With childhood obesity at record highs, it’s not hard to see why parents are so interested in teaching their kids healthy habits. We all know the basics to good health: eat right and exercise. So you’ve cut down on the sugary drinks and managed to sneak more fruits and veggies into the kids’ meals. But getting them to move their bodies is a whole new challenge. It used to be as simple as sending them outside to play. But it is hard for the outdoors to compete with what most kids have in their bedrooms these days. And some neighborhoods just aren’t as child-friendly as they used to be. With warm weather right around the corner there is no better time to get your kids moving. Here are some creative approaches to get your kids to exercise.
- Get involved with them. Take walks and bike rides together, or take kids to a local park. Enroll in a fun activity like a swimming class at the local YMCA. Walk to the store instead of driving. Or let the kids loose in the mall. Shopping can be exercise, too, as long as you’re moving.
- Make your backyard more enticing. A trampoline, a swing set, a soccer net, a basketball hoop. All of these things can make a kid want to go outside and practice new skills. Tap into what your kids’ like to do and try to find gear that fosters their interests.
- Use technology. Kids love gadgets. Give them a pedometer that measures how many steps they take and how far they go. You can even make it an in-house competition to see who can clock the most mileage.
- Give non-food rewards. Kids will be more likely to get on board with achieving a specific goal if they know there is a fun activity, special day trip, or vacation in it for them.
- Reduce screen time. Even if your kids aren’t super active, cutting back on the amount of time they spend on their rear ends watching TV or playing video games can go a long way toward better health.
