Keep Your Kids Fit This Summer
By Brandi Goodman
Summer provides possibilities. You can get outside and explore your surroundings. You can take a walk through a park. You can swim, run, play, and so much more. It can be a bit harder to make your older kids understand this, though. Many want to sit inside and play video games instead. It's important to keep your kids fit this summer, especially when so many missed out on the opportunities for fitness that a school setting provides.
Encourage Bike Riding
Riding a bike is great for the lower body, core strength, and burning calories. Encourage your kids to get outside and ride their bikes with their friends. You can even take a family bike ride to help motivate them to want to get outside and do something exercise-related. Pack a picnic and ride bikes to your destination for a fun family adventure. You can even make it a weekly occurrence.
Bring Them to a Park
Sure, playgrounds are intended for younger kids, but many park spaces offer more than just some basic playground equipment. There's often lots of open green space to be utilized. Bring a Frisbee. Play catch. Take a walk through offered trails. Lots of options exist. Your older kids may still find some equipment usable as well, such as the swings or monkey bars that they can climb and hang from their legs instead of their hands. It's challenging and fun for them.
Sign Them Up for a Sport
You shouldn't push them into a sport they really don't want to play, but if your kids show an interest in something in particular, sign them up. Many sports run through the summer or at least offer some sort of summer camp option that gets them active. See what's available from the school or check into local team options.
Use What You Have
If you've got chalk at home, create a hopscotch board and challenge your kiddos to use it. Maybe you've got hula hoops. Make it a competition to see who can keep the hoop going the longest. Use what you have at home so you can make up some unique games and options that will have your kids wanting to participate.
Make sure your kids are getting outside this summer and enjoying the weather. There's plenty of fitness options that can benefit their bodies. Join them so the whole family can have fun getting fit together.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, Fla.