Kids Activities At Boys And Girls Clubs Of Central Texas (2025)

Teach Your Kids Proper Dental Care

19. April 2012 Administrator (0)

In addition to all the things that we teach our children, proper dental care is the most important one. It will not only ensure healthy gums and teeth but also keep serious medical issues at bay as they get older. Basic dental care involves brushing teeth, flossing them and getting regular check ups. Consistency is very important as far as oral care is concerned. Parents should inculcate in their kids the habit of brushing twice daily for the best oral health.

Children pick up most of the habits by observing their parents. So, parents should set an example of good dental care for their kids. The foundation of healthy permanent teeth is laid during the first years of life. Poor habits of food intake and inadequate tooth brushing during the first two years of life have been shown to be related to tooth decay in children. Therefore it is crucial to establish a proper dental care regimen early in life to ensure the development of healthy and strong teeth.

Importance of oral hygiene:

  • Lays the foundation for the development of strong and healthy permanent teeth.
  • Good oral health prevents diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory diseases and even cancer in adulthood.
  • Protects your child from the wrath of painful toothaches and consequent costly dental treatments.
  • Healthy teeth enable a child to eat and speak better.
  • Keep bad breath away.

Tips for proper dental care:

  • Encourage your child to brush twice daily. Show them how to maneuver the toothbrush around their mouths and the amount of tooth paste they require. A pea-size drop is ideal.
  • In addition to brushing, floss your child’s teeth daily to remove plaque from between the teeth and gums. Show your child how to wrap it around his or her fingers and fit it between each and every tooth, gently cleaning between them all.
  • Make sure your child develops the habit of eating a well balanced diet that’s limited on starchy and sugary foods.
  • Take your child for regular dental checkups to the dentist. He will be able to teach your children proper dental care with illustrations.
  • Teach your child not to swallow the paste.
  • Brush the inside surface of each tooth first with a soft bristled toothbrush. Then clean the outer surfaces of each tooth gently back and forth.
  • Even brush the tongue.

The Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas’s ‘Cavity-Free Zone’ program aims to spread awareness about good oral hygiene amongst kids in order to improve their dental health. The program includes a lot of fun activities for Club members of the age groups 6-9, 10-12 and 13-15.

If you are interested in enrolling your kids in the Cavity-Free Zone program, kindly visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Child Care Texas - Boys And Girls Club Texas - Tutoring Texas

The Importance Of Public Speaking For Kids

12. April 2012 Administrator (0)

Public speaking is a skill that will benefit your child throughout his or her life. It’s very important for parents to encourage their kids to shed any inhibitions of speaking in front of a group of people. This can be a great opportunity for your child’s growth. It is a great confidence booster and a useful skill in every sphere of life.

Children are naturally fearful of new situations. A good way of helping them overcome such hesitation can be speaking on a favorite topic. They can be told to jot down a few points on the topic. This will help in organizing their thoughts. Create a relaxed environment and display an air of confidence that shares their warmth and enthusiasm about speaking. This can be a fun experience for both parents and children.

Public speaking can be beneficial for kids in the following ways:

  • Prepares a child for the future: Good public speaking skills enable one to get the best jobs. Children who are encouraged to speak in public tend to grow into confident adults who perform well in job interviews. This makes their future secure. Even as students, they perform well in debating groups and student organizations.
  • Sheds inhibitions: Children are full of self doubt and fear especially when exposed to unfamiliar situations. However, if tactfully taught to overcome this fear, they can lose such inhibitions at an early age. With practice and patience, parents can help their children cope with their anxieties. Research shows that kids who speak confidently perform better in class. They are proficient in presenting projects, ideas and arguments in front of their classmates.
  • Boosts confidence: Public speaking increases the feelings of self worth in a child. When a child feels his opinion is appreciated, he develops immense confidence. This confidence kills any sort of hesitation and nervousness when in a public setting. You can even get your child involved in hobby classes at school to help him or her open up with other children. Such experiences greatly boost a child’s self worth.
  • Better language skills: Good public speaking involves formulating ideas, coming up with cohesive arguments, answering questions spontaneously and using persuasive sentences. These are skills that are beneficial to a child in school and even at work in adulthood. Kids with superior communication skills can excel in the field of media and can eventually critique books and other documents effectively.

