How do I get my kids to be more active?

HOW DO I ENCOURAGE MY KIDS TO BE MORE ACTIVE?!?

Wait for it...Role Model. Now you can let go of any guilt that you may have held on to when you head out for your run or join your favourite online workout class! Kids, regardless of age, are influenced by their parent's health behaviours (and unhealthy behaviours). It's a simple case of monkey see, monkey do! So, even if your kids prefer Xbox to the basketball net right now, take some comfort in the fact that your exercise behaviours DO have an impact on your children.

Now, here's some more practical advice that goes beyond turning off the wifi in the house for a period of time every day (which I do recommend).

Play with them. There are so many creative ways to be active with your children but it's important to find out things that they enjoy. FUN is the biggest factor for exercise adherence in adults...so it's no surprise that it's the same for our children.

The following are suggestions that are sure to have you and your children moving, laughing and connecting. If you aren't sure what some of these games are...ask your kids to teach you! Check out the link below too!!

  • Hopscotch

  • Tic Toc Dances

  • Tic Toc Fitness Challenges

  • Kick the Can

  • Tag

  • Grounders

  • Four Square

  • Driveway Basketball

  • Monkey in the Middle

  • Skipping

  • Double Dutch

  • Go for a run and ask for your kids to accompany you on their bike

  • Bike Ride

  • Ball Hockey

https://www.wired.com/2009/08/simpleoutdoorplay/

Nikki Fraser