Encouraging regular exercise/activity improves health and struggles with weight. Ideally, children should engage in a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. Getting active should be a good mixture of indoor and outdoor activities, and parents play an important role in encouraging kids to be physically active!
Outdoor Activities and Encouraging Your Child’s Participation
One type of activity that children can participate in is outdoor activities. There are many outdoor games that children may find fun and interesting – even more so than their usual share of video games! Some classic games to try include Hide and Seek, Hokey Pokey, Follow the Leader and Tag. The majority of children are active learners. They will eventually find enthusiasm to play these games because they can spark curiosity and friendly competition. Four Square and Hopscotch, for example, not only drive children to be physically active and fit, but teach them how to count and work with numbers. Outdoor play can be both educational and recreational.
Invest in a Playground
The right equipment and playground design can play an important role in establishing strength and balance. It also offers your child a chance to grow and develop critical skills such as imagination, creativity, social skills, problem solving and sense of self.
Parents can invest in creating a playground in their outside space. Dig in the soil and build under the shadows. The play area does not have to be as big like in schools and malls. Parents can keep it simple with the right components. The simplest thing like a sandbox or a garden can do the trick. The important thing is to offer kids a place where they will be inspired and encouraged to participate more in physical activity. Children will not learn properly unless given the chance.
Go Geocaching
Technology is often always blamed for a child’s lack of exercise, but when you think about it, parents also play a vital role in controlling their technology use. Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, was known to be a low-tech parent. He strictly limited his children’s screen time and the kids didn’t have the chance to experience using an iPad when it first hit the shelves. With proper control over technology, parents can peacefully create a healthy lifestyle for their kids.
Technology can be used in a great way to get the family to go outdoors. Kids can enjoy hiking much more when it is paired with technology. Joining geocaching clubs can give kids the thrill of discovery and delight in finding treasures in different places. Geocaching uses a mobile device’s GPS to find caches. Caches are typically a small waterproof container consisting of small toys. Kids can not only find the pleasure of hunting caches, but also have fun in hiding them!
Activity Challenge
The best way to encourage most people to take on physical activity is to challenge them. The same can be applied to children. Parents can try to do activity challenges with their kids to bring-up a healthier life orientation. For instance, an entire family can attend a fun run regularly or do charity walks. It does not have to be a full marathon or competition. It just needs to be good fun! Doing things for a cause can also be inspiring for kids in the long-run.
Get in Touch with Nature
Plant new ideas in your child’s mind by introducing them to gardening! You can start by making a theme for his/her first garden. For example, all the seeds can include the makings of a pizza or could be as simple as a flower bed that has their favorite color.
Start by giving kids a packet of seeds, gardening tools and a spot in the garden. Let them plant as they please and make them feel comfortable about the responsibility of taking care of a plant. Once the seed has grown, let them show-off their masterpiece by making a healthy pizza or by displaying flowers in a vase where everyone can see.
Organize an Outdoor Play Time
Create a weekly football match and let family and friends join the fun. Engaging in two to three hours of pickup games such as football, baseball or soccer can kids kids a good workout. You can also team-up with co-moms and let other kids join-in on a friendly match.
Encourage Clubs
Parents can also encourage their kids to join sports or activity clubs to help develop their interest in maintaining an active lifestyle. A club can develop regular interest and discipline. There are many types of groups at school where kids can participate in swimming, tennis, soccer, dance, etc. Kids also get to learn proper exercise and team commitment.
Devote Time to Family
Aside from challenging your kids to get active, you should also devote this time to interacting with your children and engaging in activities together. Kids often mimic what their parents do, including exercise! Adults should act like role models for kids to adopt healthy mindsets and practice skills. The time and effort that parents exert affects the mindsets of their children.
About the Author:
Aby Leage is a qualitative researcher and passionate writer. She is an innovator and technology enthusiast. She writes about health, psychology, home improvement and technology. To know more, follow her on Twitter at @abyleague.
