http://www.healthyfamilymatters.com/get-more-active-with-your-kids/ April 3, 2013

Get More Active With Your Kids

Healthy Family Articles

With all of the technology out there today, gett ing the kids outside and out f rom in f ront of thevarious light up screens can prove challenging. There is always a new video game to play, a website to check out, and a television show to watch.

Physical act ivity is important to both young and old, so gett ing your children act ive is a greatopportunity to become more act ive yourself . There are plenty of act ivit ies that both you and yourkids will both enjoy, but here are f ive examples to get you started on the new path to a healthylifestyle.

Zoo Trips

Most kids love gett ing to see animals. Going to the zoo is a great way to teach them aboutdif ferent kinds of animals, show them how to t reat other living creatures, and also get act ive. Mostzoos are very large, so walking from one place to another can be more physical act ivity than yourealize. A lot of zoos also of fer services where kids get to know the animals. It ’s not always aboutrunning a marathon or breaking a sweat; any physical act ivity is benef icial to the whole family.

Day at the Park

A day at the park can be excit ing. You can part icipate in exercise, play games, or just have a quietpicnic together. There is also walking, bird watching and so much more. Parks are a great resourcewhen it comes to gett ing children out of the house. Parks with playgrounds are especiallybenef icial for gett ing children in the swing of exercise.

Bike Rides

Riding bikes together is a great bondingexperience for any family unit . For thosewith younger children, this is a great t imeto teach your kids a new skill. If you alsohave older kids, it ’s a wonderful chancefor them to get to teach someone anew skill, and also create a memorybetween your kids they can enjoy therest of their lives. Bike t rips can be assmall as riding around the block, or asextravagant as riding down a boardwalk.Any act ive out ing such as this is a greatway to get kids out and about, and alsoteach them how to build muscle, whichis important to learn at any age.

Historic Walking Tour

Many major cit ies, along with smaller towns, have the opt ion of taking historic tours. By choosingto take the walking tour, you’re teaching your children about the past while gett ing them up andact ive. At Valley Forge, there are even kid-centered act ivit ies such as f iguring out mysteries. During

these act ivit ies, kids are encouraged to run around and search for clues. They will get physicalact ivity while working out their brains as well.

Nature Trails

Nature t rails are another great way to get kids moving and thinking at the same t ime. Nature t railsgive endless paths and trails to walk, run or bike down. While on the trail, you can challenge yourkids to “I spy” or collect ing a certain object . This will get them searching and scouring theirsurroundings, learning how to keep track of their surroundings. If you’re more nature-inclined, itmay also serve as a way to teach your kids new facts about nature.

By Lauren Wainwright, a professional writer with a love of history and culture. Follow her at@laurwain on Twit ter!