I have been searching through FSS website and the Facebook page for the ramstein fitness centers with no luck. I am looking for some type of class or program to get myself an my two children involved in. My children are 1 and 5 years old. I know the gyms have "kid" areas but the kids get bored easily and it cuts any workout I attempt very short. Any advice? 

Here is one site!

http://www.86fss.com/images/documents/Calendars/january/january_fitness_calendar.jpg 

Yes I found this calendar but the family umbra is for ages 6 and up. 

*zumba 

You want kids 1 and 5 to become involved in some exercise class? We always called it a "Playground". Have you tried that? 

As I look out my window at the couple of inches of snow on the ground, "playground" doesn't seem a viable answer during the season of cabin fever. Each of the bedroom communities in the KMC - Ramstein, Vogelweh and eventually Sembach?(if they ever get the hazardous building material issue resolved) should work on new indoor facilities for kids. Something similar to that place that advertises in the KA for birthday parties. In the meantime, I guess they have to be content sticking their tongues to flagpoles (A Christmas Story). 

You want kids 1 and 5 to become involved in some exercise class? We always called it a "Playground". Have you tried that?

Hahahah, I know, right!

Freeze tag, duck-duck-goose, swings, jump rope...I guess kids are allergic to fresh air these days! 

I just turn up the music and dance like a crazy idiot with my 9 year old lol. Always sore the next day and tons of memories made. Playing outside is good too :P 

Thank you for the playground suggestion! My goodness why haven't I thought of taking my 1 year old out in these freezing temps?! Silly me :)

Thank you everyone else for the helpful suggestions :) 

Thank you for the playground suggestion! My goodness why haven't I thought of taking my 1 year old out in these freezing temps?! Silly me :)

OMGosh! You're so very welcome!

Playing Outdoors in Winter Can Help Prevent Colds and Flu
January 7, 2012 By RhondaDay

Did you know that cold weather is a great time for kids to play outdoors?

Many parents and teachers believe that it’s important to keep children warm and inside, rather than heading with them outside to play in cold weather. This misconception is actually the opposite of what many pediatricians and childcare experts recommend.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Cold weather does not cause colds or flu. But the viruses that cause colds and flu tend to be more common in the winter, when children are in school and are in closer contact with each other. Frequent hand washing and teaching your child to sneeze or cough into the bend of her elbow may help reduce the spread of colds and flu.”

Catherine Hoffman, Director of Center Relations at Tuckaway Child Development Centers, agrees whole-heartedly. “While many educational centers keep children indoors during cold weather, we do the opposite. It’s important for children to get fresh air and active exercise. Cold weather should not be a deterrent until it is bitter cold — which is typically not the case in Richmond. Of course, using good common sense and following a doctor’s recommendation for children who have health conditions is important too.”

Catherine should know about outdoor play because Tuckaway was awarded the 2011 Best Pre-school Playground in Richmond.

Catherine goes on to explain that getting fresh air can actually combat illnesses and help prevent children from contracting illness from other kids. Most viruses are airborne, and getting kids outside helps to eliminate some of the germs they carry. It also gives the classrooms and facilities an opportunity to welcome fresh air into the building when the doors are opened to let children in and out.

Tuckaway Child Development Centers follow the same guidelines as outlined on the American Academy of Pediatrics website and the Healthy Children website, including:

Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.
Have children come inside periodically to warm up if necessary.
Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Dressing for the weather is important.
The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
Always wear a hat where most of the body’s heat is lost when outdoors. Hats help children keep a warmer body temperature.
Watch children to ensure they are not sweating, since sweat gets cold when it touches the skin and starts to evaporate. Sweat can chill them quickly when it gets exposed to the cold air as they remove layers.

When children are dressed appropriately and warmly with suitable clothing to keep them dry, they should be able to play outdoors in most all temperatures. Layers will keep them warm, but also ensure they don’t get overheated as they play.

Children who see adults playing outside, including teachers and parents, also learn healthy habits about activity during winter months. It’s important for children to see that it’s healthy to go outside even when it’s cold.

“Even if a child has a cold or the sniffles, it’s okay for him to play outside provided he is kept warm and dry. And even though it’s cold, it’s still important for children to get plenty of fluids to drink before and after playtime. The good news is that children are less likely to pass germs and illness between each other when they play outside,” explains Catherine.

So don’t obsess about keeping children indoors during colder weather but get them moving and active outside. Play on the jungle gym, take a walk, build a snowman, or ride a bike. It might the one way to help them fight off illness during the winter months.

For more information on outdoor play during winter months, click on the American Academy of Pediatrics audio.

NOTE: Tuckaway Child Development Centers offer a great resource for working parents or stay-at-home parents looking for opportunities to educate and socialize their children as they grow. Be sure to use your Savvy Saver card and the registration fee will be waived.

Tuckaway Child Development Centers are advertisers on Richmondmom.com. 

I don't know why everybody has to be so rude...

With that said. As long as you dress your kid according to the weather going outside to play for short times is fine. I never made mine stay in for cold reasons we just bundled up good, and we never got sick :) 

In the original post Danielle was asking for classes with kids, because her kids get bored easy there which is cutting HER WORKOUT short. Telling her to take the kids outside to play is not the right answer to that question.
Danielle, I know of parents that signed up at gyms off post so they can workout and use the free childcare provided by the gym. That might an option for you. 

Check out Miesau gym. I know when I go in the mornings there is usually a group of ladies and kids on the basketball court working out and the kids all are running around lol... 

I wish we still had a Kid's Zone type place on base. There used to be a few classes offered where you could take your kids at the same time and they could play. I think it would be too distracting with my toddler. Best thing is to just call all the gym's and see which offer classes like that still.
Otherwise with my kids we still go outside. Not every single day and if it's super cold, no, but for the most part they'll bundle up and we'll go out for a little while. Especially when I shovel they'll go out with me and play. 

Landstuhl CYS offers child and parent yoga classes. They have 2 age groups for the children:

Infant to under 6 yrs

5 yrs to under 13 

If you go to instructional Programs on this page you can log in to WebTrac as a guest to see waht's offered.

CYS 

The Landstuhl Gym offers Mommy and Me Fitness programs as well as a PCA (Parent Child Area). I always see a group of mothers working out together in the gym while kids of all ages, even in strollers play. Worth checking out! Good Luck! 

Off base are probably the best option. The military are not all that "health aware/interested" in fitness...for serving members (look at the calorie court), never mind dependents!
Seems a real shame as I know plenty of moms that want to go to the gym, but are "stuck" with the kids so cannot :-( 

Sledding?...see above. 

Even if you don't let them play, take them out for a walk in the stroller. You get exercise and the baby will be safe and warm. Trust me when I say that any outside involvement knocks them out! 

Swimming is always an option too. Swimming is great cardiovascular exercise and will put your little ones to sleep right after! 

"As I look out my window at the couple of inches of snow on the ground, "playground" doesn't seem a viable answer during the season of cabin fever."

"Thank you for the playground suggestion! My goodness why haven't I thought of taking my 1 year old out in these freezing temps?! Silly me :)"

going out in the snow and cold is a great time for the kids. do you keep them in when it rains too? i'm sure glad i didn't grow up in your house if you think kids shouldn't be out in the snow!!!

i think the issue here is that mom doesn't want to get out in the cold. dress your kids correctly and they will do just fine in the cold. do you think the millions of people who grow up in the arctic stay inside all winter?