How to Keep Your Kids Active
By Sara Butler
No parent really wants their children to spend every moment outside of school on an electronic device or watching television. Humans were made to move -- and kids must move their bodies and stay active to ensure they stay healthy. Here are a few ways you can encourage your kids to move more.
Keep Your Focus on the Physical
When your child is not at school or doing other recreational activities, it’s still important to keep the focus on the physical. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that children get 60 minutes of activity per day such as aerobic or strengthening activities. You can do that by signing up your children for sports programs or recreation teams at your community center, school, church, or local gym. Give your child options and let them choose a sport or activity that appeals to them. Of course, you can always do a physical activity together in the evenings, such as swimming, biking, walking, going to the park, or just tossing a ball around in the front yard.
Do Things as a Family
In the evenings and on the weekends, as your schedule allows, come up with things you can do with your family in order for everyone to get a little exercise. A few things you could do include:
- A sprinkler party for the kids in the neighborhood
- Volunteering at a local shelter, animal shelter, or nursing home
- A part-time job for older kids
- Home improvement projects the family can do together
- Cooking classes
- Tour museums
- Go to a state park nearby
- Go canoeing or kayaking
At the end of the day, both literally and figuratively, the best thing you can do for your child is to spend time with them. Take time to do activities with your children and just spend time with them. It encourages family bonding and will be relaxing for all of you.
Childhood obesity is a problem in this country. But the good news is that you can have a direct impact on your kids to help them grow healthy and avoid disease by showing them how important physical activity is to a healthy body and mind. Talk to your kids about exercise, why it’s good for them, and how they can get more of it. If you need help, discuss it with the chiropractors at The Joint!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Downey, Calif.