Getting Your Kids to Exercise More

It’s getting tougher to get children to exercise with all the gadgets and gear that seem to be tying them more and more to the couch. Some video games may help sharpen mental skills. Some TV shows may help them learn different languages. There is a wide variety of entertainment from the couch that it’s getting harder to get kids out of the living room and into the playground.

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How can you get kids to exercise more? Here are some tried-and-tested ideas gathered from friends and relatives who’ve successfully balanced couch potato time with lots of good exercise time with their kids.

1. Exercise as a family. Kids will learn how to appreciate getting fit even more if they see their parents are genuinely interested in exercise too. 5-year-old Max and her parents go to a university’s open grounds every Sunday for a brisk walk around the campus. It’s become a Sunday bonding ritual for the family, with the benefits of good exercise too.
2. Walk the dog. Don’t let Dad walk the dog alone again. Bring your children along during the walk.
3. Play tag. What kid doesn’t want to run around in an open space chasing other kids? Better yet, play tag with your kids. That would make for great memories for them too.
4. Get a home gaming console that encourages movement. If the kids are resistant to getting out of the house and are still holding on to those game control pads, maybe video games that involve players’ actual moves can transition them into exercise better. Think Wii games.
5. Use walking time as bonding time. When she was a child, Cherry’s grandfather would take her along during his morning walks. During these moments together, he would share stories about the war and his younger days. Their walks around the neighborhood built not only their endurance but their relationship as well.
6. Blend activity into daily routines. Teach kids to take stairs instead of elevators.
7. Set play dates in playgrounds. Encourage interaction among children among slides and monkey bars, not just dollhouses and train sets.
8. Bring out the bicycles. Bicycling is great aerobic activity. And think about all the sights you and your children can explore as you bicycle around town together!
9. Schedule exploring sessions. Curiosity is strong among children. Why not engage their senses by taking them on hikes? Check out kid-friendly hiking trails in your area.
10. Don’t be afraid to let the kids get dirty. One strong hindrance to playtime is getting stains on those cute clothes. The more they stay put, the cleaner their clothes will stay, yes. That gets quite limiting for children, doesn’t it? Let go of that possible fear or disdain of washing dirty clothes. Let your kids be kids. The more free they feel, the more they can move around and get fit.

And finally, have fun. While good health is the goal of good exercise, remember that getting fit is more enjoyable when everyone is having fun. And since we’re dealing with children here, fun could be the primary motivation.