Kids have Fun in Cyprus: November 2013

Swimming for kids in Paphos

Hello everybody,

Over the span of three years, researchers surveyed the parents of more than 7,000 children age 5 and under and found that the age kids learned to swim correlated with when they began accomplishing certain skills.

In pre-school, early swimmers had better visual-motor skills (like cutting paper and drawing lines and shapes), but also fared better as they got older (i.e. understanding directions, math, and writing and reading skills).

Teaching children how to swim can help them to burn calories, exercise their cardiovascular system and help them to increase their lean muscle mass. Swimming is often recommended by physical therapists as the number one physical activity for all ages. For children swimming can also be a calming and relaxing exercise that allows them to burn off the endless energy they have. This is why teaching children how to swim can have lifelong effects. They will often continue to use swimming as a solution to physical and emotional problems as they get older, taking the benefits with them.

Your move: Sign your kids up for lessons -- and keep 'em going. In Jorgensen's study, the earlier the child started and the longer they remained in the swimming lessons, the greater the gains, she says.

And it wouldn't hurt to jump in the pool yourself: Besides the added benefit of challenging yourself through switching up your workout, water is about 1,000 times denser than air, so a swim workout can be tougher on you. You'll burn almost the same amount of calories each minute as you would biking -- but you can kiss dodging traffic or worrying about your joints goodbye.

And now swimming lessons for you in Paphos Area!

Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot Lizard!

AQUATECHNIQUES SWIMMING PROGRAMMES

Address: Christou Samara 8, Geroskipou. Paphos Cyprus

Lessons hours:

Totswim (Max 4 per class) (Moms and babies aged 6 – 36 months):

Tuesdays and Fridays: 9.00.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 17:20

Fridays: 17:40

Learn-To-Swim and Stroke Correction (Max 4 per class - From age 3)

Monday – Friday: 13:20 – 19:00

Contact person: Annelie Roux

Phone no: + 357 99 714 325

E-mail: annelie@aquatechniques.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Swimming.Lessons.Paphos

https://www.facebook.com/totswim?ref=ts&fref=ts

Spa Tonic

Address: Crown Resorts Horizon

Coral Bay Avenue, CY-8068, Paphos, Cyprus

Lessons hours:

Tuesday: 15:30 – 17:00

Thursday: 14:00 – 17:30

Saturday: 09:00 – 12:30

Phone: +357 26 623 924 / +357 26 813 800

E-mail: spa.tonic@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.spatoniccyprus.com

Poseidonio - Health Spa & Fitness Center

Address: 132 Demokratias Ave., Paphos - Cyprus

Opening hours:

MONDAY - FRIDAY 07:30- 22:00

SATURDAY 09:00 - 16:00

Offering a wide range of classes (for all ages), gym facilities, swimming pool, tennis courts, personal training, nutritional advice and spa treatments

Phone: +357 26 222 234,

+357 26 952 745

E-mail: enquiry@poseidonio.com

Webpage: http://www.poseidonio.com

Paphos Swimming Pool (25m)

Address: Agiou Dionysiou Street, Paphos, Cyprus

Phone: +357 26 943 700

Geroskipou Olympic Swimming Pool (50m)

Address: Yeroskypou Tourist Area

Theas Afrodites Avenue, Geroskipou

Phone: +357 26 913 600

+357 26 962 324

Xerargaka Picnic Place – playground, pond, forest

Hello everybody,

Located close to Kalopanayiotis village on the way to Nicosia, the picnic place Xerargaka made me feel that I could not find another better place to spend my day with my kids. It is like the beginning of the forest is here. The tall trees are waving their arms in the sky; this made all leafs falling like rain in the small pond. Red and white fishes, orange and brown leaf like a mirror of the autumn in the beginning of spring.

Green grass made me believe, it will be summer soon. This is the beauty of Cyprus. Sometimes you do not know where the end is as it is a continuous pleasure of living.

It is a perfect place to go with strollers, small babies, big kids, or simply have a walk with the dog trough the forest. Fresh mountain air. It is not too high in the mountains so it does not get to chilly. The picnic place invites you to relax, to enjoy the quiet moments far away from the crowded places.

