Our children today have some of the most technologically advanced toys and gadgets at their disposal.
It's amazing to see how far games and computers have come, but with such fun inside it may be harder to get them up and moving to exercise or play outside.
We used to play football outside now they can play football inside on a computer.
These computer video games are fun, but lets get our children moving and have some fun exercising with the family! Here are some ideas to get your children to exercise and move more.
Join an exercise class together.
It can be at your local Y or your living room every Thursday night at 6:00.
Pop in an exercise video and go to town.
Little ones will look forward to that time and will not let you forget your scheduled exercise class! Exercise DVDs, or cable shows are a perfect way to get in shape as a family at home.
Limit TV and video games.
Get them outside to jump rope, throw a baseball, play kickball, or just run around.
Children need fresh air and they need to play and have fun, outside! Let them have video game time only after homework and after they have had some exercise and outdoor play.
At my home it works well with TV and video games on Friday and Saturday, IF we had a productive week academically, physically, and behaviorally.
On your mark, get set, go! Have an old fashioned race with your children.
My children think they can beat me running, and most days, they are right.
Make an obstacle course in your backyard with hula hoops, broom sticks and tires.
Time each other and the winner gets to pick what's for dinner, doesn't have to do the dishes or gets $5.
00.
Use whatever works to get them moving.
Let them see you working out on the treadmill or going for a jog.
Don't dread working out but look forward to it.
They will want to emulate your healthy habits and join you.
Let them pick a sport that your local department of recreation or school is offering and sign them up.
Please understand that this year it may be soccer and next year tennis or swimming.
Let them try all kinds of sports, they may find one that they want to continue.
Go bike riding as a family.
Emphasize bike safety and healthy living.
Go to a local park with a bike trail or ride around a quiet neighborhood with no traffic.
Children will get excited and want to get on their bikes for the weekly family bike tours.
Have a dance contest.
Let them see you doing your best two step and that you are not embarrassed to move your body.
Let your child pick a theme for the contest and pick a prize.
Let them be a contestant, the judge, and select the winner.
They will want to dance their best and take away the prize! Exercise together as a family! Go for daily walks after dinner.
You can discuss their day and enjoy a sunset.
Walk to a local park, or do a few laps at a school track.
Work out together so you can encourage and spend quality time with each other.
Have a weekly exercise goal and add to their allowance if they reach it.
For the week they must do a certain number of jumping jacks or spend 5-10 minutes a day on the treadmill.
Make it fun, but keep it safe.
Please remember they are children and probably can't run 5 miles a day or do 50 push ups.
Remember to always supervise children on any exercise machines such as treadmills.
Have a daily exercise chart to help them reach their goals.
Also stress fitness rules such as wearing a bike helmet, drinking plenty of water, and getting lots of rest.
Always keep a positive attitude about exercise.
Let them see you excited and happy that you are doing something good for your body.
I believe that starting a healthy exercise regime and fostering healthy attitudes about exercise at an early age will carry over into adulthood.
Teach our children that we have one body and we need to take care of it.
Let's help by teaching them to exercise and move more!
It's amazing to see how far games and computers have come, but with such fun inside it may be harder to get them up and moving to exercise or play outside.
We used to play football outside now they can play football inside on a computer.
These computer video games are fun, but lets get our children moving and have some fun exercising with the family! Here are some ideas to get your children to exercise and move more.
Join an exercise class together.
It can be at your local Y or your living room every Thursday night at 6:00.
Pop in an exercise video and go to town.
Little ones will look forward to that time and will not let you forget your scheduled exercise class! Exercise DVDs, or cable shows are a perfect way to get in shape as a family at home.
Limit TV and video games.
Get them outside to jump rope, throw a baseball, play kickball, or just run around.
Children need fresh air and they need to play and have fun, outside! Let them have video game time only after homework and after they have had some exercise and outdoor play.
At my home it works well with TV and video games on Friday and Saturday, IF we had a productive week academically, physically, and behaviorally.
On your mark, get set, go! Have an old fashioned race with your children.
My children think they can beat me running, and most days, they are right.
Make an obstacle course in your backyard with hula hoops, broom sticks and tires.
Time each other and the winner gets to pick what's for dinner, doesn't have to do the dishes or gets $5.
00.
Use whatever works to get them moving.
Let them see you working out on the treadmill or going for a jog.
Don't dread working out but look forward to it.
They will want to emulate your healthy habits and join you.
Let them pick a sport that your local department of recreation or school is offering and sign them up.
Please understand that this year it may be soccer and next year tennis or swimming.
Let them try all kinds of sports, they may find one that they want to continue.
Go bike riding as a family.
Emphasize bike safety and healthy living.
Go to a local park with a bike trail or ride around a quiet neighborhood with no traffic.
Children will get excited and want to get on their bikes for the weekly family bike tours.
Have a dance contest.
Let them see you doing your best two step and that you are not embarrassed to move your body.
Let your child pick a theme for the contest and pick a prize.
Let them be a contestant, the judge, and select the winner.
They will want to dance their best and take away the prize! Exercise together as a family! Go for daily walks after dinner.
You can discuss their day and enjoy a sunset.
Walk to a local park, or do a few laps at a school track.
Work out together so you can encourage and spend quality time with each other.
Have a weekly exercise goal and add to their allowance if they reach it.
For the week they must do a certain number of jumping jacks or spend 5-10 minutes a day on the treadmill.
Make it fun, but keep it safe.
Please remember they are children and probably can't run 5 miles a day or do 50 push ups.
Remember to always supervise children on any exercise machines such as treadmills.
Have a daily exercise chart to help them reach their goals.
Also stress fitness rules such as wearing a bike helmet, drinking plenty of water, and getting lots of rest.
Always keep a positive attitude about exercise.
Let them see you excited and happy that you are doing something good for your body.
I believe that starting a healthy exercise regime and fostering healthy attitudes about exercise at an early age will carry over into adulthood.
Teach our children that we have one body and we need to take care of it.
Let's help by teaching them to exercise and move more!