7 Fun Outings for Your Child With CMT

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) may make it challenging for you to find activities to do with your child. Despite this, you can still do many things with them that are easy and rewarding. You’ll enjoy yourselves on these seven fun outings for children with CMT.

CMT Guide For Parents

Since CMT affects muscles and sensations, it can be challenging to stay active. However, it might slow the progression of the disease. As a general CMT guide for parents, you should always encourage them to move around. Sedentary activities are fine, but it’s better if it doesn’t take up a significant portion of your child’s day. 

You might have to intervene if you notice they’re on their phone or playing video games most of the time. Since video games may be addictive, it could be hard for them to decide to stop. Even if your child doesn’t feel up to it, it’ll help them to do an activity with you. 

1. Picnicking at a Park

Picnics are a unique and fun outing for children with CMT. You can even picnic in winter — just bundle up and make hot chocolate to-go. An outdoor lunch will give them a break from their electronics and inspire them to be active outside. Plus, playing outside increases the body’s defenses against germs. 

There’s no better place to be active than the great outdoors. A park makes an excellent outing because its neutral nature inspires creativity. When your child is outside with nothing but their thoughts, they’ll likely start using their imagination or playing pretend to entertain themselves. 

Pretend scenarios are a fun, quirky way to bond with them. On top of that, they’ll love getting to be silly with you. Just find a good spot outside to set up and pack snacks, a blanket and toys.

2. Swimming at the Beach

Water is great for sore muscles and joints because floating lifts weight off the body. Plus, your kid will look forward to swimming because it’s fun to splash around. It’ll help them stay active while relieving some of the stress on their muscles. Also, stretching in water might help them if they struggle with their range of motion. 

Take them to a community pool or a beach for the day. The beach lets them play in the sand, as well. Creating sand castles or digging holes may help with their fine motor skills. For an easier option, set up a kiddie pool in your backyard. 

3. Hiking on a Trail

Hiking is a fun and laid-back outing for families. It’s usually associated with long, steep walks, but plenty of easier trails are for children. If you don’t have any hiking tracks near you, choose a nearby park with long paths. Park trials have the added bonus of having benches if your child needs to rest for a moment. 

Since children have shorter attention spans, you should look for a trail that will interest them. Paths with lots of nature or pretty views will keep them engaged. Additionally, you can play a fun podcast or their favorite music while you hike to ensure they’ll stay intrigued.

This is an excellent outing for children with CMT who want to be active. Walking is a low-stress activity, and the views will stimulate their minds. You can also pick the trail ahead of time to ensure they can handle it.

4. Playing at a Playground

A playground is a perfect place to take your kid because it’s for them. It’ll likely have a lot of structures that’ll inspire them to get moving. Also, play structures often have puzzles or mini-activities that help with fine motor skills. 

It’ll allow them to interact with other kids and enjoy themselves. You can make it a fun bonding experience by going out for a treat afterward or taking them to new playgrounds each week. They’ll appreciate you bringing them to a fun place, and you can be happy that you’re being proactive with their health. 

5. Picking Veggies at a Community Garden

Picking vegetables is an excellent outing for you and your child. You’ll get to bring home fresh ingredients for dinner, and they’ll work some of their muscles. It involves grabbing, holding and carrying vegetables, which focuses on their arms and hands. 

Outside of helping their mobility, planting or picking vegetables is just fun. If you go regularly, they can watch something grow and prosper because of their work. It’ll help them recognize consequences, and they’ll likely feel accomplished. 

6. Camping Outdoors

Camping is great because it’s versatile. You can take a road trip with your RV to a remote spot, pitch tents at a local state park or even build a blanket fort in your backyard. Getting your kid outside gets them active, and camping convinces them to do so. 

Making s’mores and falling asleep outside is like an adventure, so they’ll be excited to try it. While camping isn’t active by itself, it can inspire them to play outside. In addition, you could bring outdoor games to get them moving. For example, a bean bag toss game lets them practice with their arms’ range of motion. 

7. Stretching at a Yoga Class

A yoga class lets you and your child practice balance and endurance. They might find some positions challenging, but yoga doesn’t have to be about getting them right. Many people who do yoga can’t do certain poses. 

The activity will get their blood flowing and stretch their muscles. Stretching helps protect their muscles against loss of motion range, so this keeps them healthy. If they want it to be easier, you can request a block, ball or chair so they can modify their poses.  

You may not have a yoga class nearby, but you can still stretch with your child. Simply pull up a video online, clear some space and get started in your living room. If you want to put in extra effort to help others in similar positions, consider starting a yoga group in your community.

Go Out and Get Active

While there’s no official CMT guide for parents, you should know that keeping your child engaged and moving will help them deal with their disease. However, not everything has to revolve around what they have trouble doing. These outings give them a chance just to be a kid and enjoy their day with their parents.