There’s no denying that regular exercise is essential to good health. Staying physically active offers a wealth of physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits for people of all ages, especially children. Experts recommend that kids and teens get an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.
Of course, between work, school, and other obligations, many people struggle to get enough exercise. However, it’s important to recognize that “physical activity” isn’t the same as “going to the gym.” While gym workouts are great, they aren’t the only way to exercise. And if you have a busy family, you’re probably better off trying a more creative approach.
Today, we wanted to share some of our favorite out-of-the-box ways to keep your whole family active. We also made it a point to choose activities that are actually fun–because movement should be a joy.
Schedule Family Playtime Every Evening
Make a list of fun, movement-based activities your family can do in the evenings. For example, you might play a game of tag, go for a walk, or ride bikes around the neighborhood after dinner.
Remember to include activities you can do if the weather keeps you indoors. If you have a video game console, fitness games are a great way to stay active in the house. You could also do a Yoga video together or have your kids go on a scavenger hunt through the house.
Involve Your Kids in Outdoor Chores
Gardening and yard work are great ways to exercise while marking items off your to-do list–and it’s an excuse to enjoy the outdoors. If your kids complain about mowing the yard or raking leaves, get them involved in planning and planting a garden. If they have a say in picking out seeds or plants, they’re more likely to see the garden as a project than another item on their chore list.
As a bonus, gardening with your kids offers other benefits, too. It can foster a connection to nature, help improve fine motor skills, and teach valuable lessons about responsibility and patience.
Plan Active Weekend Outings
Got some free time on the weekend? There are tons of fun activities you can do as a family. Have your kids help you make a list of activities they’d like to try and keep it on hand when you’re looking to kill a few hours. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Bowling
- Miniature golf
- Nature walks (the less intimidating cousin of hiking)
- Roller or ice skating
- Building a fort, obstacle course, or Rube Goldberg machine
- Having a dance party
- Seasonal fruit picking
- Geocaching
The options are limitless! The key is to pick activities you and your kids are actually excited about.
Here’s to a Healthy, Active Family!
If there’s one piece of advice we’d give for parents looking to keep their whole family active, it’s this: physical activity isn’t punishment. However you get your kids moving, it should be something they enjoy doing, helping to foster a healthy relationship with movement throughout your child’s life.
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