We at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas run several programs to foster leadership, personal growth and public speaking qualities in your kid. To get your child enrolled in any of these programs or for any related query, visit us at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Child Care Texas - Tutoring Texas - Boys And Girls Club Texas

Volleyball: The Best Sports For Kids

5. April 2012 Administrator (0)

There are no two ways to the fact that sports are good for kids, and kids who play any form of sport benefit in a several ways, both at the physical level, as well as mentally. Volleyball has always been a popular sport among both young boys and girls. It is one of those sports that has been passed on from generation to generation in most American families, with the kids learning the basics from their parents, most of whom have played the sport at some point in their lives. Playing volleyball is an indulgence that you can allow your kids to have, without any guilt, since it is about the best form of physical activity that they can be involved in.

Talking of the benefits of playing volleyball for children, this sport provides a great workout for the upper-arm muscles as well as for the abdominal muscles. It also increases the vertical jump, and is excellent for toning the leg muscles. The overall effect of playing volleyball on a child is a healthy body, with more muscle mass, and less fat accumulation. This ensures that the child does not become obese during his teenage years. The sport also increases the flexibility and endurance of the players.

In addition to the aforementioned physical benefits of the sport, it also improves the reflexes and hand-eye coordination of the children. Moreover, being a team sport, it inculcates team spirit in children, which is a great quality for life. It also makes them learn the importance of setting goals and working towards achieving them. Children who begin to play volleyball at junior school learn the benefits of hard work at an early age. Even if their team does not win the match, they are able to witness the effect of their dedication in their individual performance.

Parents can also use volleyball practice as a way to inculcate various other values in their children. They can be taught how to gracefully accept both failure and success in life, as well as learn the importance of being empathetic to those who are at the shorter end of the stick. In addition, volleyball clubs at school serve as a great way for kids to socialize, which is yet another benefit of playing volleyball. If your kid is still looking for the one sport to participate in, volleyball is definitely an option worth exploring!

We at Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas conduct Volleyball league. This league is open to boys as well as girls between the ages of 9 and 12 years. However, all participants must either attend or live within the KISD school district.

For more details, visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Youth Football Texas - Child Care Texas

Tackle Football: A Fun and Healthy Game For Your Kids

26. March 2012 Administrator (0)

Kids need recreational games more than ever. Considering the poor lifestyle habits kids are falling prey to these days, it’s imperative that they indulge in one form of sports or the other. Tackle football is one such game that is fun to play in addition to being very beneficial for the overall health of your child. It’s a pretty tough sport and can be intimidating at first. It’s a physical game and can be played by kids as young as five years old. If your child has a natural inclination towards football, then this is the best game to start with.

Tackle football is a great way to keep your kid in shape and busy when having some leisure time. It’s a physically challenging game which keeps children active and agile. There’s a lot of running involved which develops stamina and strength of muscles. In addition to this, the sudden change in direction and movements involved assist children in developing speed, explosiveness and overall physical strength. It also develops the coordination skills involved in running, catching, kicking and throwing and improves the concentration of a child.

Kids are full of energy. If idle, the can misuse this energy and get involved in mischievous acts. Games like tackle football give your child an opportunity to channelize excessive energy. It’s better than the lame trend of playing video games and snacking on junk food after school. Tackle football like all other forms of sports develops teamwork skills and communication skills. These skills will prove to be very beneficial in your child’s adolescent years and adulthood. It’s a wonderful platform for a child to develop the concept of team spirit.

Some parents are apprehensive about the injuries involved in tackle football. For such parents, it’s important to note that kids are provided with special equipment before starting the game. The equipment usually includes a football helmet, face mask, mouth piece to protect the teeth, shoulder pads and pads for the thighs, hips, knees and tailbone. So, you can be rest assured that your child is safe while playing the game. There is always a coach present who guides the kids and is well versed with the first aid in case of any injury. All in all, tackle football is a great contact sport that’s sure to boost your child’s confidence levels and general well being.

We at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas offer three tackle football leagues for kids:

  • The NCAA League: For boys aged 7-8 years old who weigh 60-100 lbs. and 9 year olds 60-74 lbs.
  • The AFC League: For boys who age 9 years and weigh 75-120 lbs, 10 years old who weigh 70-110 lbs and 11 years old who weighs 75-89 lbs.
  • The NFC League: For boys between the ages 11-12 weighing 90-140 lbs and 10 year olds who weigh 111-140 lbs.

