It gives you the opportunity to do something together as a family, and get fit at the same time.

I think kids will have a blast with this. The bonus is it gets them up and moving, instead of sitting in front of a video game or the TV.

The game idea is simple, shuffle the deck, then start playing. When it’s your turn, draw a card and complete the exercise. You get points depending on the level of the exercise you accomplish. Fit Deck has several other decks and a games and activities booklet, so you can mix and match once your family masters the exercises in the Junior Deck.

Image Fit Deck

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I think my son would have a blast with this out in the yard with his friends for a stepped up game of backyard football.

The Howler is extremely dynamic, and provides finger grips to help your grasp and to help you hold on for a better throw. When you let go of the big throw the Mega Howler whistles to let everyone know your team means business.

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The American Academy of Orthapedic Surgeons (Say that 5 times really fast!) has a few bicycle safety tips to share with you.

• Always wear a helmet approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
• Make sure the helmet fits snugly but comfortably and does not obstruct vision. It should have a chin strap and buckles that stay securely fastened.
• Studies have shown that wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by up to 95 percent.

• Make certain the bicycle is the proper size for the rider. Appropriately sized frames, handlebar and seat heights, as well as understanding of gear systems, help reduce fractures or sprains.
• Consider wearing knee, wrist and elbow pads to protect bones and joints when falling.
• If you fall off a bicycle, maneuver yourself far away from other danger like moving traffic.
• Proper supervision of younger riders at all times. It is recommended that younger children ride only in enclosed areas.

Here are a few additional tips they offer to help make your bike riding experience more enjoyable and to help you stay safe.

• Wear bright fluorescent colors and avoid biking at night. If biking at night, make sure to have rear reflectors and a working headlight visible from 500 feet away.
• Avoid plastic pedals, which can be slippery when wet and cause your feet to stray off the pedal.
• Stay alert and watch for obstacles.
• Consider using training wheels for young and first-time riders.
• Ride in the direction of traffic and be aware of surrounding traffic.
• Obey all rules of the road; bicycles are vehicles, too.
• Do not ride double, attempt stunts or go too fast.
• Avoid loose clothing and wear appropriate footwear. Use pant leg clips to keep clothing grease-free and out of the bicycle chain.
• Avoid riding on uneven or slippery surfaces. All types of brakes may not work as well when wheels are wet and require more distance to stop.
• Drinking enough fluids, stretching and scheduling routine activity can help avoid injuries related to overuse.
• Ensure the bicycle is properly adjusted for your height and well-maintained. Replace broken or missing parts.

Bike riding is a wonderful family activity, and great exercise if you take a few precautions to make sure that you do it safely.

Image via sxc.hu

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• Let your children help you get your garden started. Teach them how to plant and grow things. It is wonderful to watch your child grow up in tune with nature (versus video games).
• Go fly a kite. It’s still March, which means in many areas there are several windy days as the March winds blow out the cold and blow in the warmth of Spring and Summer.
• Play a game of hide and seek, or tag. Set definite boundaries before you begin to avoid any confusion, and to keep children out of anyplace dangerous. Then run around the yard like you were ten again.
• Go for a bike ride.
• Get the whole family, and the neighbors out in the yard for a game of backyard baseball, or basketball if you have a hoop.
• Go for a walk in the woods, or hiking on a local nature trail.
• Have a campfire in the back yard. If you’re like us you have plenty of sticks and twigs from the winter winds and storms to fuel your fire. Just make sure the children are well supervised, and not playing too close to the fire.
• Get friends and neighbors together for a backyard party.

What are you going to do to get more outside time with your kids this Spring?

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I told her I was looking for them but wasn’t really worried about getting one for Christmas because I didn’t want to put that much effort into it. I told her maybe I’d get one for my son’s birthday, or my own birthday, since I think I want it as much or more than he does.

My phone rang at 6am this morning (on a Sunday morning). By the time I shook the fuzzies off to answer the phone, it had stopped ringing. I checked out the caller ID and called her back. I was worried something was wrong since it was so early.

I called her back, and she said she was at Wal-Mart (Wal-Mart at 6am, and it’s not the day after Thanksgiving?) and they had Wii Fits in stock, and wanted to know if I wanted one. I said of course I’d take one, so she picked me one up. I think they had a limit of 2.

I think that’s the easiest purchase of a difficult to find toy I’ve ever made. I can’t wait to play it, I might have to test it out before Christmas. We got my son a Wii last year for Christmas, and my hubby and I tested it out several times to make sure it worked before Santa came.

Image via Amazon

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The configurable balance beam includes 27 straight and curved pieces that can be put together in a variety of ways, so kids aren’t walking across the same straight line constantly as they would with traditional balance beam toys.  I like that the pieces are different colors which can be used to create different games.  I also like that the Configurable Balance Beam is large and can hold up to 220 lbs.  It’s meant for ages 3 and up.

With all that said, I don’t like the price of the Configurable Balance Beam.  At $119.95, I’m not sure the toy would bring a value to justify that price tag.  I should note that the pieces are made of polyethylene and the manufacturer makes playground equipment, so I have to assume the quality is good, but that’s still a lot of money.  At around $50 or less, I’d buy this product right now, but at $119.95, I don’t think so.  The shipping is high too at $29.15 for ground delivery.

What do you think?  Worth it or not?

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