but running free in a park and feeling the wind through your hair is exhilarating.
Pocahontas believed that “forests are a playground” and “why bother with walking when you can roll down every open hill?” I like her style! We adore days out to the forest, building dens, playing with sticks, climbing trees and of course rolling down the biggest hill we can find!
Living #HealthilyEverAfter isn’t just about play – check out this short video for more inspiration on this new campaign from Disney.
I understand that with the recent weather it is not always easy to get them outside, but if you see a break in the rain, even for a few minutes, it is better than nothing to get that little bit of fresh air. We are now hoping for some snow so we can recreate our favourite Frozen moments and have been practising climbing our version snowy mountains, which although indoors, was a great way to get rid of all that excess energy!
This post is part of Disney’s #HealthilyEverAfter campaign with BritMums, sponsored by Disney. Share your stories and be inspired at DisneyHealthyLiving.co.uk and live Heathily Ever After (#HealthilyEverAfter).
What a great campaign by Disney! #HealthilyEverAfter sounds like a good initiative 🙂 we try and get out as much as possible too x Make believe is such an important part of our outdoor adventures. Love your beach photos! Captain Hook better be scared 😉
Brilliant idea, I love it. I do find it gets harder as they get older though – pulling my eldest away from his computer gets trickier!!
I think anything that we and the brands they engage with can do to help the next generation be healthier is a fabulous thing. Mich x
What a brilliant campaign. I am slowly introducing my girls to the classics. So far my Toddler is stuck on Frozen (is any toddler not?!) but she also likes Oliver and Company and The Little Mermaid.
This is a brilliant idea, and you’re right, kids imaginations are amazing.
What a great idea. In fairness to my little ones, it doesn’t take much at all to get them outdoors but I totally understand that as children get older, they do get more attached to tech and more reluctant to get out and about so I’m sure this would be a great way to get them active.x
Such a great idea. I love using the kids imaginations along side exercise by making up stories as we go.
Ah Disney, great for so many things, we have been outside this morning building a snowman and my toddler loves to run around and sing like Belle does in Beauty and the Beast! =)
Awesome idea. Lids imagination is very important and we all should encourage it.
I meant Kids instead of Linds 🙂
What a great campaign! I find it very difficult to get my teens outside, but this would have worked when they were younger.
What a great campaign. My kids were devastated this morning that the snow wasn’t very deep but they still went out and started making snow creatures.
What a great idea for a campaign – my two are always happy to get outdoors in the nice weather but not so much over the Winter x
This is an amazing idea. Wr try and get outdoors as much as we can too. Love your photos x
I believe that anything that encourages kids to get outdoors is a great thing. Your kids seem to thrive outdoors. Mine spend a load of time today playing football outside. In fact Maxi’s hands wee blue when he came home!
This is a great campaign – we love getting outdoors whenever we can. Your photos are lovely! Kaz x
Really inspirational post giving lots of great ideas for fun and learning too. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part.
What a brilliant campaign – really impressed that Disney are putting hteir name to it, such a great idea.