To get your child enrolled in any of these league or for any related query, visit us at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Kids Activities Texas - Youth Football Texas

Role Of Sports In Your Kid’s Life

19. March 2012 Administrator (0)

The famous proverb “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy” holds true not only for jack but for every kid in this world. Sports activities are essential for the physical as well as mental development of a child. If they do not play regularly, their bodies tend to become very weak. Besides fitness, sports activities also inculcate various qualities like self confidence, decision making, dedication, discipline and responsibility into the kids.

Sports like football, baseball, basket ball, volleyball, swimming or even cheerleading involve loads of physical activities which strengthen and tone up the muscles and bones in the body. Also, team sports make them learn to work in groups. They learn that if their team wins, “they” win and if their team loses, “they “lose. They learn to work in groups, which helps them in building healthy relationships with their co-workers in future and also makes them work in harmony with others.

Sports play a crucial role in making your kid mentally strong. They start to understand that there are times when they lose a match and also are times when they win. This enables them to learn that both success and failure are a part and parcel of life. Besides this, kids also become mentally strong to be able to face tough competition and be fearless when facing the adversities.

Another benefit of sports in your kid’s life is that, he will be able to utilize his time in a constructive manner. Rather than getting involved in wrong habits or falling in bad company, the kid will be able to use his energy in a constructive manner. Participating in sports activities also boosts up kid’s immune system and prevents them from any kind of infections and or disease occurring. Further, it also helps in increasing his appetite.

We at Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas take great pride in organizing various sports and recreational activities for your kids. Some of the sports programs we undertake here involve Tackle Football, Basketball, volleyball, Track and Cheerleading. For more details, visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Youth Football Texas - Child Care Texas

Basketball Game For Kids

12. March 2012 Administrator (0)

Basketball is ranked as one of the most popular sports in the world. The game is all about shooting a ball through a hoop. It’s an extremely fast and exciting game, which is very popular among kids. It can be played both indoors and outdoors and makes it an all year round game. Children in the age group of four to eight years can work on dribbling, passing and catching. Older ones can practice shooting too. The size of the court, basket height and length of time can be varied according to the age, size and skill of the players.

It’s a very good game for kids as it encourages them to move around and stay active. Basketball involves a lot of running and jumping which helps kids develop speed, strength and cardiovascular health. In addition to this, it burns calories and keeps the body lean. For parents fighting with child obesity, this can be the most appropriate solution. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet, a game like basketball keeps children fit and agile and is fun to play at the same time.

Benefits of basketball for kids:

  • Builds endurance
  • Improves balance and coordination
  • Develops concentration
  • Burns calories
  • Build muscles
  • Encourages socializing
  • Instills the concept of team spirit

Nowadays kids area drifting towards sedentary activities like computer games and watching TV. This is highly detrimental to their overall well being as it can lead to obesity and other lifestyle diseases. Games like basketball keep a child active and are entertaining too. What’s more, your kid develops a lot of confidence each time he/she makes it to the basket. Kids even get to interact with each other and learn the art of developing team spirit over and above a competitive attitude. This will be very beneficial for them as they grow into adults.

While kids play basketball, injuries and accidents are a common phenomenon as it’s a fast paced game. Parents need not frown over this as it’s a very small price to pay in exchange of the immense benefits the game has to offer for the overall development of a child. It is important to make sure your child does a little warm up exercises and stretching before hitting the court. After a game, it’s equally important to cool down and stretch again. Last but not the least, your child should keep fluids handy and rehydrate regularly.

We at Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas conduct Co-Ed Basketball registration which begins from December 3 and ends on December 13. To get your kid registered in the same, kindly visit the Woody Hall Unit located at 5100 Trimmier Road in Killeen between 3pm and 7pm from Monday to Friday and between 10am and 3pm on Saturday.

For more details, visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Youth Football Texas - Kids Activities Texas

Teaching Money Management Skills To Children

1. March 2012 Administrator (0)

“Money does not grow on trees” might be the perfect lesson for life to teach your children. However, this lesson is not quite as easy to teach, as it is to say. It takes years of setting rules, reasoning out with your kids, and helping to practically implement money management skills, before you can safely hand over a stash of notes to your teens, knowing that they will be in safe hands. No age is too early to begin imparting these valuable skills to your little ones, and you can start with children as young as two.

The following tips should help you get your way around bringing out the smart shopper in your child, but remember that you will needs lots of patience and perseverance to actually achieve your goal.

