Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Exercise

Between texting friends, spending time on the computer, watching television and playing video games, children and teens today are not as physically active as they should be. According to a recent study conducted by the YMCA, 74 percent of children ages 5 to 10 years old do not get enough daily physical activity. This lack of exercise is one reason why the obesity rate is growing among the younger population as well as an increase in chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, heart disease and type-2 diabetes. If your child is lacking in exercise, it's time to get him off the couch and moving. What better way to do this than by involving the entire family in physical activity several days a week? Forget using the word "exercise" and instead plan for your family to enjoy fun activities that let you all become physically active.

Get the Family Moving Five or Six Nights a Week:

Getting exercise doesn't mean spending a lot of time or money, just use items you already own. Get the family outside for a friendly game of basketball, baseball or volleyball. You don't even have to stick to the rules - make up games as you go along. Playing sports together as a family teaches children teamwork and healthy competitiveness while they get the exercise they need.

Do Simple "Around the Block" Style Activities:

Pull out the bikes and go for a family ride, rollerblade or roller skate up and down the sidewalks or take an evening walk each night after dinner. This type of daily activity not only gets children and teens in shape but gives parents and kids time to talk to each other in a casual, relaxed way.

Play Children's Games that Keep Kids Moving:

Running around the yard or park playing games like hide and seek, tag, Frisbee or catch are excellent ways to get muscles moving and hearts pumping. Set up a challenge where you have several stations with different activities like hula hooping or jump rope and time each family member as a friendly competition.

Go for a Hike or Swing from the Monkey Bars:

If you live near a park with hiking trails, plan a time when the entire family can go on a nature hike. Hiking is an excellent way to build up the leg muscles and strengthen the heart and lungs. Is there a playground nearby? Take the kids and swing, jump and climb. This is a great way to build upper body strength and burn calories.

Join a Club or Participate in a Weekly Sport:

Look around your area for an affordable exercise club, like the YMCA, that the entire family can join. You can go there together to swim, use exercise equipment or even jump on a trampoline. Is there a sport your entire family enjoys? Check with your local community education office for a sport you can compete in as a family like baseball, tennis, soccer, swimming or bowling. Believe it or not, bowling is an excellent way to build up arm and leg muscles and most alleys have family team nights.

Play Interactive Video Games When You Can't Be Outdoors:

Invest in a video system that lets you participate in the game and play indoor sports when it isn't possible to play outside. Systems like Wii and XBOX have a variety of games that will let you get physical and will get the blood pumping and give the muscles a workout. Kids love competing with parents so make sure you join in the game too.

Use your imagination to find ways to get your kids active so you can lower their risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing dangerous weight-related chronic diseases. Joining in on the fun with your kids will set a positive example and help keep you healthy too. Exercise can be fun when the whole family participates and shares the activities together.

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