Encourage Your Kids To Be More Active
As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s a big concern over how healthy the modern generation of kids is. With all the videogames and series they have at their fingertips, there’s much less motivation to get out there and make their own entertainment. If you’re worried about how much your kids love lounging around on the sofa, then here are some of our best tips on encouraging your kids to be more active.
Take Classes Together
Image: Flickr
I’m sure you’ve noticed how everyone’s more concerned with health and fitness than they have been in the past. These days, it’s become more and more common for gyms, clubs and community centres to offer classes which parents and kids can take together. Yoga and aerobics classes are usually popular among parents with kids. Other fitness clubs will run their own quirky activities designed to keep kids both active and entertained. You’ll not only be ensuring that your little one is getting a bit of exercise in, but may also meet some great friends for both you and them in the process.
Plan Outdoor Activities
The structure of a class or club can be handy for making sure you and your kid are getting enough exercise. However, you don’t need someone who gives these classes professionally to encourage your kids to be more active. Try setting aside a day every weekend when you’ll go out and do some kind of outdoor activity with your children. Swim in the summer, go sledding in the winter, take bike rides in the spring and autumn. It’s even easier to get kids on board by involving their friends and adding a little healthy competition to it. It really doesn’t take much work to source some athletics medals or cricket trophies, set a date and get a few kids in the same place!
Change your Family Room
Image: Pixabay
For a lot of households, the living room or family space is a centre of laziness. The shelf full of DVDs, the games console, the comfy sofa are all there, with nothing to encourage physical activity and fitness. Obviously, you should have somewhere to relax. However, you can still encourage activity without overhauling the whole room and turning it into a gym. Set a cap on the amount your kids use the TV, and leave out a skipping rope, resistance bands, or a yoga mat.
Make Chores a Game
Instead of setting chores for your kids to do by themselves, turn them into a game that the whole family can play together. Race to see how fast your kids can get their rooms clean, play music while you’re doing laundry, then sing and dance your way through the job. Take the dog on walks around the block as a family, and squeeze in some running or some other vigorous activity while you’re at it. If you go about it the right way, you’ll come to a point where you don’t need to hassle your kids to do their chores anymore, and ensure that they’re being more active.