  • Start giving your child a weekly allowance: You can follow the thumb-rule of a dollar multiplied by your child’s age, per week to decide the amount of allowance that is suitable for your child.
  • Teach them how to divide their money into different jars: Help your child to divide his/her money into different jars, labelled ‘charity’, ‘quick cash’, ‘middle-term goals’, and ‘long-term goals’, or anything else you can think of.
  • Involve them in the grocery shopping experience: Right from making a shopping list to sticking to it at the grocery store, and looking out for the best prices, grocery shopping is one of the best ways to teach your child how to manage money.
  • Be a good role model: It’s simple- your child will mimic your money-spending habits; splurge and he’ll splurge, save and he’ll save!
  • Inculcate the reward feeling of a hard-won goal: Even if you can afford something that your child really wants, do not buy it right when she asks for it. Let your child anticipate the reward, so that she can value it when she finally gets it.
  • Play board games that involve money: Board games that involve fake money, like monopoly, are a great way to make your child learn the importance of saving, and get a feeling of handling money.
  • Let them take charge occasionally: Get your child involved in processes like planning a vacation, letting them do the research, make bookings, and take important decisions. This will instil in them the much-needed confidence to be world-ready.
  • Open for them an account of their own: Opening a savings account for your child is a great way to make them feel responsible and secure, and also help them save a big amount of money without spending needlessly.

We at Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas, run a wide number of grouped and individual recreational, educational and social programs for the overall development of your kids. One such program is the ‘Money Matters’ program which promotes financial responsibility and independence among the kids. It teaches them managing their budget and saving and investing the right way.

To know more about this program or to enrol your kid in the same, kindly visit us at the Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541. You can also contact Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Boys And Girls Club Texas - Kids Activities Texas

Healthy Habits for Kids

24. February 2012 Administrator (0)

Children are like a blank canvas. They are a clear reflection of what we instill in them. Be it habits or values; they absorb everything like a sponge. The most crucial years in a child’s life are the first ten years. These first ten years can actually make or mar the personality of a child. It is in these tender years that we can instill good habits in them that will last them a life time.

A good parent works on developing healthy habits in his kids through a holistic approach. A lot comes within the ambit of healthy habits. Good nutrition, physical activities, hygiene, the sleep cycle, manners and much more contribute to healthy habits in kids. Habits can’t be forced upon a child and the best approach is to rationalize with a kid as to why a certain habit is worth inculcating.

The following are some healthy habits for kids:

  • Good eating habits: The food habits that a child develops in his early childhood are more or less likely to stay with him for life. Encourage your child to eat nutritious home-made food as against junk food. Try to include vegetable servings, whole wheat, salads, porridge, yoghurt and plenty of fresh fruits in your child’s daily diet. This will go a long way in developing good eating habits and will also keep diseases like obesity miles away from your child well into adulthood.
  • Physical activities: With the boom of computers, TV’s and video games, kids are literally glued inside their homes. It’s very important for kids to be physically active in order to be healthy in the long run. Ensure that your child spends at least half an hour outside in the fresh air daily. In addition to this, involve your child in various outdoor activities like cycling, swimming and skating. Play board games with your child and bond over a picnic or even something as simple as a walk.
  • Good hygiene: Hygiene comprise of both oral hygiene and physical hygiene. Teach your child about the importance of good oral hygiene. Make sure you child brushes twice a day and take him for regular dental check ups. Encourage your child to wash hands after every meal and even after visiting the washroom. Do let your kid know the importance of short and clean nails, well kempt hair and overall grooming.
  • Sleep habits: It’s very important for children to sleep enough for proper overall development. A child requires at least 9 to 10 hours of sleep on an average. Instill in your kid the habit of going to bed early and consequently waking up early.

We at the Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas run various health programs which aim to create a healthy and appropriate surrounding for kids. To name some of these programs are Cavity-Free Zone, SMART Moves, SMART Girls, SMART Leaders and Passport to Manhood.

If you are interested in enrolling your kids in these programs, visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Child Care Texas - Kids Activities Texas

Teenagers And Smoking

16. February 2012 Administrator (0)

Statistics show that there are as many as 46 million adult cigarette smokers and 3 million teenage smokers in the U.S. By creating awareness about the hazards of smoking, the number of adult smokers has dwindled but the awareness campaigns haven’t made an effect on the teenagers. Research shows that 80% of adult smokers started smoking as teenagers. The reason for this is that when one starts smoking as a teenager, the chances of ending up as an addict increase manifold. Once the body gets used to a certain amount of nicotine present in cigarettes, it begins to crave for it when it is deprived of it. This is where addiction begins.

