Kids are usually energetic, but often they’ll go through periods where they just don’t seem to want to move at all. In those times, it’s vital to be involved in getting your kids to be active and helping them enjoy exercise. It’s important for kids to exercise from a young age, both for the immediate health benefits and so they can build healthy habits that they will keep for the rest of their life. Getting your kids up and moving needn’t be difficult if you use a few simple tricks.
Monkey See, Monkey Do
If you’re sitting around and not looking too active, your kids will hardly feel like doing anything physical. However, if you’re willing to at least initiate some exercise then your kids will soon follow. By the time they’ve started, your trouble may be getting them to stop! Often you’ll just have to get the ball rolling - get the footies out or set up the stumps and they’ll take it from there. They might want you to stay and join in, and that’s where the fun begins. The point is that if your kids look up to you and see you exercising, they’ll want to exercise too.
Play!
Obviously Kids are not as cerebral as adults and so they won’t want to exercise purely for the sake of exercising. In fact, kids don’t often think of it as exercising at all - more as playing or simply as mucking around. By playing, kids will inadvertently be exercising as well as having fun and reaping the rewards of socialising.
This can come in many forms - organised sports are available to children of all ages, such as Auskick and Milo In2Cricket which emphasise enjoyment and participation from a young age. As they grow older than can join proper teams. Kids will also learn about teamwork and camaraderie - valuable things to experience at a young age.
If organised sports aren’t available, you can still play! There are numerous games you can play, many of which require very little equipment such as frisbee, kicking a ball or even running races - the possibilities are endless! And of course, don’t forget the good old trampoline for hours of healthy entertainment.
Physical Outings
Make your next outing one that gets that kids moving as well as having fun. Try going for a bike ride as a family or to a special track, swimming at the beach or bushwalking. This way you’re taking the kids to new and exciting place and can get them involved in the planning of the day - things like helping them pack their own lunch or get everything ready, all the while spending quality time together as a family.
TV can be healthy!
Most kids love playing video games, and with the new range of Wii fit games on the market they can now do so while exercising! These games encourage progression and improvement, allowing kids to set their own goals to try and reach them.
Alternatives
If for some reason your kids are bored of ‘normal’ activities, try some alternatives if they’re available such as Ice Skating or sailing. Your kids will learn a new skill and you never know - you might just be introducing a future olympian to their sport!
Monkey See, Monkey Do
If you’re sitting around and not looking too active, your kids will hardly feel like doing anything physical. However, if you’re willing to at least initiate some exercise then your kids will soon follow. By the time they’ve started, your trouble may be getting them to stop! Often you’ll just have to get the ball rolling - get the footies out or set up the stumps and they’ll take it from there. They might want you to stay and join in, and that’s where the fun begins. The point is that if your kids look up to you and see you exercising, they’ll want to exercise too.
Play!
Obviously Kids are not as cerebral as adults and so they won’t want to exercise purely for the sake of exercising. In fact, kids don’t often think of it as exercising at all - more as playing or simply as mucking around. By playing, kids will inadvertently be exercising as well as having fun and reaping the rewards of socialising.
This can come in many forms - organised sports are available to children of all ages, such as Auskick and Milo In2Cricket which emphasise enjoyment and participation from a young age. As they grow older than can join proper teams. Kids will also learn about teamwork and camaraderie - valuable things to experience at a young age.
If organised sports aren’t available, you can still play! There are numerous games you can play, many of which require very little equipment such as frisbee, kicking a ball or even running races - the possibilities are endless! And of course, don’t forget the good old trampoline for hours of healthy entertainment.
Physical Outings
Make your next outing one that gets that kids moving as well as having fun. Try going for a bike ride as a family or to a special track, swimming at the beach or bushwalking. This way you’re taking the kids to new and exciting place and can get them involved in the planning of the day - things like helping them pack their own lunch or get everything ready, all the while spending quality time together as a family.
TV can be healthy!
Most kids love playing video games, and with the new range of Wii fit games on the market they can now do so while exercising! These games encourage progression and improvement, allowing kids to set their own goals to try and reach them.
Alternatives
If for some reason your kids are bored of ‘normal’ activities, try some alternatives if they’re available such as Ice Skating or sailing. Your kids will learn a new skill and you never know - you might just be introducing a future olympian to their sport!
Zak Kardachi is a fit and active person who firmly believes in the holistic benefits of a healthy lifestyle. For more articles written by Zak visit http://www.health.com.au/blog.
