Top 10 Ways To Get Kids To Exercise (without Telling Them They" re Exercising)
Now that the weather is starting to warm up, my kids want to be outside as much as possible. I'm encouraging this, and also trying to get myself out there to join them. I know I'm not nearly as active as I should be, and during the cold winter months neither were they. It's too easy to stay inside and watch cartoons or play computer games (or fight with each other and completely destroy my house!..) The experts recommend that kids under 18 should have at least 60 minutes of activity a day, 5 days a week. But heaven forbid you should tell your kids they need to exercise. You'll most likely be met with cries of "but mo-om, I don't wanna exercise, I wanna PLAY!"
The trick is to get them moving by making them think they are just playing. Here are 10 suggestions:
1. Do your kids like video games? Invest in ones that force kids to move in order to win. Games like Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution, Active Life Outdoor Challenge and the like are examples. These are great ways to stay active when the weather outside isn't cooperating.
2. If your neighborhood has a pool, be sure to take advantage of it during the warm months. If not, consider joining your local YMCA or aquatic center that has an indoor heated pool that you can use year-round. Kids have so much fun swimming and jumping and splashing that they'll never know they are getting exercise.
3. Do you have a pet dog? Let your child take on more of the dog-walking duties. Not only will your dog enjoy the attention but your child will benefit from the activity as well as the responsibility of helping to care for a pet. Don't have a dog? Consider giving in to your children's pleas and adopt one. Yes, they are somewhat high-maintenance but as any dog-lover will tell you, they are well worth it.
4. Do a chore rotation. Household jobs like vacuuming, taking out the trash, mowing the lawn and dusting all count as activity. Make up a chore chart and switch it up each week so that nobody has to do the same thing week after week.
5. Reward your kids by taking a walk to the nearest store (instead of driving). They won't realize they are walking for exercise if you're going to the store to buy a treat (preferably something healthy. Remember the whole point of this is to get fit!) If there isn't a store near you within a reasonable walking distance, walk to some other destination that they like - a park, a friend's house, whatever.
6. Kids like a little competition. Buy everyone a cheap pedometer and have a step contest. Keep track of everyone's daily steps and at the end of the week, the winner gets some sort of prize or special privilege.
7. Organize your own backyard Olympics. Have your kids help you think of events, like relay races, obstacle courses, etc. Let them invite their friends over to participate. Award medals to the winners.
8. Dancing is a really fun way to exercise. Let the kids produce their own music videos. They can choose the song, choreograph the dance moves, design the set and costumes, and perform while you run the camcorder. They'll love watching their own productions and get exercise in the process.
9. Winning awards help to keep kids motivated. The President's Challenge Active Lifestyle Award encourages kids to have at least 60 minutes of activity a day to work towards an award. Visit www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx and sign up for this free program. Kids can earn awards like Presidential patches, shirts, etc. in as little a month.
10. Let your kids vent their frustrations on a homemade punching bag. Place a 40-50 lb bag of sand in an old duffel bag, then fill the rest of the space with old rags or fabric. Tape securely around the bag so that the sand doesn't come out, and wrap foam around the bag to protect knuckles. Hang it up by the handles from a sturdy bar or hook and punch away! This is a great way to relieve stress as well as get in a good cardio workout.
The trick is to get them moving by making them think they are just playing. Here are 10 suggestions:
1. Do your kids like video games? Invest in ones that force kids to move in order to win. Games like Wii Fit, Dance Dance Revolution, Active Life Outdoor Challenge and the like are examples. These are great ways to stay active when the weather outside isn't cooperating.
2. If your neighborhood has a pool, be sure to take advantage of it during the warm months. If not, consider joining your local YMCA or aquatic center that has an indoor heated pool that you can use year-round. Kids have so much fun swimming and jumping and splashing that they'll never know they are getting exercise.
3. Do you have a pet dog? Let your child take on more of the dog-walking duties. Not only will your dog enjoy the attention but your child will benefit from the activity as well as the responsibility of helping to care for a pet. Don't have a dog? Consider giving in to your children's pleas and adopt one. Yes, they are somewhat high-maintenance but as any dog-lover will tell you, they are well worth it.
4. Do a chore rotation. Household jobs like vacuuming, taking out the trash, mowing the lawn and dusting all count as activity. Make up a chore chart and switch it up each week so that nobody has to do the same thing week after week.
5. Reward your kids by taking a walk to the nearest store (instead of driving). They won't realize they are walking for exercise if you're going to the store to buy a treat (preferably something healthy. Remember the whole point of this is to get fit!) If there isn't a store near you within a reasonable walking distance, walk to some other destination that they like - a park, a friend's house, whatever.
6. Kids like a little competition. Buy everyone a cheap pedometer and have a step contest. Keep track of everyone's daily steps and at the end of the week, the winner gets some sort of prize or special privilege.
7. Organize your own backyard Olympics. Have your kids help you think of events, like relay races, obstacle courses, etc. Let them invite their friends over to participate. Award medals to the winners.
8. Dancing is a really fun way to exercise. Let the kids produce their own music videos. They can choose the song, choreograph the dance moves, design the set and costumes, and perform while you run the camcorder. They'll love watching their own productions and get exercise in the process.
9. Winning awards help to keep kids motivated. The President's Challenge Active Lifestyle Award encourages kids to have at least 60 minutes of activity a day to work towards an award. Visit www.presidentschallenge.org/the_challenge/active_lifestyle.aspx and sign up for this free program. Kids can earn awards like Presidential patches, shirts, etc. in as little a month.
10. Let your kids vent their frustrations on a homemade punching bag. Place a 40-50 lb bag of sand in an old duffel bag, then fill the rest of the space with old rags or fabric. Tape securely around the bag so that the sand doesn't come out, and wrap foam around the bag to protect knuckles. Hang it up by the handles from a sturdy bar or hook and punch away! This is a great way to relieve stress as well as get in a good cardio workout.