The playground has swings for babies and kids, slide, roundabout, seesaws, climbing area. It is surrouded and far way from the street. You could bring some balls to play or other table’s activity. In this time of year picking up leafs, stick them on a paper could open an interesting conversation about autumn. You could simply enjoy a nice walk trough the forest.

This time of the year the weather is just perfect to play outside, to run and to spend some energy. Red cheeks, happy eyes, smiley faces and little red noses are screaming loud in the forest their joy of childhood.

Up on the main road the beautiful village of Kalopanayiotis is waiting for new guests but this is another story…

Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot Lizard!

Where: Xerargaka Picnic Place, Nicosia, Cyprus

P&P Papafilippou - Luna Park and outdoor playground Nicosia

Hello everybody,

Nicosia is a city with lots of nice opportunities for kids. As my kids loves Luna Parks and outdoor playground I like to find these places, to know them and each time I have something to do in an certain place to have already in mind where I can stop for my kids too.

Going to the Mall of Engnomi in Nicosia I discovered Papafilippou Luna Park and Playground. It is a nice place with lots of activities for children. There is the Luna Park with bumper cars, air hockey tables, airplanes, cars carousel, ducks and trains rides.

There is an outside area with slides, climbing area, swings, a big carousel and many more.

You can relax eating, drinking at their tables while kids are playing. Even if the playground is located at the main road it is very well surrounded so the kids can not go out very easy. The parking is behind the Luna Park.

So if you plan to visit Engnomi area and the Mall you could always stop to play at Papafilippou!

Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot Lizard!

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 09:00 – 24:00

Entrance fee: free entrance, pay by ride

Address: 28 Oktovriou Engomi, Nicosia, Cyprus

Phone no: +357 22 351 554

Steni Village and the Steni Museum of Village Life

Hello everybody,

Going from Paphos towards Polis, few km before reaching Polis take right and after about 4 km on beautiful green hills, a small road will take you at your destination, Steni Village. It is a wonderful experience, a fantastic day out with the kids with lots of nice activities.

The Steni Museum of Village Life can be found in the center of the village. I was lucky to be welcomed by Mr. Savvas Charalambous the curator of the Museum. He made my day… with a nice smile and desire to talk about this place he introduced me in the world of past trough the oldest Cypriot gate in the village 1844 (an original interior door made from Cyprus pine dated 1844).

“Enter and step back into Village life of yesterday”…

Old village objects from Farming, tools, thread making, traditional clothing, handcrafting, history, children toys are exposed to the viewer’s eyes in a unique ambient. About each one of them Mr. Savva had a nice story that my kids loved to listen.

Mr Savva will tell you the story about the pants… and the one about the boots. (I do not want to tell you more …).

The old toys corner was highly appreciated as my children had the pleasure to try them and play with them.

This is a place made with love for the past and for the people. There are written explanation of the museum objects in English and Greek language… there are stories to be told… to the little wise listeners. There are humming tops and slingshots in the boys’ corner.

It is an unforgettable experience and a nice opportunity to share with our kids stories of old Cypriot village.

In front of the museum there is a nice playground with swings, slides and seesaw where kids can spend some of their energy.

After all the running you could just relax in the coolest coffee shop of the village Neromylos for a traditional snack or coffee.

It’s a nice day out… plenty of activities and fun for the entire family.

Lots of sunny days from Izzy the Cypriot lizard!

PS The 3rd Sunday of every month Steni Farmers Market is held in Steni Museum courtyard from 10:00 – 14:00. It is a good opportunity to buy natural Cypriot products for kids and parents alike.

The wonderful Savvas villas can be a very nice destination for a family holiday.

Steni village

The Steni Museum of Village Life

Opening Hours

Monday-Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

Entrance Fee:

Free of charge

Address: 8884, Paphos – Cyprus

Phone no: + 357 26 352 143

+357 99 625 004

E-mail: info@steni.org.cy

Web page: www.steni.org.cy