Think “active” when buying gifts for the girls and women in your life. CAAWS has created a list of gift suggestions for girls and women of all ages and for all seasons; whether it’s a gift for the holidays, a birthday present or any other special occasion.
High rates of physical inactivity persist amongst Canadian girls and women, meaning they are missing out on the physical, psychological and social benefits of active living. Statistics Canada1 reports that only 4% of Canadian girls and young women meet the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, compared to 11% of boys and young men. Similarly, only 45% of women age 20 and over are getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (dropping from 57% in women aged 20-24 to 27% in women age 65+).3
Active Gifts for Girls
Get a dive set or goggles – whether you are swimming indoors or outdoors it is much more fun to see underwater without hurting your eyes and having something to go get at the bottom creates a challenge.
Soccer, football and basketball set – in sticking to the title of the article; improve coordination skills for kicking and throwing.
Snow tube or even more fun, a tandem snow tube – get out in the fresh air this winter and enjoy sliding down a snowy hill then challenge your fitness with the climb back up to do it again!
Take Olympic Boxer Mary Spencer as an inspiration and get a boxing punch and play set – this will develop strength and coordination.
Active Gifts for Young Women
Reflective arm band to wear during a walk or run that will keep her visible on the street; which can be purchased with the added feature to hold her mp3 player so she can stay motivated with good tunes!
A bike and helmet – which comes with the added advantage of not having to drive her everywhere!
Athletic wear so she is dressed for activity. Bright colours are fun and will keep her visible in dim lighting similar to the reflective arm band above.
Snow shoes, skates or skis to get active outdoors during winter months.
Active Gifts for Women
A session with a trainer, gift certificate to a class at the local gym/recreation centre, or a 3-month membership are great ways to kick-start a healthy routine or try something new.
Fitness DVDs so she can get a quick workout in with minimal equipment; an effective way to do a full-body workout at home.
Heart Rate Monitor tracks heart rate, calories burned, and workout time; great way to monitor intensity and keep you going.
Active Gifts for Women and their best friend
Stay visible out there while walking your buddy with a reflective vest and keep your dog by your side with a reflective leash; options include leashes that attaches to your waist keeping you hands free and provides a pouch to store needed items like keys and doggie bags.
Active Gifts for the family
A basketball net or hockey net for the driveway to shoot some hoops or pucks; don’t forget the ball!
Think of all the fun trips you could do as a family; skiing, canoe-camping, white-water rafting, hiking, skating, paddle boating etc. which are all great ways to treat that special female in your life while celebrating as a family.
Get tickets to a women’s sporting event; check out University varsity games or elite teams in your area.
References:
1. 2011 Canadian Community Health Survey (http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a47)
2. 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100113/dq100113a-eng.htm)
3. 2008 Physical Activity Monitor – Bulletin 02: Physical Activity Levels of Canadians (http://72.10.49.94/res_page/8)
