Category: Lifestyle

5 Activities To Do with the Kids at Home

Posted on by abenson

5 Activities To Do with the Kids at Home

With coronavirus tearing across the world, many of us are stuck inside our homes waiting for our daily lives to go back to normal. Children are waiting anxiously for their normalcy to return as well. In the meantime, keep them entertained by checking out these 5 indoor activities that are great for kids of all ages.

  • Make a game out of cleaning! Have kids give their toys a bath in a bucket of soap and warm water. Not only will they enjoy this activity, but those toys are getting disinfected and cleaned in a time when this is so important.
  • Tune in to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Facebook page at 3pm everyday to see a live event that is sure to keep everyone watching entertained.
  • Cool Math, Khan Academy and Fun Brain are all great online educational tools that have an abundance of learning activities that are actually fun for kids!
  • Set up a treasure hunt around your house. Not only will this entertain kids, but after the setup is complete adults will have time to finish a few household tasks.
  • Take a virtual fieldtrip to Yellowstone, The Planetarium or The Great Lakes. With google earth and interactive tours, these locations are more accessible than ever. Check out Discovery Education for more information on these tours.

In this stressful time, it is important to remember that children are having their lives interrupted just like we are. Creating a schedule and being understanding of their needs is important in making this time as stress free as possible. Take this time to enjoy family activities and trust that soon enough, life will return to normal.

Apartment Exercises

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Apartment Exercises

Practice social distancing and workout from the comfort of your apartment or townhome! These apartment exercises won’t annoy your neighbors and will still provide a great workout. The best part? Most exercises require little to no equipment. However, if you would like to add equipment to enhance your workout, consider a yoga mat, jump rope, sturdy chair, exercise ball, and a pair of weights.

There are several styles of workouts you can do within the comfort of your home, like yoga or high intensity interval training (HIIT).  We have put together a list of exercises that will both get your heart rate moving and your muscles toned. To learn the exercise, click on the name and it will pull up a tutorial video from YouTube.

Get your heart moving

Tone your muscles

Arms

 

Legs

 

Core

 

Bonus! Here are a few YouTube workout videos to try out!

Seven Apartment Workout Tips

Posted on by abenson

Seven Apartment Workout Tips

When you don’t have time in your schedule to go to the gym or don’t want to pay a membership fee, get your sweat on in the comfort of your apartment or townhome. There are a lot of great exercises you can do that require no extra equipment and that won’t annoy your neighbors. Here are a couple of tips to get your started on your workout journey:

1. Choose a Space

Find a space in your apartment or townhome that you feel has enough room to move around in. If you have an extra room in your apartment or townhome, consider dedicating the room entirely to your workout. If you have a garage, consider making it a dual purpose space by creating it into a workout zone.

2. Pick Your Exercise

Test out different exercise routines on YouTube. There are a lot of great (& free!) videos out there that offer everything from yoga and pilates to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits.

3. Try Something New

Try a new workout video collection or test out one of the many workout apps.

4. Set a Schedule

Set up a calendar and block out some dedicated time for your workout.

5. Find a Friend

Have your friends join you! Share your workout and you can help keep each other accountable.

6. Add Equipment

Use use yoga mats, resistance bands, dumbbells, jump ropes, medicine balls, and kettle bells to help enhance your workout.

7. Push Yourself

It is easy to give up when no one is around pushing you to do your best, so push yourself! Now that you have the tips to get your apartment workout started, start finding what workout routine works best for you. Leave a comment and let us know what your routine is like.

When searching for a new home, consider finding one that offers an onsite fitness center. Prairie Property Management has several properties that have onsite gym. Check out the complete list.

How one resident transformed their townhome for fall

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How one resident transformed their townhome for fall

Fall is here and with it comes cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters, and weekend excursions to the local pumpkin patch. But there is no better way to get in the mood for the season than to start decorating your home with fall foliage, acorns, plaid throw blankets, and colorful pillows. One resident from Maple Ridge Townhomes let us into their home to see how they were able to transform it for the season. . . and needless to say, we loved it.

Fall Inspired Coffee Station

This resident used small touches to give this space an autumn feel: wooden trivets, candy corn filled jars, and orange flowers for a pop of color. All white mugs and bowls were used, making it easy to change decorations between the seasons.

Fall Foliage

From kitchen pantries to entryways, this Maple Ridge Townhome had the perfect amount of fall foliage. For a low budget wreath, consider visiting the dollar store and picking up all the materials you need to make your own perfect fall wreath.

Pumpkins!

Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins! Fall decor is never complete without a pumpkin or two. This resident had pumpkins and gourds strategically placed in all the major living areas including the kitchen, living room, and dining room.

Cozy Fireplace

While this fireplace doesn’t require any wood, this renter placed a decorative basket of birch sticks next to their fireplace to giving the area an extra touch while also making it more versatile for the coming winter season.

The perfect color scheme

This resident focused on mixing patterns and using hues such as oranges, browns, yellows, and reds to make this corner of the home extra cozy. Ledges and windowsills can be great spots to add color to your home and this renter did just that by placing a piece of wood with gourds on it and strategically placing some fall foliage. We love how they combined rustic and chic.

Awe-worthy kitchen

This resident filled in the empty space above her cabinets by using windows, letters, flowers, plants, pumpkins and jars to bring her kitchen to life.

Want to see more? Go on the virtual tour of this beautiful home by visiting the Maple Ridge Townhomes website./p>

Bike Trails Near Our Communities

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Bike Trails Near Our Communities

It’s the perfect time of year to get outside and enjoy the sunshine — and what better way to do it than to go on a bike ride? All the cities our communities are in offer great multi-use paths that are perfect for biking. So grab a bike, a helmet , and a friend (or go solo!) and check out one of the many great trails near you.

Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Bike Trails

The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo area offers many bike paths that can be accessed from a majority of our communities. Biking along the Red River and Sheyenne River is the best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. If mountain biking is your preference or if you want to try something new, then be sure to check out Iwen Park, MB Johnson Park, or Gooseberry for a fun adventure! See the map.

Mandan Bike Trails

All our Mandan communities have quick and easy access to the Old Red Trail as well as the Lewis and Clark Trail. Other trails to check out include the Sunset Park Trail and the Missouri Valley Millennium Legacy Trail. See the map.  

Minot Bike Trails

Minot has trails across the city that will bring you to various parks and points of interest including trails along the river. For mountain biking, check out the Bison Plant Trail, which is 3.1 miles long and has a nice stretch along the Souris River. See the map.  

Jamestown Bike Trails

Whatever length of trail you are looking for, Jamestown offers something for you with anything for ¼ mile to 10 miles or more. See the complete list.    

Williston Bike Trails

The city of Williston offers trails across the city with plans to add more. Our Williston communities have easy access to the existing trails. See the map.    

Watford City Bike Trails

Watford City offers a multiuse path that is 2.4 miles long that starts behind the Children’s Play Park on Main Street at Centennial Park. The area also has several mountain biking options including the Bennet Creek Trail, Magpie Trail, and the Long X Loop. No matter where you live, there are trails near you. Be sure to follow the rules of the road and wear a helmet. Do you have a favorite biking trail? Share it with us by visiting our Facebook page.