Where it's always warm in Kitsap

It's the age of video games and corn starch. If keeping your family healthy and active weren’t difficult already, you now have dreams of sugarplums to battle.

Giving the kids an outlet for their energy in warmer months is easy. But the task is no child’s play when winter sets in.

Research shows youngsters burn as few as half as many calories in the winter as they do during summer. It’s a worrisome revelation, as childhood obesity rates soar.

Solve the problem

Jimmy-rig the couch pillows to make a fort, deal out a neighborhood scavenger hunt or do your worst to some propped-up firewood and hold a homemade bowling competition. There are more than a few cures for cabin fever. And if you run out of space in-house, Kitsap offers a collection of activity prime for winter months.

Any knowing parent will tell you, take the kids to the Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center, you’ll bring them home tired. It boasts not one, but two pools, a 180-foot water slide, a “lazy river” (swim with the current for fun during open swim, or against the current for exercise during lap swim), a sloped play beach and toddler pool, along with a spa, lap swim facilities and diving boards.

Likewise, the North Kitsap Pool keeps things running year-round, including swim camps during winter break and LID days, when kids are excused from school.

“The pool’s the warmest place in the city, I’m pretty sure of that,” contended pool coordinator Jake DeVries. The swim camps, which were only held in summertime until last year, were added as a way to meet community needs and bring in revenue for the facility. It faced looming closure at the time. The camps give kids ages 5-11 two hours of exercise per half-day session, including pool play and a swim lesson, along with arts and crafts, movies, games and snacks. It’s an added benefit over traditional day care, DeVries said. Costs run between $30 and $50. Register by calling (360) 598-1070. South and Central Kitsap pools also run year-round.

Yvonne Tomascak, marketing manager for the Kitsap Mall, said parents have plenty of kid-friendly options if they’re headed in for shopping. Programs including storytelling, caroling and face painting begin today, when Mrs. Claus will read to kids. Santa’s leading lady will be back to read again Dec. 18. In the meantime, holiday face painting will be held Dec. 4, and Victorian carolers will descend upon shoppers Dec. 11. Entertainment will usually be held Fridays between about 4-7 p.m.

Tomoscak also said the Periscope Play Area, an under-the-sea themed indoor playground, is a great occupation for little ones under the age of 6.

“There isn’t a time where I don’t see 20 to 30 kids in there,” she said. The soft play place holds a submarine, crab and boat for little ones to climb. (Just a reminder: none of the programs are designed to be babysitting services, and parents should supervise at all times.)

Find more soggy adventure at Keyport’s Naval Undersea Museum, where a cave, jellyfish and torpedoes meet inquisitive minds. The museum offers learning on undersea research, ships and submarines. To find out more, call (360)396-4148.

Stay in a Navy mood and climb aboard the U.S.S. Turner Joy, a restored Navy destroyer on the Bremerton waterfront. The massive floating museum offers hours of exploration. Navigate gun mounts, ladders and hatches as you find your way from captain’s quarters to the crew’s galley, and enjoy a walk on deck.

This is no myth: Take the kids for a free adventure back in time at KiDiMu, where Greek mythology comes to life. This Sunday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m., visitors can embark on a project in Hephaestus’ workshop. Info: (206) 855-4650.

Have a favorite wintertime activity you’d like to share? Send it in to WhatsUp@northkitsapherald.com or give us a call at (360) 779-4464.

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