Keeping Kids Active Year Round - 10 Great Ideas

Despite national recommendations that kids get a total of at least 60 minutes of moderate to heavy exercise each day, research suggests that fewer than half do, and teenagers are even worse.  Physical activity is important in childhood because active kids have better mental health, stronger bones, and the exercise helps fight childhood obesity. Parents should motivate kids to keep moving, no matter the temperature outside!


Physical Education classes in school are often times not enough. While kids go outside to parks and playgrounds in warm weather, during the Winter they tend to be trapped indoors, and extra effort from care givers to keep them active is very important. Even the NFL has started a campaign, Play 60, encouraging children to get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity year round. 


There are several options available to help make it happen, from signing up to programs from the city, sports in clubs, schools or fitness centers, to simply exercising together at home. Kids respond so well to family activities, and that is a great opportunity to have fun together, while strengthening muscles and burning calories. Here are a few ideas to help keep your little ones active:


1) Fitness DVDs - have a couple of fun exercise DVDs at home, for a good 60 minute family workout.


2) Indoor Games - put together a few indoor games, basics such as a ball (even a balloon) to play volleyball and a basket for basketball, tapes to draw a court line on the carpet. A jumprope competition, stations with different types of activities, or a hula hoop tournament. All good and creative alternatives.


3) Indoor swimming classes - great activity of low impact that kids love!


4) Dancing - create a choreography and practice for an hour. Guaranteed fun!


5) Indoor playground - many parks, schools, malls and fast food places have indoor playgrounds. Take kids to those places, and encourage them to play and also walk around at a fast pace.


6) Do-it-yourself exercise card - make your own Exercise Cards by writing one exercise activity on each blank card. Write the number of times the exercise activity should be repeated. If you are feeling creative, decorate your cards (see picture above). Try drawing stick figures performing each activity.


7) Play “keep the balloon up” - use one balloon per child or one balloon per small group. The group may add additional balloons as they gain control and awareness.


8) Sitting exercise - do a variety of arm, leg, foot, and trunk exercises while remaining seated. Make sure you use fun music.

9) Play "fitness with the leader" - a "follow the leader" game using exercises.


10) Interactive video games - if your kids are older than 2, try some interactive video games such as Wii Fitness once a week. Make sure they don't turn into couch potatoes instead!


Sources: Escapade Direct, about.com, foodlinkny.org