Do you why so many American children are overweight? Time spent in front of the television, snacking, is one of the primary causes of obesity. Get your child away from the TV and outside, doing something that challenges his body and mind. The following list of ten activities will give you a point of reference as you come up with ways to get your child active.
Register your kid for an organized sport. Tennis lessons. Put up a volleyball net in your yard. Sign up for a race with your child and start running together. Just try different activities until you find one your child likes.
Put together a friendly scavenger hunt. Talk ahead of time with neighbors and come up with a list of things all over the area the kids have to find.
Teach your child to walk a dog. If you don't have a dog, have your neighbor ask your child to please walk their dog for them, as a favor.
Set up a hide and seek game - outside. If your kids are older, set up a flashlight tag game for after dark.
Invest in inexpensive but fun family outdoor games, like horse shoes or frisbee. Set up the game and invite the cousins over.
Pass out jump ropes and hold a competition. Buy a couple different types of jump ropes so you can have chinese jump ropes, long jump ropes, and individual jump ropes. Give out inexpensive prizes, like bubbles or silly string.
Look for summer camps that feature active themes. If you need childcare this summer, check into YMCA and local community camps that include exercise in the programs.
Put your child in charge of mowing the lawn. Any ten-year-old can probably handle at least half the lawn per day.
Pull out the old Twister mat. See who is the most flexible of the bunch.
Take your child for a hike or after-dinner stroll. Or hop on bikes together. Or put up a basket ball hoop and start teaching him or her how to shoot. If you get active with your children, your kids will be much more willing to exercise. Be the example you want your child to grow up to be, and watch their enthusiasm grow!
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