Active Kids are Healthy Kids

One thing we all know is that active kids are healthy kids. Active children develop strong bones, are able to control their weight, and usually feel better about themselves and those around them.

I have noticed that whenever we visit the park or just ride our bikes around the neighborhood, there are a lot of kids playing outside! It’s great to know that those kids are being active and not just sitting around watching TV or playing video games.

Seeing all the kiddos out playing inspired me to write a post about keeping our kids healthy by keeping them active. Remember: It’s always more exciting and fun for our children when we get out there and play with them! 🙂

My daughter and I came up with 10 quick and almost free ways to keep kids active all summer long.

1. Ride bikes or scooters. This is one of my daughter’s favorite outdoor activities. If your child already has a bike or scooter, you’re good to go! Depending on their age, let them ride up and down the block, in the cul-de-sac, or around the neighborhood. If they’re old enough, they could even ride to a nearby park and get some additional exercise while there.
2. Visit the playground. Spending an hour or two at the playground will allow your children to exercise every muscle in their bodies. Between swinging, climbing, running and sliding, they are sure to get a full-body workout.
3. Take a walk. Our family takes walks after dinner. Our kids really open up during our walks and share things they probably wouldn’t otherwise, so you could also use walks to increase bonding in your family. You could go around the block, neighborhood or anywhere your heart desires.
4. Play in water. If you have access to a community or neighborhood pool, visit frequently to get some great exercise! Swimming and playing in the sun and water have a relaxing effect, so you may get an added bonus when you return home!
5. Play tag. No one can resist a game of tag!
6. Have a dance party. Even if it’s raining or too hot outside, you can still get some much-needed exercise. Just turn on some music and dance around for about 20 minutes. Play freeze dance or copy each other’s dance moves. Laughter is considered exercise too! 🙂
7. Jump rope. Jumping rope is a great way to get the heart pumping. Have a contest to see who can jump the longest. Then switch it up and try some tricks like swinging the rope backwards or jumping on one foot. If you have at least 3 people and longer ropes, you could try your hand at Double Dutch.
8. Play hopscotch. If you have sidewalk chalk, you’re ready to go! There are many variations to try or just make up your own rules.
9. Play kickball. All you need is a ball and space to run. Set out markers for the bases and you’re all set to play kickball!
10. Play badminton. This game is a lot of fun and will give you a great workout. Chasing that birdie around is hard work! You can easily find an inexpensive badminton set at the dollar store, Wal-Mart or Target.

So those are just 10 of my daughter’s favorite outdoor activities. Hopefully, this list will inspire your family to become more active and to get some exercise while having fun!

Are there any free or low-cost kid activities that your family participates in? Leave them in the comments. We’re always open to new ideas! 🙂

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