A majority of teenagers are getting hooked to cigarette smoking for a variety of reasons. Some prominent reasons are:

  • Teens surrounded by family members who smoke can easily take to smoking. They might find it okay to smoke as well.
  • Peer pressure also influences teenagers to smoke as a part of their lifestyle. They may start smoking just to fit in the circle and not be the odd one out. Acceptance by peers is crucial to their self-esteem.
  • Media bombards teens with images of their favorite celebrities or singers smoking at a young age. This is usually presented as being harmless and cool. A teenager may get carried away with such images and want to emulate such personalities.
  • Some teens start smoking as an act of rebellion against their parents or some people of authority.
  • Others smoke to combat their low self-esteem and to reduce stress.
  • Some smoke just for the heck of it. They want to know why there is a fuss about prohibition on smoking.

Whatever are the reasons for smoking, it is very important for teenagers to be aware of the fact that it can be incredibly damaging to their life and future. It can even sabotage their relationships with their loved ones and deeply hurt them. Every time you take a puff, you are greatly damaging your body. Here’s how:

  • Cigarettes have tons of harmful chemicals including tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine, which are highly addictive.
  • Smoking causes diseases like bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease and many types of cancers including lung and mouth cancer.
  • It reduces your endurance when playing sports.
  • It really bad breath and yellow teeth.
  • Research shows that nicotine can cause a significant damage to the growing brain of a teenager.

The special programs at Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas like SMART Moves and SMART Leaders prepare teenagers to help them resist alcohol, tobacco, other addictive drugs and premature sexual activity.

For more information visit us at Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, located at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541. You can also call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Boys And Girls Club Texas - Child Care Texas

Health Care For Teenagers

11. February 2012 Administrator (0)

The trickiest years in human life are probably the teenage years ranging from 10 to 17 years. It is a challenging journey from childhood to adolescence in terms of physical, cognitive, social and moral development. An adolescent’s self worth largely depends on how they look like and feel about themselves. They go through tremendous physical changes due to the hormonal releases in the pituitary gland. Their brains begin to process thoughts that are more abstract and most of these thoughts are focused on themselves. As they gain confidence and self-awareness, they become more capable of making friendships based on intimacy and loyalty. They lean on friends for support and cut down on time spent with family.

Teenagers are highly conscious of their appearance and have wrong notions of how to stay fit. Media and peer pressure send mixed signals regarding the ideal weight and fitness thus confusing a teenager. Most of the girls fall prey to dieting and end up with eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, which prove fatal sometimes. It is very important for teenagers to engage in rigorous physical activity regularly. An upward trend of teenage obesity has been witnessed in the recent years, which call for cutting down on junk food and amending poor lifestyle habits. A healthy diet for teenagers should comprise of plenty of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates and protein.

Good health care is very essential for teenagers as they usually bypass it thinking they are immortal. Keeping a proper check on their health in the teenage years can ward off fatal diseases in their adulthood. They should get themselves screened for any possible heath problems. A track should be kept on their height, weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Car accidents, physical injury, homicide and suicide are responsible for three out of four teenage deaths in addition to cancer and heart disease. The need of the hour is to follow a holistic approach towards maintaining good health. A good diet, physical exercise and healthy mental health are vital in these crucial years.

Peer groups become an indispensable part of a teenager’s life. They prefer sharing their feelings, secrets and sorrows with their peers. Parents are shoved into their outer circle and peers suddenly find space in their inner circle. It is important for parents to be patient and understanding during this transitionary phase as it is a sign of maturity and is a natural process. A balance has to be struck between parents and peers for a positive outcome in the long run.

Enroll your kids in various programs offered by the Boys and Girls Clubs Of Central Texas. These programs aim for improvement in health care of your kids. For more details, visit us at 304 W Ave B, TX- 76541 or call Ms. Carol Dunn (Administrative assistant) at 254-699-5808, Ext: 102.

Child Care Texas - Boys And Girls Club Texas

Kids Activities At Boys And Girls Clubs Of Central Texas (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Fredrick Kertzmann

Last Updated:

Views: 6381

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fredrick Kertzmann

Birthday: 2000-04-29

Address: Apt. 203 613 Huels Gateway, Ralphtown, LA 40204

Phone: +2135150832870

Job: Regional Design Producer

Hobby: Nordic skating, Lacemaking, Mountain biking, Rowing, Gardening, Water sports, role-playing games

Introduction: My name is Fredrick Kertzmann, I am a gleaming, encouraging, inexpensive, thankful, tender, quaint, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.