Many children today are spending their time on sedentary activities like video games and online activities. Where kids used to spend time outside riding their bikes and playing different types of games, today they are generally less active. Children who are physically fit usually concentrate better in school, have better self-esteem, and have a better outlook on life.
The key to keeping kids fit is to make their activities fun. Here are some tips and some activities to help keep your kids active. Kids 6-17 years old need at least an hour a day of moderate activity like walking or riding bikes. Three days a week, they need more vigorous activities like running or jumping rope. (Mayoclinic.com)
Here are some ideas to get your kids moving:
First of all, you need to be a good example. Your kids will follow your lead. Play with them. This is a great time to bond as well as teach good habits for their entire lives. Go for a walk. Play catch or shoot some baskets. Praise and encourage such activities. Tell them they are doing a good job, and they will continue to do a good job. Even games like “Simon Says” or “Red Light, Green Light” can be active and fun for the family to play together.
Organized sports or dance classes can be a good idea from some kids. But not all will find this an attractive option. For others, try a nature walk, ride bikes to the library, go swimming, or just dance in the family room. Finding out what your kids are interested in is key to finding an activity that they will enjoy and will look forward to doing. Do some brainstorming with the kids to find activities they might enjoy.
Secondly, kids need to decrease the amount of time they spend in front of the screen—computer, TV, or video games. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1-2 hours a day. To help monitor screen time, keep TVs and computers out of the kids’ rooms and put them in the family room.
If your kids play video games, consider playing games that require physical movement to control the game. These types of games are becoming more popular and are available in a variety of formats.
Third, set aside time each day for some physical activity. Think of it and promote it to your kids as activity time, not exercise. Let the kids help choose the activities to get them involved. Make it fun.
Fourth, accept and love your children at any size. Teach them that activity keeps them healthy and strong at any size. If you accept them as they are, they are more likely to feel good about themselves and find success in their lives.
Remember that any lifestyle change is difficult and can take time to incorporate into your lives (yours as well as your kids’). So start slowly and keep at it until you have fully integrated the changes you want to make. And remember that this is for their good and worth the effort.
A list of possible activities:
- Four square
- Relay races
- Frisbee
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Dodge ball
- Kickball
- Red Rover
- Mother May I
- Red Light, Green Light
- Hide and Seek
- Flashlight Tag
- Squirt guns
- Water balloons
- Swimming
- Run through the sprinklers
- Make an obstacle course in the backyard
- Tennis
- Scavenger hunt
- Softball
- Hopscotch
- Check online for more ideas
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