In a day and age of Facebook, Netflix and WhatsApp, it seems that children are not as active as they used to be - so what are the ways to keep kids active?
Inactivity can have many detrimental effects to their physical and mental well-being. By encouraging them to be active, we will do wonders for their physical well-being, improve their mood and their social skills.
If you are struggling to get your kids active, here are a few suggestions:
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1. Family Walks Are the Best Way to Move for the Entire Family
Family walks are great because they allow you to spend quality time together and get out of the house. This is much easier if you have a dog, but if not, then you could take a picnic or stop off at a pub along the way. This is much healthier than sitting around and watching television and it is a good exercise for all.
2. Journey to School Can Be More Fun if You Walk or Scoot
Instead of driving the kids to school and picking them up, consider a more active route. You could walk them to school, or try a more fun activity like using a scooter - these are hugely popular with kids and a surprisingly good form of exercise.
Of course, this is only possible if you live relatively close to the school, but encouraging them to walk or scoot anywhere can make a big difference to their fitness level and also improve independence.
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3. Park and Garden Games Are Great Activities
Take the kids to the park armed with a range of fun toys and games for them to play. This can be great fun in the summer months and a good chance to spend quality time together as a family. They could play tag, jump rope, play football, fly a kite, tug of war amongst other fun games. If it is a hot day, a water gun fight is a great way to keep cool!
4. Dancing is a Great Exercise
Rainy afternoons do not have to be spent in front of the television. Turn on some music and get the kids dancing - you can encourage them by making it a friendly competition, by using balloons or hula hoops and by playing their favourite music. This is a decent form of exercise and is sure to be a fun-filled afternoon too.
5. Swim Together to Stay Active
Swimming is a great way of keeping kids moving and it's a great way for the entire family to have fun and stay active. Just make sure the water is not too cold for your little ones and that all safety rules are observed. Water is tricky and it only takes a moment. Caution is advised even if you think your kids are good swimmer. Kids are still kids!
It seems that kids are not as active as they once were, but keeping active is important for many different reasons. The above are a few ways to get your kids moving, but you should also encourage them to participate in sports, swimming or any other kind of activity during the week too.